-
The First Surfboards
The Olo and the Alaia are the first surfboards made that we have evidence of. The Olo, made from the Wili Wili tree was ridden by chiefs or noblemen known as the Ali’i. Commoners rode the Alaia, made from the Ula and Koa trees. Surfing for the early Hawaiians was deeply spiritual. Whether they were riding the boards or completing rituals that revolved around building them, a spiritual aspect was involved. Surfing was also a training exercise for Hawaiin chiefs and a conflict resolution. -
Invention of the Hollow Surfboard Continued
Soon thereafter, hollow surfboards became very popular and stayed the go-to choice into the late 1940s. They were much lighter which meant they were easier to transport. Although the board was a much better design, it did not fix the issues with performance. -
Invention of the Hollow Surfboard
Traditional surfboards had a terrible design. They were too heavy and allowed zero movements in the water. So in 1926, a man named Tom Blake created the first hollow surfboard. With new materials and techniques being created, Tom took his knowledge of construction and built himself the first hollow board. He used a wooden framework covered with plywood as well as waterproof glues and varnish to seal the wood. -
The Birth of Fiberglass Surfboards
After world war two, lots of different materials were created with the advances in technology. Among these were fiberglass and styrofoam. The first fiberglass surfboard was created by a man named Pete Peterson in 1946. The surfboard was made from a plastic mold and was sealed with fiberglass tape. There were other men who were significant in innovating the fiberglass board, among them is Bob Simmons. Simmons' first fiberglass board was called the sandwich. -
The Birth of the Fiberglass Board Continued
It had a styrofoam core that was covered in a layer of plywood, had balsa wood rails, and was coated in fiberglass. -
The Mushroom Surfboard
A company called Ecotive Design is taking surfboard building to the next level. They don’t produce their surfboards, they grow them. They use mycelium, the thread-like substance that is produced from fungi. Mycelium is a very adaptable material and can be shaped into anything. It is also 100% biodegradable, fixing the issue with polyurethane. This technology is still being perfected but it is paving the way for a greener way in the surfing world.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERthhFJ4BE