I use an EPS foam specially made for surfboard use. It is called virgin bead EPS….in other words it has not been recycled from another source and then re-manufactured into foam. Many surfboard manufacturers use the reprocessed EPS foams, mainly because it is less expensive. We do not do that here because I know that the reprocessed foam is more brittle having a lower break strength for the board, has lower compression resistance and absorbs water to an inordinate amount when dinged.

The EPS I use consists of three different bead sizes i.e. the little compressed balls that makes up the foam. And our EPS is fused at a higher pressure which forms a tighter bond yielding a much higher compression strength and break strength as well as minimal water absorption when dinged i.e. comparable to a poly board as far as water absorption goes i.e. if you get a ding (which you will get far less than a poly board since epoxy is so much more resilient), then you treat it very much like a poly board…..keep surfing the swell through…..you don’t need to rush out of the water in a panic like other epoxies, but when the waves drop off, let the board dry out for a day or two, then have it fixed with epoxy (any epoxy is compatible with our resin….just don’t use polyester resin, that is a no no).

I use a 1.9/ 2.0 lb foam as opposed to the 1.0 lb foam used by many other manufacturers. This is because the 2.0 lb foam has a better water displacement that allows the board to set a rail in a turn and drive it through the entire turn without the board feeling like it is riding on top of the water, or not wanting to set a rail…..which is a common result with the 1.0 lb. foams.

The foam core is a very important part of the board’s fabrication that can make or break it’s performance in the water.