Surfing Waves

Hi guys,

I've been wondering why is the black stripes at the tail of surfboard tail, usually traction pad to be installed in between. I thought it's was marker pen lines initially. But when Iooked closer, it looks like tread. Not all surfboard has these but mostly has them. What's is it and the function of it?

It's unclear what you are talking about, post a picture, could be stringers could be anything?

It's there to help prevent crushed tail/rail by your heels. The black lines are usually carbon fiber strips, but many others materials have been used. Some look like fish net.

Oh those black stripes
Dinosaur surf moment there!

Oh yes, fiber strips. But how likely that are will be damaged? Unlikely right?

alvthm wrote:Oh yes, fiber strips. But how likely that are will be damaged? Unlikely right?

Not related to surfing but same material, I've use carbon fiber in some hardware projects they're light as hell, very very strong and flexible(very hard to snap), so it's probably there just to stop your tail from snapping off if you wipeout in the worst spot on a hollow wave, so yeah it's there not jsut to look nice but is just to reinforce the tail from what I can tell

alvthm wrote:But how likely that are will be damaged? Unlikely right?

I think you're asking "how that rail/tail is likely to be damaged WITHOUT those carbon strips?"

It depends mostly on the glassing layup. Usually short board have two sheets of 4 oz. fiberglass cloth on the deck ( just 1 sheet of 4 oz. on the bottom ). Long boards have two 6 oz. layers on the top ( and deck patches too ). Some times heavier guys get a 4 and 6 oz. combo. But some pro boards have just single 4 oz. That's why they needed those strips. The area back there is so thin and crushes when the stomp hard on carves and airs.

So you have don't have to worry.
1) you have heavy glassing
2) you don't stomp on the tail
3) didn't purchase a "pro" board
4) don't use your knee to duck dive
5) own a molded-epoxy board. ( they're so strong, they don't need them )

waikikikichan wrote:

alvthm wrote:But how likely that are will be damaged? Unlikely right?

I think you're asking "how that rail/tail is likely to be damaged WITHOUT those carbon strips?"

It depends mostly on the glassing layup. Usually short board have two sheets of 4 oz. fiberglass cloth on the deck ( just 1 sheet of 4 oz. on the bottom ). Long boards have two 6 oz. layers on the top ( and deck patches too ). Some times heavier guys get a 4 and 6 oz. combo. But some pro boards have just single 4 oz. That's why they needed those strips. The area back there is so thin and crushes when the stomp hard on carves and airs.

So you have don't have to worry.
1) you have heavy glassing
2) you don't stomp on the tail
3) didn't purchase a "pro" board
4) don't use your knee to duck dive
5) own a molded-epoxy board. ( they're so strong, they don't need them )

Great! Question answered.