At the Canary top spot Pozo Izquierdo, Europe’s windsurfing epicenter, planes are nothing special. At high season, the gigantic machines rush over the heads of the surfers by minute cycle, in order to release for vacation thousands of sun-prone tourists at the near airport. Hardly any board sportsman on the water wonders about what in heaven the planes have got to do with their windsurf boards. However, there is a significant link because for their high jumps, aircraft technology is responsible as well. 

Carbon – all wish to have it, not everybody can afford it

The magic word is “carbon”. As fibers alone or processed to fabric, this high-tech material is the cue for light but solid and especially effective boards. In comparison with surfboards of far simpler construction, windsurf boards have to stand forces which are significantly higher.   

Who races across the water with up to 90 km/h needs a light but solid base. These features are accomplished by a complicated material mix. Manufacturing high-quality windsurf boards therefore means to laminate the carbon fabric mats together with other basic material around a special core of cellular material. Carbon is not only light and extremely stiff at the same time, but also less prone to absorb resin during lamination, which again reduces the weight of the end product. 

The carbon fiber composure, which is treated in modern windsurf boards and also increases the efficiency of windsurf masts and booms, is more up to date than ever. The material is being treated in barrels by the two biggest aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing in their construction of the new wide-bodied aircrafts. Space travel, sports car manufacturing and the military as well have made good experience with the feathery marvel material. As a logical consequence of this, prices are increasing.  

Aircraft and windsurf industry use the same technology

Especially Airbus hits hard on the world-wide market. Its new flagship, the A380, comprises an especially high amount of K1 carbon, which lends excellent features to modern windsurf boards as well. Demand exceeds offer by far, and producers of carbon fibers do not keep up with regard to production. Therefore, alternatives are being searched for in the windsurfing world, which should be less expensive but still equal with regard to high quality.

The solution of this urgent problem carries the name “Technora” – the new material compensates its slightly more weight and less stiffness than carbon with higher stability, because this is exactly the weak point with carbon. Treated two dimensional, as it is common with windsurf boards, carbon is prone to dings. Improper handling may thus lead to a whole in the board. This happens in most cases during transportation or on shore. Once immersed in the element of water, carbon plays to its strength. All in all one can say that Technora is by no means a second choice as an alternative base material, but rather embodies a minimal shift between efficiency and user friendliness.  

Hobby Surfers can breathe a Sigh of Relief

Hobby surfers, who have thrown their hands up in horror because of the high prices of the current high-tech materials, can be tranquilized, too. Exclusive windsurf equipment, based on modern research and technology, can help to tease out the last percentage of equipment and to guarantee maximum efficiency as well under marginal conditions. However, in order to have lots of fun on water, it is no prerequisite. Nevertheless, especially hobby surfers profit from the continuous development of the material, as today it is significantly better in every aspect, compared to the standard of only some years ago…and much lighter as well, thanks to carbon and Technora!

Links

Regardless of increasing prices, some producers still count on carbon as basic material:

The board brand JP Australia gives detailed insight into the construction of windsurf boards. 

For the German brand Lorch, the treating of carbon represents an essential part in their business strategy. The magic word here is “full carbon”.

“Pat-a-car”: Carbon in the Sports Car Industry (German article). 

German newspaper "Die Welt" covers Airbus and the treatment of carbon during the construction of the A380 (German article).