don't know about the commentators, but i reckon the shapers might go nuts for it.

could be an option for high level coaching, but i reckon the surfer would have to rigged up with sensors too- like those cricketers then they checkout their bowling action if they have been called for chucking

its interesting
cheers

stupid idea and as far removed from surfing as a share price...

thats a straight up garrenttee morons videoing their kids for future 'stardom' will love it

This kind of testing could give an understanding of what the board actually does under your feet, not for the surfer but the equipment.

Being able to understand how much the board flexes, the fins flex, torsional forces etc etc may be able to used to design better materials for production.

Most materials now are used as they are easy to work with and possess aesthetic qualities. Also as they 'feel' a certain way to ride. If people knew what actually made boards 'feel' as they do they could then engineer specific changes to evolve construction of the modern surfboard by adding more of the desirable factors.

CMC said...

This kind of testing could give an understanding of what the board actually does under your feet, not for the surfer but the equipment.

Being able to understand how much the board flexes, the fins flex, torsional forces etc etc may be able to used to design better materials for production.

Most materials now are used as they are easy to work with and possess aesthetic qualities. Also as they 'feel' a certain way to ride. If people knew what actually made boards 'feel' as they do they could then engineer specific changes to evolve construction of the modern surfboard by adding more of the desirable factors.

Good point but how would it measure flex?

doggie said...

CMC said...

This kind of testing could give an understanding of what the board actually does under your feet, not for the surfer but the equipment.

Being able to understand how much the board flexes, the fins flex, torsional forces etc etc may be able to used to design better materials for production.

Most materials now are used as they are easy to work with and possess aesthetic qualities. Also as they 'feel' a certain way to ride. If people knew what actually made boards 'feel' as they do they could then engineer specific changes to evolve construction of the modern surfboard by adding more of the desirable factors.

Good point but how would it measure flex?

When you look at the board in the video there are sensors running up the board, they only need to follow the deck or bottom line to perhaps make 4 points, 2 at the front and 2 at the back. By measuring how they are bent when surfed or twisted lengthwise you could measure flex and torsion. I'd day looking at them they already are. Probably foot pressure as well.

Most people would be extremely surprised to know how much a board twists.

I still have a few boards at home with 45 degree glassing as opposed to 0-90 degree and these boards feel dramatically different to each other just with the glass orientation and its influence on the flex and torsional flex of the board.

These kinds of changes have never been measured.

doggie said...

Minkee said...

theDoctor said...


thats a straight up garrenttee morons videoing their kids for future 'stardom' will love it

ah ah... and we can see what access to technology through a keyboard can generate...

Considering sensors and ECU have been part of car racing for most of the last 30-35yrs through aerospace, aviation and military heritage, I'm surprised it took that long to get to surfing. Maybe 10-15yrs considering miniaturising and gps technology.
The AIS, from what I know, is pretty active in that domain with swimmers.

It definately opens the door for more fine tuning and a better understanding of what really goes on.
I'm with Lacey on that one, it could be a really good tool for high level coaching.

On that topic has anyone spent the $60 for the Speedcoach Mobile App?

Im a big motorsport fan and raced cars & bikes in my 20s. I can see how they use this tech but I cant see an aplication for surfing. Swimming running ect I can understand

"wow .. that was a 2.3g turn by Slater, peaking at 40km/h"... would other surfes be judged/graded on this?

Surfing is more about feel than just crunching the numbers.

Well, then you probably understand the notion of a G-G diagram. Something similar could be exploited to quantify the behaviour/characteristic of a board.
That's how you measure grip on a car after all.
I'm pretty sure a board that can pull more G in a turn will look much more dramatic that one with less capabilities.
I'd see it being more useful to the rider & shaper than the commentator... pretty much the same story in racing really unless the commentator can draw parallels with RL.

Strain gauge measure flex very easily, they're usually shaped like a square/rectangle and when this square/rectangle deforms its electrical resistance change.

cool, so I ride a sponsored tricked up gizmo wizbang sensored do hickey techno marvel to measure my flicky spinny back the front upside down shabang da bawham...

and some brown kid pulls into tripleover head padang padang on a third generation hand me down sun burnt seawatered rotten beast with two fins super glued back the front; and gets a ten second barrell...

are you forgetting what surfing is about...?

theDoctor said...


cool, so I ride a sponsored tricked up gizmo wizbang sensored do hickey techno marvel to measure my flicky spinny back the front upside down shabang da bawham...

and some brown kid pulls into tripleover head padang padang on a third generation hand me down sun burnt seawatered rotten beast with two fins super glued back the front; and gets a ten second barrell...

are you forgetting what surfing is about...?

Ha ha....go the Doctor!

CMC said...

theDoctor said...


cool, so I ride a sponsored tricked up gizmo wizbang sensored do hickey techno marvel to measure my flicky spinny back the front upside down shabang da bawham...

and some brown kid pulls into tripleover head padang padang on a third generation hand me down sun burnt seawatered rotten beast with two fins super glued back the front; and gets a ten second barrell...

are you forgetting what surfing is about...?

Maybe the most logical post you have ever written.

Could the doctor be human?

No.