Everything On The Inside... Brought To You By US Blanks (Pt. 5: Rocker)

Everything On The Inside

brought to you by...

US Blanks

Rocker Selection

by David Scales, US Blanks

We’ve been hosting a tutorial series detailing how to select the precise correct blank for your surfboard build. It’s easy to pick a blank that works, but our goal with this series is to find a blank that generates the least amount of physical waste while allowing you to focus on fine tuning the details such as contours, subtle curves, foil, channels, etc. In past lessons we’ve covered Foam Selection, Density Selection, Blank Size Selection, and Stringer Selection. Today we will focus on Rocker Selection.

WHAT IS ROCKER?

Rocker is the amount of rise in the Nose and Tail, as measured from the bottom plane of the blank. In other words, it’s the curve that you can see from the profile view of the blank. Rocker is a vital element when considering board design. Rocker is a highly influential component of speed and turning radius. The basic hydrodynamic principles to consider here are:

1) Lesser Rocker (i.e. flatter) = More Speed

2) More Rocker (i.e. curve) = Tighter Turning Radius

Your goal is find the right amount of flatness to allow maximum speed, but then the right amount of curve to control that speed through turns. One design consideration is that these two features contradict one another. When a board is tracking straight along the water’s surface, that upward curve in the Nose pushes water. Pushing water slows the forward momentum. However, once you turn the board on it’s side and the rail line is in the water, that curve will naturally lead the board through a turn. The more curve in the rail line, the tighter the turning radius.

So again, the goal with Rocker Selection is to select the right combination of flatness and curve for your desired speed and control (i.e., turning radius). Every board design has a different ideal Rocker based on the other design components, the surfer, the specific waves where the board will be ridden, and a variety of other variables. 

Every US Blanks blank is engineered with a “Natural Rocker” that is designed

to meet the widest variety of needs for that blank’s style. For example, our Shortboard

blanks have increased Nose rocker to accommodate for high-performance surfing

whereas our Fish blanks have flatter Nose rocker to accommodate for speed in smaller

surf.

NATURAL ROCKER

The Rocker is written as an equation (using the Imperial System). That equation is written as, the amount of rise in the Nose, followed by the amount of rise in the Tail, as measured from the bottom plane of the blank. Let’s use the 6’4” EA as an example:

Natural Rocker 5 1/2”N 2 1/6”T

This indicates that the tip of the Nose is raised 5 1/2” and the Tail is raised 2 1/16” from

the bottom plane of the blank.

ROCKER ADJUSTMENTS

In an effort to allow you to find your exact desired Rocker, we allow for Rocker Adjustments. These adjustments are always written as adjustment from the Natural Rocker and are always adjusted from the center unless otherwise specified. For example, if you wanted your 6’4”EA with increased Nose rocker and increased Tail rocker, you might order:

+1/2”N +1/8”T

This indicates a 1/2” rise in the Nose and a 1/8” rise in the Tail, above the Natural Rocker.

ROCKER ADJUSTED FROM LOCATION OTHER THAN CENTER

You may want a “flipped tip” in the Nose of a shortboard or an excessively rockered Tail for a noserider while maintaining flatness through the middle of the board. For this we allow Rocker adjustments to be made from locations other than center. This is indicated by number of inches from the tip of the Nose or Tail. For the equation, that number is located right after the adjustment height. For example:

+1/2”N18” +1/8”T12”

This indicates a 1/2” rise above the Natural Rocker, but only in the last 18” of the Nose. And a 1/8” rise above the Natural Rocker in the tail, but only in the last 12”.

CLOSING

To recap, the exact right Rocker for your build can only be determined by you. If you’ve carefully selected the right blank for your build, then the Natural Rocker of that blank will likely suit your needs. However, should you feel that you need an adjustment to the Rocker to fulfill a design concept, we can certainly accommodate you. Again, the more precisely we can deliver a blank to you, the less wasted foam and the more you can focus on fine tuning the details of your designs.

US Blanks Rocker Templates

Learn To Shape At Foam E-Z!

We here at Foam E-Z love to build boards! We also like to help others build boards. So naturally we think it's a great idea to offer Professional Shaping Lessons. The lessons are great for everyone, young and old, because each lesson is customized to meet your needs. Sure, you can learn to shape on your own by trial and error, which can be frustrating at times, or you can have someone guiding you along the way. With the help of a professional by your side your board will come out looking, and riding great. Along with books and DVD's, the Foam E-Z Professional Shaping Lessons are another way to educate board builders of every level.

Shape Lesson Facts:

• - Shape lessons are $60/hr.
• - Average shape lesson for a Shortboard or Fish is four (4) hours. Mini-Simmons, Guns, and Longboards can take upwards of five (5) hours.
• - You can bring your buddy, dad, sister, brother, mother, or anyone you'd like to watch at no extra cost.
• - Shape lessons are great for school projects.
• - Every lesson is tailored to suit each student's needs and interests.
• - At the end of the lesson each student will have learned about board design, functionality, basic and advanced shaping techniques.
• All students will walk away with a functional and aesthetically pleasing custom surfboard to be proud of.
• Shaping lessons are for everyone!
• Blanks sold separately (starting at $45.00).
• Paint your board yourself or have us professionally paint it.
• We can print custom logos for you starting at $20.00. Just provide us a high quality PDF or Jpeg. 
• Glass your shaped blank yourself or have us professionally glass it (starting at $200).
• Here is a breakdown of the out the door price of building a shortboard thruster (sand only) complete including your lesson: US Blanks Short Board Blank $60.00; Four Hour Shape Lesson $240; Professional Glassjob $210; GRAND TOTAL $510.00

Click here to view the E-Z ShapeBox Calendar for available dates.

For more information or to schedule a Shape Lesson or Rent the Box email us at Shape@FoamEZ.com

Everything On The Inside... Brought To You By US Blanks (Pt. 4: Stringer Selection)

If you’ve been following our “Everything on the Inside” series, you’ve learned how to select the right foam, density, and blank size for your build. Today we’ll explain your stringer options.The stringer serves 3 main purposes in the surfboard;

            1) Strength

            2) Flex

            3) Aesthetic

With stringer selection, there are no right or wrong choices. Each choice is simply a matter of preference. 

US Blanks offers over 30 different stringer materials and an endless number of “glue-up” configurations, and while most surfboards are built with a stringer, it is in fact, completely optional. Both EPS and PU foam blanks can used to make stringerless surfboards. 

Before we proceed with stringer options, a quick word about the manufacturing process. All US Blanks begin as stringerless foam. All stringers must be glued into a cut blank. All blanks are custom cut and glued to order. US Blanks has an in-house mill, so they can cut and glue-up nearly any conceivable configuration. 

 US Blanks offers 5 solid woods; (Balsa, Basswood, Dark Wood, Cedar, and Redwood), various ply-woods, one   composite (PVC, in red, white, and black), or high-density colored foam.

Each stringer material type has it own rigidity (strength), flex characteristics, and aesthetic. Gluing wood together into plys (or “t-bands”) adds strength and also allows the shaper a unique aesthetic. US Blanks in-house mill allows for wedges, multi-stringers, or curved options such as flares or parabolics. There really is no limitation to the combination of glue-ups available. If you can dream it up, US Blanks can glue it up.

Just keep in mind, as with all surfboard design elements, what you acquire in one area, you may sacrifice in another area, i.e., increasing strength will likely decrease flexibility. Finding the exact balance of strength and flexibility with your desired aesthetic will be your challenge. But rest assured, US Blanks has every possible option available to you.

The endless options can be overwhelming, so as a starting point and a source of inspiration, below are some examples of various glue-up options. 

Stop by the shop or give us a call at 714-896-8233 to order your custom stringered US Blanks today!

Blue High Density Foam T-band

Foam E-Z at Boardroom 2017

            

          Sure, it would be easy to give you a typical rundown of what went down this past weekend at the 2017 Boardroom Show in Del Mar. 

Al Merrick and Icons Of Foam shape-off winner Rex Marechal
(Picture courtesy US Blanks)

           It would be easy to mention that for the tenth year in a row the event was a rare and wonderful opportunity to rub shoulders with the past, present, and future mavericks of the board-building industry. That stoke was passed around like it was free (it is), and that creative innovation was the champion of day. 

           Of course if we were to do that, we would have to mention that the actual champion of the show’s Icons Of Foam shape-off was San Diego County’s very own Rex Marechal in a dogged showdown to replicate one of Kelly Slater’s most iconic Al Merrick surfboards. We would be sure to clarify that this was no simple task, going up against the likes of names like Christenson, Kinoshita, Sakal, and Hinds (just to name a few!). It would likely go without saying that the whole reason for all of it was to rightfully honor Merrick, a man who has been inarguably at the forefront of surfboard progression for near fifty years (but we would probably say it anyways).

            Lastly, we would more than likely make a small jab or two at you if you missed the event, just in jest. We would say if you could have been there, then you definitely should have been there. We would say it was nothing short of an amazing weekend spent with some amazing craftsmen and women.

            That’s what we would say if we were to give you some sort of recap of the events that transpired this past weekend, which it seems we now have.  

These groms won the ultimate prize pack of the day, featuring an Arctic Blank,  Douglas Surf  cloth/resin/ catalyst, and a set of Futures Fins fin boxes and Alpha fins. Now they get to fight over who gets what. 

Giveaway winners

 

Douglas Surf Glassing Demo Station next to Foam E-Z's Booth

Graham Day of Driftwood Caravan Surfboards stoking on his new  E-Z Square and E-Z Shape Pad

Al and Britt Merrick Judging the shapes with their E-Z Square Pro

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth and congrats to those who won our giveaways! See you all down there next year!

Join Us For the Seal Beach Boardriders Hall Of Fame Ball

Over the last year a group of seal beach surfers led by Chad Wells and Mike Reilly have put together a surf club called the seal beach boardriders. The club is made up of over 50 people of all ages and has recently competed against other clubs in organized surf competitions. 

The west coast boardriders series has included teams from Laguna, Huntington Beach, and Newport beach with many more teams coming from the entire coast in 2017. In 2017 there will be more than 4 events. Even though the little sleepy town of Seal Beach has far less residents then the other cities the team has put forth some good showings. Part of the process of building the club is to generate funding to pay for events, help kids go to college and/or pursue their dreams of traveling to the next important surf contest and help support the seal beach surfing community. Due to this need for funding the team decided to put on a fundraising event while incorporating the first of its kind Seal Beach Surfing Hall Of Fame.

On May 5th, 2017, members of Seal Beach’s surfing community will gather at the Golden Sails’ Crystal Ballroom in Long Beach to honor the lives of those that make up the towns’ legendary lineup of local surfers.
The first inductees into the newly created Seal Beach Surfing Hall Of Fame, will be Sean Collins, the creator of surf forecasting website, Surfline; Tim Dorsey,  a Seal Beach lifeguard who pioneered surfing on the North Shore of Oahu in 1957, Jack Haley, the 1959 West Coast Surfing Champion, Denny Buell, a lifeguard and well known surfer in the 1960s and 70s, and Rich Harbour, owner of Harbour Surfboards and often referred too as the Godfather of Seal Beach surfing. 

Tickets can be purchased online at FoamEZ.com. They cost $50 for adults and $10 for minors.
 

For the surf community and community of Seal Beach, the night of camaraderie and family fun is much needed. This years’ historically wet winter caused the Seal Beach Surfing Championships not to run for the first time in a decade. The event put on by Lifeguards is always looked forward to by local surfers.

Let’s all get together this Friday….Eat some good food, listen to some live 80’s music and celebrate the surfing legends that came  from our town all while raising money for the future of seal beach surfing.

CHEERS!
- Chad Wells and Mike Reilly

Everything On The Inside...brought to you by US Blanks (Part 3; BLANK SELECTION)

        

       In Part One we discussed the various foam types available (Polyurethane, Superfused EPS, and Block-Cut EPS). In Part Two we discussed the various densities of foam available and how to find the exact right strength-to-ratio fit. In Part Three, Blank Selection, we’ll help you choose the blank that has just enough foam for your design. 

          

       Selecting the appropriate blank for your build is pretty easy to do, but selecting the RIGHT blank will reduce your time, workload, materials waste, and allow you focus your attention on fine tuning the details of your design.

       US Blanks offers 85 blank models, from Shortboards to Guns to SUPs. Your goal will be to envision your desired final design, and then fit that design within the shape and dimension of the foam blank. For this example, let’s assume that you’d like to build a shortboard with the dimensions 6’1” x 21” x 3”.

No shortage of thickness in these Longboards

      There are 3 main criteria that you’ll assess when selecting the best blank for your build, in this order.

   -Genre (surfboard style)

   -Height

   -Width & Thickness

Genre - US Blanks categorizes their blanks by 6 categories; Shortboard, Fish / Egg, Funboard, Longboard, Gun, SUP. Page 10 of their blank catalog has each Blank grouped by category (see the attached document). Narrowing the genre will help you to find the blank with the correct outline and rocker for your desired design. Obviously, for this example we’ll be selecting Shortboard genre.

Height - Selecting the right height is the best way to reduce wasted material and time in your build. Why buy 10’ of foam when you’re planning to build a 6’ shortboard? That said, it’s best to select a blank with just a couple inches of added height beyond your desired design, just to allow for subtle adjustments or potential errors. Since we’re planning to build a 6’1” shortboard, consider selecting a 6’2” - 6’4” Shortboard blank.

Width & Thickness - Once you’ve selected Genre and Height, you will likely have narrowed your search down to 3 or 4 blank options. The selection can be finalized by determining your desired Width & Thickness. We’d like to net 21” of width and 3” of thickness.

Following our criteria thus far: we have 4 blanks to choose from:

-       6’2” P (http://www.foamez.com/us-blanks-62p-short-board-blank-p-511.html)

-       6’3” EA (http://www.foamez.com/us-blanks-63ea-short-board-blank-p-512.html)

-       6’4” EA (http://www.foamez.com/us-blanks-64ea-short-board-blank-p-845.html)

-       6’4” MB (http://www.foamez.com/us-blanks-64mb-shortboard-groveler-p-1077.html)

Only 1 of those blanks offers enough foam to fit your desired width and thickness, the 6’4” MB.

The US Blanks catalog (http://www.foamez.com/pdfs/US Blanks Product Catalog.pdf) is a terrific resource to become familiar with. 

Once you have the right Foam Type, Density, and Blank Selection, you can dial in the specific Rocker Profile for the style of waves and surfing that you’re board will be built for. We’ll address Rockers in Part Four of this series.