How do you choose between a surfboard made of foam (EVA) or resin (epoxy/polyester)?
Foam surfboards are certainly very practical for beginners, as they are often shapes with very generous volumes, float a lot, are very stable and very easy to paddle. They're also ideal for children, as it's almost impossible to injure yourself on this board, and almost impossible to break!
The board is heavy and cumbersome, and less rigid than a resin board, so it's hard to turn and accelerate it with your feet.
On the other hand, a resin surfboard will make it easier to progress after the initial learning phase! The board will be much lighter and stiffer, and you'll be able to move towards a more dynamic surfing style.
Beware of impacts, however: resin is a brittle material, and more often than not, an impact requires immediate repair.
You can now decide whether to opt for foam or resin boards, depending on how you progress.
There are several types of resin surfboards, including the two most popular : epoxy resin and polyester resin!
2- Epoxy or polyester resin?
One more choice to make: which type of resin is best suited to your needs? Each construction has its own advantages and disadvantages:
- Polyester resin :
Surfboards made from polyester resin are combined with a PU (for polyurethane) foam core. The PU foam core is very dense, preventing water from seeping into the core in the short term, and is therefore quite permissive for repairs on this type of board. The fact that it's denser theoretically makes the board stiffer and therefore better performing! Polyester resin is not very hard, which makes it easier for shapers and manufacturers to work on their shapes. It also dries faster, which facilitates production lead times (especially for handmade boards).
Plus points :
+ A board that's easier to repair.
+ A board that performs better in theory.
+ An easier-to-work resin.
+ Boards that are easier to produce.
Minuses:
A heavier board, because PU bread is denser.
A softer resin, so dents appear fairly quickly on the deck of the board.
Relatively fragile resin, so the board will be subject to more repairs.
- Epoxy resin :
Surfboards made from epoxy resin are combined with EPS foam. Less dense than PU, but much lighter! Epoxy resin will also be stronger, less brittle and more rigid (good-bye premature denting of the deck). The epoxy resin compensates for the less dense EPS foam and saves weight, for an optimal weight/solidity ratio.
The downside is that if the surfboard takes an impact and breaks the resin, it will have to be repaired immediately, as the EPS foam pad soaks in much faster than the PU foam pad.
The other disadvantage is that the production of epoxy boards is more complicated. Particularly when it comes to drying, the boards have to be cured for longer, in the oven and in a vacuum, to ensure that the resin is as hard as possible and therefore even more solid and durable.
Plus points :
+ Lighter epoxy surfboards.
+ Excellent weight/strength ratio.
+ More efficient because lighter than most constructions.
Minuses:
A foam pad that soaks in faster, requiring immediate board repair in the event of breakage.
Resin is more complex to dry, and therefore boards are harder to produce.
Conclusion:
Each shape and each construction is adapted to specific needs that depend solely on you, your desires and your level! So it's important to find out what you need before you start:
