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Shapeshifting
Introduction
Client consultation
Design and creation:
Mass production vs handmade
Materials and Sustainability
Outcomes
The shape of the future

Production Gallery

CURRICULUM LINKS
Introduction
Linking to the Curriculum
The development of artificial surfing reefs
Design and manufacure
Social issues

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Published:
May 2009

Shapeshifting – The art of hand-making surfboards

Surfboard design and manufacture

History of surfing in New Zealand
Te Papa website
http://tpo.tepapa.govt.nz/ViewTopicExhibitDetail.asp?TopicFileID=MINZ_t7

New environmentally friendly surfboard
Creators of a new environmentally friendly surfboard believe it could revolutionise the industry. The Eco board, produced by British company The Eden Project, was launched last week in England. More than half of the materials used in its construction were renewable.
New Zealand  Herald, March 2009
www.nzherald.co.nz/manufacturing/news/article.cfm?c_id=60&objectid=10564192

SURFBOARD COURSE OUTLINE

Surfboard design and Construction
Course outline of a 40-hour course designed and delivered at Gisborne Boys High School
www.gisboyshigh.school.nz/images/course info page cv.jpg

MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURE

COMPSAND– company website [comp(osite)/sand(wich)].
www.compsand.com/technology_description.html

High Voltage company website
Whole surf board development process shown on one page
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~hvsurf/highvoltage/production.html

Kiwi Scientists Build Surfboard Using Native New Zealand Flax as Fibreglass Replacement
A surfboard made from Native New Zealand Flax (harakeke). Scientists working for BPN – a biotech joint venture between AgResearch, Crop & Food Research and Scion - created a harakeke fibre to replace fibreglass in the surfboard, which is responsible for giving the board its strength and stiffness. BPN research is focussed on creating products using renewable, natural materials – or biomaterials – instead of petrochemicals.
Infonews.co.nz website, June 2008
www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=11&t=56&id=21811

New uses for flax
In the 2000s scientists began to explore different uses for flax. The Biomaterials Engineering unit at Scion, Rotorua, is investigating ways to improve the strength and performance of flax fibre by combining it with other natural fibres such as hemp and wood, and synthetics such as glass fibre. Results are encouraging, and the material also looks attractive. Future uses include building materials, furniture and packaging.
Te Ara - The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand
www.teara.govt.nz/TheBush/NativePlantsAndFungi/FlaxAndFlaxWorking/5/en

New materials
Carbon-fibe and Kevlar technology related to improved functionality
Black Boards company website
www.blackboards.co.nz/index.html

Cardboard core surfboards
Orewa Longboard Club newsletter May 2009
www.orewalongboardclub.com/newspage.htm

So you want to be a surf board maker? Questions and answers
New Zealand  Herald article February  2007
www.nzherald.co.nz/employment/news/article.cfm?c_id=11&objectid=10426096&pnum=2

USA surfboard manufacturing scene.
Article on the Sacred Craft Exhibition in Southern California, October 2008
www.byrningspears.com/news-sacred-craft-surfboard-exhibition.php

Manufacturing by machine
Creative Energy Surfboards website. A company which has invested in a Shapers Profiling machine – technology to allow it to customize more deeply with improved detail and less error than ever before. It also minimizes labour times, increases production levels and offers all around time efficiency.
www.creative-energy.co.nz/index.htm

Extensive range of surfboards now available
New Wave Board Company – Buyers Guide 2009
www.newwave.co.nz/includes/New_Wave_Board_Guide_09.pdf

Surfboard accessories
Designing a range of surf board accessories
www.locusresearch.com/downloads/CurveSurf_BestAwardsA4(Web).pdf

Surfboard innovations
Time Magazine 2002 Best Inventions – the travel surfboard
www.time.com/time/2002/inventions/toy_board.html

Surfline website
www.surfline.co.nz/index2.htm

VIDEO CLIPS

YouTube
YouTube video clips under the serach 'surfboard manufacture' (www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Surfboard+manufacture&aq=f ) includes the following selections:

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