Surfboard Construction Makes A MASSIVE Difference - EPS vs Poly - Which Is Right For You?

[@kylewattssurfing3266]

Haaaaaaannnnnnddddds dooooooowwwwn the best, the best, the best and most thorough and easy to understand surfboard education on the internet and KZbin!!!!!!! Shaka thank you!!! KZbin in the internet has been needing a channel like this..... Thank you guys for answering my call and the need!!! I feel so much better about buying my next surfboards after listening to all this great surfboard education content... ✌🌴 😎 🌴✌

[@TandCSurf]

Mahalo Kyle!! So stoked that you love the content! We'll keep delivering for yah dude!

[@riccardofacchielli3572]

Mister master shaper Pang thanks so much for share ur endless knowledge, each "pill" its very intresting , i hope u continue on this way and open new chapters about lamilation ,sanding, painting and finish Great job Man!! Aloha!!;

[@TandCSurf]

Absolutely! We will be rolling out many more tutorials and surfboard education videos! Be sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell to get notified when we release them! So stoked you're enjoying our content!

[@mocean365]

Love this series from a true legend, thank you!!

[@TandCSurf]

Mahalozzz!

[@OspreyVision]

Always helpful! Thank you for sharing the knowledge 🙏 🤙

[@TandCSurf]

Absolutely!! Have fun out there 🤙🏼

[@OspreyVision]

@@TandCSurf >> Thanks!

[@medlog7904]

What do you think about PU boards glassed in époxy resin? Does that make sense? What are the pro or cons of that?

[@thomasrebotier1741]

I think you can't do that, the PU foam melts.

[@medlog7904]

@@thomasrebotier1741 nope its the other way around;) Polyster melts EPS. Époxy Is Universal. But I Was actually more wondering about its properties,if It might be too flexy for example.

[@robertcain3426]

​@@medlog7904 Epoxy has less flex than polyester.

[@woutoosting9741]

Not a truth. Elongation in epoxy can be a choice... Not in polyester

[@RuiIsaac]

The weight of the board, isn't it more related to the type of fibering done on it?

[@AEVMU]

It's a combination of both, but the EPS foam is light enough to usually offset any heavier glassing requirements and so EPS boards usually are lighter overall. The lightest PU foam is about the same or slightly more dense as 2# EPS which is what is usually used. If you use 1.5# EPS and a light or moderate glass job that board will come out lighter than almost any PU board.

[@alzoid69]

Would more glass help give the EPS a bit of weight and help with windy days?

[@TandCSurf]

Yes it would. Glenn briefly mentions in the video that some guys ride EPS boards and just glass them a bit heavier to give them a bit more weight.

[@alzoid69]

@@TandCSurf thanks I should have finished watching before I asked 😂

[@ihadtomakethisbs]

@@alzoid69 your board will be stiffer though. FCD for example glasses their eps boards with more glass and it makes them ride stiff and weird. I get my eps shortboards with standard glass and hope for the best on windier days!

[@nickhlawka7073]

PU or not PU. That is the question.

[@TandCSurf]

🤣 that is correct haha

[@IIIxwaveIII]

saying that pu is for big waves is false...

[@TandCSurf]

PU is not exclusively for big waves. Glenn does mention in the video that some guys do ride EPS boards in bigger waves, they just glass them a lot heavier and that everyone is different. He is speaking from his experiences here in Hawaii and he typically sees PU boards being used in big waves boards 🤙🏼

[@carlost3011]

Most epoxy boards are glassed with two layers of 4 oz on top and 1 layer of 4 oz on the bottom, making them super light and "chattery". If you glass with 6 oz and maybe a patch, you will get more of a poly weight, but way stronger than a regular 4 oz poly glass job. Flex is better too.

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@thomasrebotier1741]

How about flexibility? Is board stiffness mostly from glassing or does the foam type add some quality (energy storage, vibration dampening...)

[@starvinmarvin7964]

Only way i enjoy eps is if there is zero wind and its super glassy but id still rather take a poly board out if i had a choice. I prefer poly to all the different materials ive tried. I like prefer the weight and how it flexes.

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@danhall-z9m]

Less momentum doesnt quite seem correct. If the eps board is 3kg and a pu board is 4kg there's a big (33%%) difference there. However, the momentum is the weight of the board and surfer because theyre (effectively) statically joined. So for a 90kg surfer the differences between momentums should only be a whisker abover 1.1%

[@bonsummers2657]

Actual practice, weight and momentum are signficantly coordinated on EPS, and the math doesn't work in actuality of what really happens. Epoxy boards are typically under-glassed, they need more weight, becuase they lose momentum very easily when paddling if they're too light,… such as 4/4/4 or ever 6/4/6,…. more like 6/6/6 or 6/4 6/4 is what's good,… or 6/6 4/4

[@AEVMU]

@@bonsummers2657 Wrong. A few extra grams or even a half pound will not be noticeable when paddling. If anything its psychological. Further, epoxy boards are not under glassed, at all. If anything, they are glassed heavier than PU but because the EPS foam is lighter, they come out lighter. I don't think you know what you are talking about.

[@bonsummers2657]

You're wrong. My experience concurs with Pang's and Rusty's.@@AEVMU And I found out by personal experience on different makes of EPS, different constructions, different glass schedules. There's a volume and weight concurrence of factors in regard to momentum and lack of momentum, aside from rocker. EPS/Epoxy pioneer Greg Loehr recommends minimum 6/6/6 or 6/6/4/4 on 2LB and less density EPS foam.

[@bsmbB]

​@AEVMU it actually is noticeable it feel like you need 2 extra paddles to get in to a wave. I have a 6' 2" 32.3L PU edd and a 5'7" 33.4 EPS Gremlin and if you don't get under the lip on my eps board you can feel the board die when you go to stand if you a little too far on the shoulder where as my pu board with less volume and more rocker is slightly easier to catch waves with

[@bonsummers2657]

@@bsmbB On EPS go 6/6 deck and 4/4 bottom, or at least one 6 on bottom. 6/6/6 is a good standard on EPS for good paddle momentum. Not 4/4/4 or even 6/4/6 (I had a supposedly 6/4/6 custom but it was too light, although it may have actually been a 4/4/4 by error of the board manufacturer.

[@tmeech]

If you ever make similar video sometime to this, can you discuss the 'flex' differences between them too. Thanks

[@TandCSurf]

Great feedback! We'll definitely look into that!

[@sergioalvarez376]

@@TandCSurfwill be very helpful for the advanced surfers if you include stringered epoxy boards at the “flex” comparison: stringered eps/epoxy vs stringerless eps/epoxy vs pu/poly. Thank you!!

[@addisonmorrone]

An eps and a poly board of the same volume and mass will have the exact same buoyancy. The equation is BuoyantForce=-(fluiddensity)*(gravitational acceleration)*(Volume) So in the real world only term that is different between the two boards of identical volume is acceleration due to gravity because the eps and the poly boards have different masses. Eps boards are lighter so they are slightly more buoyant.

[@jayweiable]

Super helpful video! As a relatively new surfer, how do I know what material my T&C Tanaka Town model surfboard is made out of? I have a couple of small dings that I'd like to self-repair, and I wasn't sure which resin to buy. The video states that most of your boards a PU boards, but I just wanted to be sure.

[@jpwookie22]

Isn’t EPS a closed cell foam? If it is, doesn’t that make it resistant to absorbing water when you get a ding?

[@lucaparolin5623]

Normal Eps takes water like a sponge... But yes, you have a type of Eps (extruded I think) which close shell. Quite expensive...

[@robertoambrosios.3624]

My first board a glen pang 6'0" twin fin fron 78. I still have it

[@arthurvidal1180]

perfect vid once again boyysssssss

[@TandCSurf]

Shoooots

[@deftones3138]

wow an actually well done surfing video on youtube... thank you. usually it's just a lazy video of a guy pointing a phone at himself with no plan, no visuals, etc

[@TandCSurf]

Mahalo!

[@bombsqaud558]

Nice! Short to the 👉 Thankyou. Poly it is!

[@wendellfugate4225]

Well done Mr. Pang. Saw and surfed with Mikala Jones at G-Land for a short while back in 2000 and saw him and some crew getting some amazingly good barrels. I have been planning to order and enjoy riding a few myself as soon as I am able to manage it. Mahalo nui loa.

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@nickhlawka7073]

If youre surfing the power of Hawaii than PU is fine for anybody. If youre not in Hawaiian and surfing places that dont have that power its much easier to throw around a lighter EPS epoxy board in those weaker waves. If you are a bigger person in less powerful surf and you want a bigger board but not too heavy than an epoxy just might be right for you. If youre a under 150lbs or so it probably doesnt matter either way. Im over 200lbs. I ride a bigger short board for flotation and save on weight with an epoxy. As far as flex, well, Im not a pro surfer so I dont notice it. For bigger people in less powerful surf, try an epoxy.

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼

[@nickhlawka7073]

Leave the EPS to Florida and southern California. Dont burden the Hawaiian board makers with additional chemicals.

[@jimihendrixx11]

So PU for bigger waves and eps for smaller?

[@TandCSurf]

We're not saying thats the end all be all. But a general guideline that most surfers utilize 🤙🏼

[@jimihendrixx11]

Thanks - T&C have been around forever

[@Nirvezz]

EPS was rough to shape with but after a while it is nice to not shave off too much foam and possibly ruin it when I was learning. I found it ridiculous when Clark foam shut down due to pollution it caused. Years later, Costco decided to sell tons of wavestorm boards for a low price which in turn flooded the beaches for many years to come. Those boards and the like break easily too

[@larrydowling5213]

I've short boards all my life but now at 51, I can't find a short board that feels right .and I'm having to ride boards over 7ft to get the right feel and fit my flow. I feel these short boards have a smaller planing area. They're shorter and fatter to have the volume I need. I feel the wider planing area on the 7ft plus boards are the difference..they carry speed through the bottom turn better as they don't need as much speed to carry. Some people they fit perfectly and you can't tell but they're not for everyone. Add in the Poly EPS equation it adds a different issues. Poly boards sink a lil more and EPS is more floaty. It's cost me a lot of money trying to find the right fit. I feel EOS I prefer a lil more volume strangely but the EPS feel squirrelly to me. You'd think you'd want the other way around. My poly board I ride 7'2 44 litres and my EPS I ride 7 40 litres but I wish it was 7'6 and 44 litres. Great video .

[@thestow35]

Awesome content and great work on all the embellishments

[@TandCSurf]

Thanks so much!

[@catinthehat8412]

love your surfboard tutorials so interesting 🤙

[@TandCSurf]

Mahalo! We've had such a positive response from our audience on this content! Make sure to subscribe as we will be rolling out many more tutorials and surfboard education videos! Hit the notification bell so you don't miss out when we release them!

[@MichaelJDay]

Thanks for the helpful information! I am mainly riding with epoxy boards (mainly firewire, slater, tomo) given the durability benefits and I typically don’t ride waves larger than 2 meters (7ft). The 2m waves here in Portugal in most cases can be quite heavy so I don’t usually go out. Take aways for me in this video. With the epoxy boards give a few extra paddles getting into the wave. ( I needed a reminder that epoxy boards paddle faster but they don’t keep their forward momentum like PU boards the moment I stop paddling). 2. Get one or two PU boards in my quiver, where i need more weight and the board to sit further into the water, for me sized for waves that are 1.5m - 2m ( 5-7ft) or waves that have a strong groundswell = tons of energy.

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼

[@robertcain3426]

If an EPS was glassed heavier, being the same weight as the PU board, it would have the same flotation and momentum in paddling.

[@smallkinedings]

These are great videos. Shakas to you!

[@TandCSurf]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikemb123]

I wish there was no edits or effects in the video and just let him talk.

[@johndoe-bu7vt]

that doesnt make sence to make the same glassing over softer foam, when you put extra layers over EPS at 45 degrees, board will not really get stiffer, and all this dogma bullshit about chatter, booyancy etc is thrown out of the window. and the board will last twice longer. still not good for ducttape fixers.

[@westnorton2]

love this series. thank you!

[@TandCSurf]

You are so welcome! New episode coming tomorrow at 10am HST!

[@patrickyoung2106]

Thanks Mr Glenn!

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼

[@bonsummers2657]

Glass EPS 6/4 / 6/4, 6/6/4/4, or at least 6/6/6, best weight speed for EPS.

[@marcvince1261]

Thanks!! What's Mr Pang riding?

[@TandCSurf]

He's got allll the boards! He rides it all!

[@marcvince1261]

@@TandCSurf 🤙🤙🤙

[@bonsummers2657]

What's best momentum weight glass schedule for EPS? 6/6 top, 6/6 bottom? Or 6/4 bottom?

[@marcou111]

6 bottom & 6+4 deck

[@bonsummers2657]

I supposedly tried a 6/4/6 it was too light, lacked momentum due to lack of weight@@marcou111 Whereas 6/6/6 felt great.

[@oddtoddodd]

YEEEW!!!🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@TandCSurf]

🤙🏼

[@siryusmusic]

no word about the toxicity of the 2 different constructions. its kind of ironic that surfers "pretend" to care about the health of the ocean while poisoning. the objective has to be, what construction has the least impact on the environment and lasts the longest instead of what can give me a 0,1% better performance in certain conditions.

[@winningwithoutracing7811]

By that metric constantly flying places for surf would really be the elephant in the room. Building construction uses magnitudes more foam insulation for "green" construction than the entire marine industry including boats and docks. Needless wars/military excesses, central banking excesses, and worldwide open border immigration madness increase environmental degradation more than anything else.

[@robscanlan]

You write to the White House and ask Joe Biden.

[@Justsay_n]

Sounds like this guy is gonna be a Kamala voter....all fantasy land...unaware of the realities in this world. Poor guy...that's gotta suck

[@salutokinetik1619]

@@Justsay_n not at all, just point out hypocrisy where i detect it.

[@Justsay_n]

@@salutokinetik1619 ok, fair enough 👍

[@AEVMU]

Doesn't make sense. An off the rack EPS board is what, maybe a half pound lighter? Compare off the rack EPS/epoxy to pro light PU/PE glassing and there is probably no difference at all. Momentum is the boards weight + the riders weight. A half pound difference in board weight is less than 1/4th of 1% in terms of actual momentum, not noticeable. This is nonsense.

[@sunrisesurflessonskauai9355]

Well overall flex and torsion as chop is slapping under you affects glide.

[@onshore1ft]

Completely agree. Board density has a miniscule effect on floatation and the bigger the rider the smaller effect. Whether or not you take a dump before a surf probably makes a bigger difference.

[@LordPhoenix140]

The EPS blank itself weighs about half what the PU blank weighs.