Right: Tecnalia researcher, Iñigo Lazkanotegi with collected data for analysis.

Surfing is a sport governed by feelings. Most innovations in board design and manufacture, as well as analysis of surfing technique, have been the result of “trial and error” procedures and the experiences of shapers, trainers and surfers.

The driving forces behind this joint project aim to “turn feelings into facts and figures” and provide as yet unquantified data that can be directly applied to improve the features of surfboards, the technical performance of surfers and measurement of parameters during competition.

This  project will revolutionise surfboard manufacturing processes, as it will provide a map of the critical points and their properties, something that will make it possible to incorporate a determined amount of various materials with known properties, at specific locations on surfboard surfaces.

To carry out the project, data gathering electronics — sensors and hardware — had to be installed into the surfboard itself to collect and transfer the data to a computer.

The mechanical properties of surfboards were characterised to quantify mechanical behaviour and adapt that to the requirements of individual surfers. also defined Laboratory tests thave also been defined to allow quantification the stiffness/flexibility of boards and their resistance to breakage.

Surfers Aritz Aranburu, Hodei Collazo, Kepa Acero and Mario Azurza have carried out the initial experiments designed to characterise the stresses affecting surfboards as faithfully as possible.

Other professionals Tiago Pires, Joan Duru, Eneko Acero and Tim Boal, are expected to join the project at a later date. Watch the video.