EPS RANGE RELEASE 2015

Posted in: News

It has taken some time to nail down a consistent source of quality EPS foam, but I now have a warehouse full of the best EPS foam on the planet.I have resisted releasing a range before I had my hands on the right foam. This foam is blown under more pressure in a blank mould so the pellets are more fused and less likely to absorb water if dinged.  Additionally the denser pellet fusion makes for a little less air in the blank meaning less buoyancy, which lands this foam half way between the float of PU and the cheap block polystyrene you see commonly used in Australia and elsewhere.

This block foam has given EPS boards a bad name as many surfers feel they bounce around too much in chop, and indeed they do. Another problem is when glassing an EPS core – the opportunity for lightness is taken too far and most are made too light and often too weak. Super lightness also means that momentum is lost when the board is confronted with bumpy conditions or strong offshores. The fact we load up our tow boards with lead to keep them running in massive conditions demonstrates my point. Perhaps the biggest problem with this foam is excessive heat. Left in a back of a car they can pop the glass because the air expanding inside of them. For this reason some have an expansion valve inserted. Consequently sourcing the good stuff has taken an eternity but now finally I have the core that is necessary.

EPS MCH 3 PLAN SHAPE
With my latest range the fused pellet core is only one of the benefits. All my range is stringerless and laminated with double diagonal laminates which from a strength issue are much stronger than a stringer and standard laminate construction. Their flex pattern is also a lot more exciting- you can really feel their twang. The mixture of double 4oz and 6oz laminates also adds a little more weight, but they are still under the weight of a normal PU, but twice as strong! As explained above they have more buoyancy than the PU but not to the point where they bounce around like their more buoyant cousins

I have also included various carbon tensile stomp pads and tail wraps to protect heavy traffic areas.  All of my EPS range is fitted with power Base boxes with the rears being longer for personal customization. This is of course, optional – many customers like to nominate their own fin system.

MODELING
This year I will be introducing specific EPS models to my new EPS range. These designs will only be available in my EPS construction.  My current PU range can be also made in EPS if ordered.