Surfing's New Wave

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WHY RIDE THEM? Lightweight, highly durable and ding-resistant--but the pros aren't biting.

FOAM STRINGERS

Salomon, a brand famous for its skis and snowboards, is getting wet. Its S-Core design creates a shock-absorber-like effect in the deck using three polypropylene foam stringers in a hollow carbon core enclosed by a foam shell--an airplane wing on the water. The composites in the deck and rigid carbon bottom optimize flex memory, which improves control, says Salomon.

WHY RIDE THEM? High-rank surfers rave about the flex; they can be custom shaped.

PARABOLIC RAILS

Just as parabolic, or hourglass-shaped, skis changed that sport, Firewire's Future Shapes Technology boards feature balsa-wood rails glued to the EPS foam to increase motion in the foam core. The design accentuates the rocker for a tighter turn, as in parabolic skis. The first surfboards hit racks just weeks ago.

WHY RIDE THEM? As with S-Core, pros ride the custom-shaped boards for flex; 20% lighter than PU boards, they last 5 to 10 times as long.

... FROM NOVICE TO GNARLY

BODYBOARD

Novices can get the feel of surfing without standing up using a bodyboard (a sport all its own), which lets the rider plane on the curl, the breaking face of the wave.

LONGBOARD

At least 9 ft. from nose to tail, the stable "hang 10" boards have seen a resurgence. They make paddling and catching waves easy. Big- wave-riding pros use them too.

SHORTBOARD

Averaging 6 ft. 2 in., shortboards increasingly feature new core materials, fabrics and resins borrowed from other industries to allow riders more flex, speed and maneuverability. Fiberglass and polyester

Wooden stringer

PU foam PVC foam or honeycomb Layered carbon fiber Fiberglass, carbon and epoxy Polypropylene stringers EPS-based foam Fiberglass and epoxy Parabolic balsa-wood rails

A straight ride back to shore on a stable longboard makes pop-ups easy to practice Fins go on the feet, not on the board Advanced surfers look for responsive, lightweight boards to ride everyday surf TIME Graphic by Ed Gabel; text by Coco Masters Sources: Eric Arakawa; Chris Mauro; Salomon S-Core; Firewire Surfboards; Aviso; Fins Unlimited (Curtis Hesselgrave)