A surfboard day bag makes good sense if you want to maximize the life of your surfboard. While most of us assume that all damage to our boards is going to happen in the water, this isn’t always the case. Yep, the rocks and other surfers and boards can all wreak havoc with your board. But what about impact, heat, UV, and minor dings and dents? These are all the sorts of situations that manage to damage your surfboard and also take dollars off the resell price.

A FCS surfboard bag can solve many of the above issues, well apart from the rocks, coral, and other surfboards on the loose. A surfboard day bag will protect your surfboard from the dings and dents that inevitably happen when you go around a corner too fast, or collide with that wall or door. They are also a great way to minimise pressure dents from car racks, bike racks, and storage racks.

FCS board bags also come with built in heat reflective tarpee shells. All that exposure to the harmful UV rays isn’t just bad for your skin, but it is also going to fade the colors on your surfboard. So when your surfboard is out in the elements and you aren’t surfing on it, a surfboard day bag is going to keep it looking newer for longer. The reflective tarpee is also important for stopping your surfboard from getting too hot. Yep, not only does the wax melt all over everything, including car seats and t-shirts, depending on the circumstances, but can also be detrimental to surfboard resins. Some epoxy resins can bubble from too much direct sunlight. Let’s not also forget that most surfboards will start to yellow at some stage when they have seen too much sun.

Other points to remember before buying a surfboard day bag are to make sure that the nose is reinforced and the right shape for your surfboard, either pointed or round. A sturdy zipper that is not going to rust or fall out the first time you use it is also pretty important. Padded shoulder straps take the weight off. 5 mm padded foam is a great place to start with FCS board bags. This is enough padding to resist day to day bangs and impact and not so much that the board bag starts to get too bulky.

By Luc Stokes

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surfboard-Day-Bags—Less-Dings-For-Your-Board&id=3183775

So, you got a great deal and found a cheap flight to your surfing destination. If you are packing up your Dakine bag with your two favorite surfboards, you may be in for a nasty surprise. In the world of surf travel, not all airlines treat your surfboard the same. How do the airlines stack up? Many of them, not so well.

Let’s start with the worst. One major US based air carrier charges between $175 and $250 each way for your surfboard bag. To fly with this airline with your surfboard you are going to be paying between $350 and $500 round trip just for your surfboard. You can buy a new surfboard for $500 or a used surfboard for even less. Maybe you could use that money to buy a surfboard when you land and give it to a local kid when you leave. Essentially you would be giving the money to a local kid rather than a business that was trying to stick it to you for simply wanting to travel with your surfboard. When you get back home, all of your surfboards are still going to be in the shape you left them and you won’t be out any more money than if you had brought your own surfboard with you. That is one way to make a good situation out of an ugly one.

Now for the bad. Unfortunately, most of the other major airlines around the world fall into this category. It is common practice for the airlines to deem your surfboard bag excess luggage and levy high fee’s on the surfboard bag. You can expect to pay around $100 each way with most airlines to travel with your surfboard. If you plan to travel with your surfboard, I can not recommend highly enough that you check the airlines policy on surfboard bags prior to booking any flight. Many airlines have luggage restrictions at certain times of the year and you may not be able to bring your surfboard for any price on the airline.

In today’s world of high jet fuel prices, it seems the airlines are competing tooth and nail on price and then try to make up for it with all of the “extras”. Well, here is the good news. Several airlines do want surf traveler’s business. A handful of airlines offer free travel for your surf bag. Quantas Airlines was awarded Surfer Magazine’s “Airline of the Year Award”. One of the factors in their decision was because Quantas do not charge for surfboard travel bags. In addition, Virgin Atlantic also offer free surfboard bag travel.

It is interesting to note that in November 2007 British Airways made a decision to no longer accept surfboards on all of their flights. This caused a stir with many travelers and even made its way into discussion in Britain’s parliament. In September 2009, thanks to a campaign on Facebook, British Air eventually reversed their decision. They now allow surfboards up to 6′3 (190cm). However, for many surfers this unfortunately means longboards and minimals (funboards) are not allowed.

By Glenn Kolb

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surf-Travel—Surfboard-Travel-Bags—Baggage-Limits-on-International-Airlines&id=4442421

Transporting your surfboards from home to your favorite surf spot can be a real hassle. It can damage your surfboard, put you in a bad mood even before your surf session begins, and may ultimately ruin you enjoying surfing on a whole. This is where surfboard racks come to the rescue.

Surfboard racks hold your surfboards securely on top of your vehicle during your travel. Surf racks also serve as the best place to store your surfboard when not being used at home, in your garage, store, exhibits or even in sheds on the beach. When your boards are not in use for a really long time, it is necessary to place them on a surf rack to avoid unnecessary dents, dings and even delamination.

Some surf racks are designed to hang boards on the wall, while others simple serve as stands that prevent the boards from touching the ground. Depending on the design of the rack, as well as the space available, surfboards can be place horizontally with the rail-side-up or vertically with the nose up. Most likely, surfboard displays and exhibits are so dependent on surfboard racks, that overall attractiveness of surfboards is not only based on artistic designs and airbrush, but is also dependent on how the boards are displayed using striking racks placed in the right position.

As surfboards are quite expensive, many surfers resort to adding a locking mechanism to their surfboard racks. A locking mechanism is necessary to prevent your boards from being stolen or used without your consent. You can attach the lock to the leash plug or to the center fin box slot. You may also prefer locks that are clamped or strapped around the surfboard and then attached to something that is hard and immovable. Lashes used in the locking system are usually made of a reinforced metal cable and are not easily cut or torn.

There are two types of surfboard racks you can use to transport your surfboards: soft racks and hard (fixed) racks. Soft racks are detachable racks that can be firmly attached onto the roof of a vehicle as the need arises (i.e. every time you go surfing). Soft racks will hold your surfboards securely in place and prevent the boards from bumping against each other or against the roof of vehicle when traveling to your surfing break. The parts of the rack that make contact with the surfboard are made of soft padding and do not cause any denting or unnecessary markings on the board. These soft racks are available in your favorite local surf shop or online store and come with a lower price tag than hard racks.

Hard racks (fixed racks) on the other hand are more sturdy and durable than the soft racks. They are designed to be permanently attached to the roof of a vehicle. This type of rack is highly recommended if you surf a lot at the same surf spots. With a fixed rack on the roof of your vehicle, you don’t have to attach the rack every single time you go surfing, thus saving you more time. However, hard racks are more expensive than soft racks and often cause damage to boards during travel. If this is the case, you can simply put a piece of cloth, such as a towel, between the contact points to buffer the force of impact and is often enough to prevent your board from being damaged.

By Matthew Rocheford

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Surfboard-Racks&id=5892493

Whether you are looking for a simple surfboard rack to keep your surfboard safe in the garage or you are looking for a wall mounted rack to hold your quiver of boards, there is a rack out there that is perfect for you. You can display your surfboard vertically too if you have a board you want to display in the office or the den.

You have a choice in materials from aluminum, steel, strong ABS plastic, wood or acrylic. The most practical racks are the modular designs. These allow you to add on as your surfboard collection grows.

Review of the Different Surfboard Racks Available Today

Nice Rack – the most practical of the wall mount surfboard racks. These racks are built of strong ABS plastic and are a modular design. You buy a set which will hold up to two surfboards. If you want to add on to the rack you simply purchase another set which snaps on top of the existing rack. You can keep adding on as many sets as you like. You are only limited by the height of your room.

Reef Racks – have arguably the strongest surf racks in the marketplace. They are constructed from T6 Aluminum. They will not rot, rust or corrode and have a lifetime guarantee. Different rack systems are available from simple double racks up to 6 surfboard racks. They also have a rack designed to hold Stand Up Paddleboards.

Surfdogz – are another system that is a modular design. These racks have a nice looking lacquered natural fir base. The pegs are tubular steel with foam padding to prevent scratching of the surfboards. Surfdogz also have a surf rack that will hold a SUP.

CK Displays – have acrylic racks to give you the look of glass. The vertical corner rack is an excellent choice for displaying your surfboard securely in the corner of a room.

Block Surf – make the widest variety of surfboard racks. Block Surf have a couple of good stands for storing your surfboard vertically if you want to display your board prominently in a room. They also make a beautiful wooden single wall mount rack. Block Surf’s ceiling sling is the way to go if you are very tight for space. It’s not elegant, but at under ten dollars, it is an excellent choice to get your surfboard up and out of the way.

Finding a rack that suits your needs will not be difficult. The hard part will be choosing from one of the many surfboard racks that are available today.

By Glenn Kolb

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surfboard-Racks-for-the-Home-Or-the-Garage&id=5134950

Surfboard racks, as the name would suggest, are used to secure one or more surfboards. Surfboard racks can be used to hold surfboards safely in sheds, garages, on bikes, and cars. Today we are going to look at surfboard roof racks, without which, many surfers would struggle to get a full car and their surfboard to the waves. (Those with longboards wouldn’t get there at all.) There are a few different types of surfboard roof racks. These are the fixed style of surfboard rack, the locking surfboard rack, and the very popular soft roof rack. Read on to see which one is going to suit you best.

Hard or fixed surfboard racks can be a sensible option for the frequent surfer. Pretty much permanently affixed to the top of your vehicle, these can be less time consuming than attaching soft roof racks. The downside is that they will cost you more, and generally need to be fitted for specific car and SUV models. Sometimes the hard racks can be a little too hard for your surfboard and may need Velcro coverings to prevent impact marks occurring on your surfboard. Otherwise a quick alternative can be to use your beach towel between the racks and the board as a bit of a buffer.

Locking surfboard racks are expensive but great for those surfing trips involving driving. Having to lock your boards in the car every time you stop for more than a few minutes can be a real pain, especially if there isn’t enough room to lock them in the car. Locking surfboard racks can also be extremely handy when there is a lack of surfboard storage at the vacation accommodation.

Soft roof racks for surfboards can be a lifesaver, or at least a surfing vacation saver for the surfer on the move. Throw them in the surfboard bag, and when you get to the car rental, your surfboard soft racks are going to mean that the surfboard gets to go on the roof, and all passengers get to sit in the car. Soft roof racks are relatively inexpensive and only take a few minutes to attach to any car roof.

Surfboard soft racks are also easier on your surfboard from a pressure or impact point, because you guessed it, the racks are nice and soft. Soft roof racks can also be used by regular surfers who don’t want to cough up the cash for fixed surfboard racks. A handy hint when attaching the soft racks is to twist the straps just the once, this will stop the straps vibrating at high speed, only a problem if you don’t have your sound system on extremely high volume.

By Luc Stokes

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surfboard-Racks&id=3183552

Once you have purchased your first surfboard, it is inevitable that you will want to securely transport your surfboard to and from the beach. When you first begin your search for a surfboard rack, you will quickly find that you have three options. Tie down straps, soft racks, and hard racks. If you don’t want to spend a solid $100 + or more on a hard rack, you can either get a soft rack or some simple tie down straps. If you already have a rack on your vehicle you can expect to spend a lot less money compared to one without. Although with some ingenuity, securely transporting your surfboard can still be fairly cheap for those without pre-installed car racks.

The first, and cheapest option, is to go with some simple tie-down straps. These straps wrap over your surfboard and go through the doors of your vehicle. Most can be tightened and loosened from inside the vehicle, although this usually depends on the strap. Cheap surfboard pads can also be purchased which you can lay your surfboard on. This protects both the roof of your vehicle, as well as the your surfboard. If you would rather not purchase surfboard pads, some form of a towel is a good idea, especially if you are driving a short distance. If you use a towel, be sure to wrap the board completely where the straps will be placed. Just placing the towel between the vehicle and surfboard can cause it to come out and flap in the wind, or even worse wedge its way out. If you have racks already on your car or suv, you can purchase pads that are designed to go over the crossbars of these racks. Then you can use your tie down straps in the same ways as you would without pre-installed racks.

If you don’t like the idea of straps or towels, or don’t have pre-installed racks, you can always purchase a soft surfboard rack. Soft surfboard racks are essentially the towel(pad) and strap idea combined. They work in the same manner as most tie-down straps, but have a pad already in place for the surfboard to lie on. This makes things easier and you don’t have to look for your straps and pads every time you want to head to the beach. However, they are a little more expensive than the strap/ towel combo, but are usually quicker to set up. Take down time is about the same for both straps and racks.

Please be advised that any soft rack, towel or strap that comes into contact with salt water will eventually scrap your vehicle. When the water evaporates salt is left and can build up over time. This can and most likely will scratch the top of your vehicle the next time you use them. Be sure to keep all raps and straps from getting wet with salt water. This can be done by storing you surfboard racks and straps in your vehicles, and using a towel, one not used as a pad, and wiping down your surfboard before putting it back on your vehicle. It would also be wise to rinse off your soft rack and straps every once in a while with warm fresh water to help remove salt build up.

By Simon Stock

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surfboard-Racks-Vs-Surfboard-Tie-Down-Straps&id=5940267

Just as there are different types of waves, and different standards of surfers, so too are there different surfboard designs. No matter the wave or the ability of the surfer, there are surfboard shapes and designs to cover every situation. Read on for a quick rundown on surfboard design. What’s going to be best for you and your local break?

The Longboard. As the name would suggest, this is a surfboard that can be anywhere in length from about 8′ to 10′ 6″, but many lie in the 9′ range. The longboard is the closest surfboard design available today to the original wooden surfboards ridden by the Hawaiians. Longboards are a popular choice as they are ideal surfboards for beginners, and favorites with many veteran surfers as well. Longboards are a great selection for beginners as they are long and wide, making them easy to paddle, easy to float, and very stable. This makes them easy for the less experienced to catch a wave and stay on. Longboards can also be a very forgiving surfboard for the surfer who has gained a few pounds and no longer has the physique of Kelly Slater. Longboards can come with several different fin setups including a single fin, thruster, or 2 +1.

The Shortboard is pretty much the opposite of a longboard in most ways. First up, the length is a lot shorter, hence the name. Secondly, due to the fact that they are thinner they are not as forgiving as a longboard and are best appreciated by experienced surfers on quality waves. Most shortboards will have a thruster fin setup. To pick up speed, shortboards require constant turning, allowing for great maneuvering. A shortboard will be a frustrating experience for the beginner surfer as there will not be enough stability or flotation to successfully catch a wave.

The Fish Surfboard is a newer surfboard design. Fish surfboard designs feature a board that is wider and shorter, with a flatter rocker, than a traditional surfboard. Fish surfboards also have a distinctive swallow tail. Fish surfboards are an excellent choice for surfers looking for fun on soft mushy waves. Fish surfboards will make a slow wave seem much faster, but their design can make them a little too loose for some surfer’s liking. Fish surfboards have great flotation and are easy to paddle and catch waves, making them a great choice for a surfer with a little experience.

By Luc Stokes

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surfboard-Designs-Explained&id=3178151

Surfboard design is probably not something you wondered about much before you started surfing. But once you are looking to buy a surfboard, it is important to understand the different parts of the surfboard and what impact they have on the way the surfboard performs.

The main aspects of the surfboard’s anatomy are:

Length – Longer boards paddle faster and more length means more volume of foam which helps with stability.

Width – Wider boards are more stable and easier to use in mushy conditions. Thinner boards are easier to maneuver and surf in hollow waves.

Nose – A thicker nose will help you catch more waves while a thinner nose will allow you to make quick turns and throw some heat.

Tail – There are many tail designs. A thin tail lets you turn easier and a wide tail will add stability. A swallow tail, one with two points will let you make sharp turns but the wider the space between the tips, the harder it will be to switch from rail to rail.

Rocker – The curve of a surfboard’s bottom. Boards with more curve can ride steeper waves and boards with flat rockers carry their speed for longer while going in a straight line.

Rails – The sides of the board. The design of a rail changes how a board releases water as it moves forward. Rails can be hard (a sharp corner) or soft (rounded).

Fins – There are a wide variety of fin designs. They can come in 1, 2, 3, 4 or more and some boards have none at all. Fins come in a wide variety of shapes as well, they can be tall, wide and sweep towards the back of the board more or less depending on the intended feel. There is a lot to learn about fins, for more reading, see the article on surfboard fins linked at the bottom of this page.

Bottom Contour – The bottom of the surfboard can have different shapes. When looking from the front, some boards have a V bottom where the center is lower, some are round with a belly and some have a contour where the board has a channel to focus water.

Foil – The distribution of foam from the front to the back of the board. Some board might have more thickness in the front and less in the back which helps with paddling, while other are thicker in the back.

Deck – The top of the board can have a few different shapes that make it easier for you to ride in certain ways. Longboards are typically flatter to make it easy to walk, while some other boards are very rounded, which allows them to have thinner rails.

By John S Dang

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Surfboard-Design-Features&id=3781637

Handmade miniature surfboards are great pieces to display around your home. You can have them in a glass case or you can just let them stand on a table. Either way, these tiny pieces will surely wow your guests.

Handmade mini surfboards also make fantastic souvenirs. You can buy several pieces whenever you go on for a summer vacation at the beach. They will remind you of the fun times you have had. Also, they can serve as favors. You can search for cheap miniature surfboards to be given away as party favors. You can even turn some into key chains and refrigerator magnets. You just have to add small magnets and key rings.

In addition, you can give handmade mini surfboards as gifts. Handmade miniature surfboards are usually made of wood, fiberglass, and plastic. Some unique pieces are also made of various types of stones. If your friend or family member loves surfing, you can give him a set of these mini surfboards. You can search in surf shops or even on the Internet. Actually, you will find more selections online. Handmade miniature surfboards come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and designs. Of course, their prices can range from cheap to expensive too. Collectors’ items, especially, are very expensive. They can range from a few hundred dollars to even a thousand dollars.

Replica miniature surfboards also make great gifts, especially to the avid surfer. They are designed to look exactly like their actual counterparts. They are often airbrushed to provide that genuine feel. Moreover, replica mini surfboards can also serve as competition trophies for sponsors and clubs. They can be utilized as displays for board manufacturers and surf shops, as well. Anyway, you can also have the handmade mini surfboards customized. This means that you can choose the style, the size, the shape, the color, and even the material to be used. You can even request to add a special message on the miniature surfboard. Handmade miniature surfboards are really wonderful works of art.

If you want to get the most of your money, consider buying from reputable artisans. Do some research and read unbiased reviews. You can also visit the websites of sellers offering handmade miniature surfboards. Make sure to read the comments and feedbacks of previous buyers. This way, you will get an idea about the quality of products and services. Also, do not forget to read the FAQ page as well as the terms of sales. You may also want to know about shipping charges. Before you finalize your order, it is also advisable that you double check the item. Buying through the Internet leaves you no choice but to rely on photos, descriptions, and reviews.

By Marianne Navarro

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Handmade-Miniature-Surfboards&id=4598397

Surfing, skating, and rock and roll: What more does a young man need? Mix those passions with a love of comic books, add a discerning eye and a talented hand, and you’ve got a rare artist whose resume spans half a century. His name is Jim Phillips.

In July, Schiffer Publishing released its third gathering of Phillips’s work, The Skateboard Art of Jim Phillips, an exhaustive scrapbook retrospective cobbled together by the artist himself. The 208-page soft-cover book is also laced with Phillips’ autobiographical narrative that begins in 1955 in Santa Cruz, California, where he and his buddies hammered together orange-crate skate scooters. Soon enough as the story goes, the crate god left out of the equation, and they dubbed their streamlined version of a “bun board” (not because they rode it sitting down, but because riding it invariably meant falling on your ass).

The one day, Phillips’ friend asked him to draw a monster on the nose of his balsa surfboard. The enamel rendition bulged with bloodshot eyes and forked tongue-it was Phillips’ first board graphic and harbinger of things to come.

Do your skate roots reach the days of high-top Chucks and ten-inch-wide maple concaves? If so you can ever forget the Rob Roskopp monster busting through the bull’s eye. And what about 80s Santa Cruz pro Keith Meek’s first graphic?

“I had a shape but no graphic,” remembers Meek. “When Jim showed [the art] to me, I just took one and looked at it- it was so sick, with the Slasher riding the blade- and I just said, “wow, done deal- that’s my graphic.”

And even if you were born well after the days of Hang Ten shorts and flat oak planks, you’d be hard-pressed to find a ledge that hasn’t been gouged by a set of hangers engraved with arguably the most iconic skate brand on the planet: the Independent iron cross. That’s Phillips’ baby. So is the classic Road Rider wheel-with-wings. You can also count Steve Olson’s checkerboard and Duane Peter’s stripes among Phillips’ simple yet groundbreaking work.

Dig deeper and you’ll find Phillips airbrushing surfboards and drawing rock posters (mostly famously for The Doors) after getting kicked out of art school, despite a scholarship and straight A report card, when college administrators found out he never got his high school diploma.

By Keith Patrick

Article Source : http://ezinearticles.com/?Jim-Phillips—Inside-the-Mind—And-Book—Of-Skateboardings-Most-Influential-Graphics-Man&id=2325523