Thursday, April 27, 2017

Surfboards Made From Lemongrass Could Help the Environment

If you follow our blog, you know we have posted several posts about surfers and designers who are coming up with ways to make surfing more environmentally friendly. You might be thinking that surfers love the environment. And of course, they do. They thrive on its well-being. But as consumers in general, we often have very little idea of the resources it takes to create what we consume. One has to be incredibly aware to make consumer decisions that help—not hurt—the earth and its inhabitants. 

Thankfully, there are a number of people who are concerned about the byproducts from creating surfboards. One of these individuals is a farmer named Meg McDougall from Australia's Golden Coast. She is making prototypes of lemongrass surfboards that could prove promising in the future of eco-friendly boards. According to an article from The Intertia, McDougall found that in the lemongrass,
"the vascular system of the lemongrass plant has a foam-like structure that floats when processed and waterproofed."
McDougall has been growing lemongrass for the last five years and has found the crop is incredibly versatile. She has been making miniature prototypes, but has plans to work with a surfboard company in Currumbin, Australia to create full-sized prototypes this year. 

Several of the benefits of using lemongrass are that it is lightweight and yet incredibly strong. Also, the entire plant is used in the process so there are no byproducts. And lastly, lemongrass is native to the Golden Coast so it is easy to produce.

If eco-friendly surfing interests you, or for more information on our great selection of surfing gear and apparel, contact us today at surfboards.com.
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Thursday, April 20, 2017

Dakine Day Bags Keep Your Board Cool and Your Look Hot

Meet Dakine
Most would agree that a surfer would be one of the best candidates for making surfing equipment. And that's exactly what happened at a company you're probably familiar with: Dakine.

Dakine got its start in Hawaii on Maui's North Shore in 1979. There, surfer Rob Kaplan was constantly called out to fix surfing equipment, especially busted surf leashes. Rob eventually endeavored to make a super durable board leash and the rest is history! The company developed, expanded, and now is involved in all the board lifestyles: surf, snow, and asphalt. 

Board Bags
Dakine is a top maker for day use board bags. Whether for surf or stand up paddle boarding, they have what you need to keep your bag free from nicks, scratches, and puddles of melted wax! 

Dakine Daylight Longboard Bag
This sleek white and charcoal colored bag is an ideal choice for keeping your board cool while it goes from your house to the car to the beach. Made from a material called "tarpaulin", the outside is heat-resistant and helps keep your wax intact. With a 1/4" of padding, a padded shoulder strap, and a built-in fin slot, this bag has everything you could need for a day on the waves.

Dakine Daylight Deluxe Thruster Bag
This bag is certainly "deluxe"! With more padding than a regular day bag but less than a bulky travel case, the Deluxe Thruster ensures that your board is protected but not too cumbersome to carry. You'll be fine toting it to the sand with its padded shoulder pad, fin slot, and corrosion proof zipper. Made out of 600D polyester and heat reflective tarpaulin, you won't be cooking your ride in the sun!

The bag comes in a dark charcoal color or a palm tree pattern. If you're unsure of the size of bag, simply use the online sizing chart and measure your board's nose, middle, and tail widths and you'll be good to go!

Dakine SUP Bag
For the stand up paddle boarder, the SUP Bag is a great choice! Like the surfboard bags, it is constructed out of reflective tarpaulin. With 3/8" foam, a corrosion resistant zipper, sidewall cinch straps, a padded carry handle, and removable shoulder straps, this bag is equipped with everything you could need to move your paddle board from home to waves. 

Dakine Racing SUP Sleeve
The SUP Sleeve for the racer is a fine specimen! Sleek is the best way to describe it. Your racing board will fit perfectly with the tapered nose of the bag and you'll have 1/4" of padding to make sure you and your board arrive at the race without any dings. The bag has carry access ports, compression straps on the outside, an entry top zipper, and a fin slot. Also made from reflective tarpaulin, your board will be sure to stay un-melted. 

So there you have it: four great Dakine designs for day bags from a company founded by a surfer. For assistance in finding the right size bag for your board or to check out our equipment and apparel, contact us and we would be more than happy to help you! (We, too, are a company founded by a surfer!)
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Thursday, April 13, 2017

Refresh Your Memory: Basic Tips for Surfboard Care

With the seasons changing, now's a good time to brush up on basic care for your surfboard. Whether your board is new or used, proper maintenance and handling with prolong its life and performance. Follow these quick tips for taking care of your board.

Beware of sun, sand and salt
We know, we know: that's basically what a surfboard was made to be around, right? Right, but you should be aware of how much the board faces when you're not actually out on the waves. When taking a break from the water, lay your board wax-side down on the beach to keep the wax from melting and trapping sand. You can then cover it with a towel or store it in the shade of your car to limit its exposure to the sun. Sun damage tends to turn white foam into a dull yellow color. When your session's over, make sure to rinse the board with freshwater. Saltwater is corrosive and can deteriorate the resin. 

Clean, store and transport your board properly
It's also a good idea to remove all the wax once in a while and put fresh wax on. You can do this once a month, or at least every season. Check that the bottom of the board is free of wax and dirt too.
Storage-wise, avoid keeping your board in very hot or cold climates. Under extreme temperature changes, your board will expand and contract, causing delamination. 
Board bags are one of the most useful accessories for a surfer. They protect against dings during transportation and keep your board safe from the elements.  

Repair dings ASAP
Dings are common and inevitable, but luckily minor dings can be fixed with solar resin. Before patching up your board, rinse it with freshwater and let it dry thoroughly. You can pick up resin at any surf shop, and it's fairly easy to use. Here's step-by-step advice for using resin to fix a simple ding. To avoid dings, use a leash and avoid riding the surf all the way into the beach, which can damage your fins. 

Remember that taking good care of your board will allow you to use it longer and with better results. For more tips on board care, get in touch with us.
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Thursday, April 6, 2017

Flying with Your Surfboard

One of the best things about being a surfer is the ability to catch a wave wherever you find yourself. Traveling with a surfboard, especially on an airplane, may seem like a massive undertaking. With these few tips, however, you'll be sailing through security and on your way to the beach in no time.

Use a Surfboard Bag
The last thing you want to do is damage your surfboard in any way, so it's imperative that you get a surfboard bag for protection. Choose one which has handles for ease of carrying it through the airport. This also makes it easier for baggage handlers to move it, which reduces the risk of something happening to it. Be sure to get a brightly colored tag with your information clearly printed on the side. If it gets lost or doesn't make it to your destination, airline personnel will have a better time reaching out to you to keep you updated on the situation. Also, it may not be a bad idea to slap a fragile sticker on the side, to let everyone know to be extra careful with your surfboard.

Call Ahead
When flying with your surfboard, the best thing to do is to make all of your reservations by phone, because you can talk to an agent who can answer all of your questions and tell you what to expect. Clearly mention at the start of the phone call your intention to travel with your surfboard, and have all of the dimensions ready to go. Depending on the time of year and the airline, they may not allow it to fly. By telling them upfront, you will save yourself a lot of time and headaches. You can then quickly move on to the next airline. 

Be Prepared to Pay Airline Fees
These days, the majority of airlines have baggage fees. Surfboards rarely count as the one bag you are allowed to have, simply due to their size and the fact they have to be loaded just right to avoid damage. That being said, however, airlines vary wildly when it comes to the cost associated with checking a surfboard. During your phone call, be sure to explicitly ask about associated fees, or else you could find yourself surprised at the gate. Also, do some preliminary research. Magic Seaweed typically does a great job of keeping their airline fee information for surfboards updated.

For more information about traveling with your surfboard, airline regulations, surfboard bags, and more be sure to contact us. We want to get you and your surfboard ready to travel to find the perfect wave.
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