Repairing hard boards is not as arduous or as scary as most people think. Yes, it is difficult to restore a board to factory perfection, but it’ s not particularly difficult to perform a functional repair.
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Repairing hard boards is not as arduous or as scary as most people think. Yes, it is difficult to restore a board to factory perfection, but it’ s not particularly difficult to perform a functional repair.
stale routine. I’ ll take the Blitz out on the flat to remind myself how good the Sprint is. I’ ll take the Sprint out in messy water to challenge myself. Generally, I’ ll always use the all-water RS to race with.
The risks of buying second-hand There are risks associated with buying second-hand. The most obvious one is buying something that is damaged or has suffered poor repair. The primary issue with damage to a hardboard is the ingress of salt water into the polystyrene core. If a board suffers from this, then the salt water can eat the core. Ingress can occur through impact damage, cracks or from leaving the air pressure valve open during use. A board that has been damaged this way tends to become‘ heavy’; the core becomes waterlogged. A simple test is to compare the weight of the board against the manufacturer’ s declared weight.
In addition to weighing the board, you can determine if water is inside by removing the vent cap and leaving it in the sun to see if moisture evaporates. You will hear an initial‘ fizzing’ rather than a‘ whooshing’ if the board is carrying water.
Gore-Tex automatic vents have become a popular choice among manufacturers. SIC have used them for the RS for some years. They are very convenient, but they can go wrong. When they do, the changes in air pressure caused by changing air temperatures can deform even the strongest carbon fibre boards.
So always avoid leaving your board out in the sun or cold for extended periods. Look for signs of deformation on the board and avoid it if you see them. My RS has suffered, as you can see in the photos on the previous pages. Conversely, people often forget to attend to their manual vents, which can be equally damaging.
Repairing hard boards is not as arduous or as scary as most people think. Yes, it is difficult to restore a board to factory perfection, but it’ s not particularly difficult to perform a functional repair. This is another benefit of purchasing second-hand. The need to restore to perfection diminishes. Carbon fibre is relatively easy to work with, and with a good sander and patience, you can achieve a reasonably smooth finish.
Other boards to consider for your quiver If you want to improve your ability to SUP / surf, then a board specifically designed for the job will make this easier. However, if you are not a natural in the waves, don’ t go all out for a low-volume short SUP surfboard. These are not easy for novices to use. They are designed for skilled riders who are familiar with the intricacies of catching waves. Personally, I’ ve found learning on a nicely shaped leisure board to be more rewarding than pursuing something more‘ sporty’.