Modern surfboard design is still based on an experience of a gifted craftsman. There is no mathematical theory that can predict the feel of a surfboard under a surfer’s foot. In our research we suggest to make a small step toward rationalizing surfboard design by correlating measurable merits of performance (as forces and moments acting on the board in linear and curvilinear motion), with surfboards shape parameters (as rocker, planform and thickness) and with surfers’ subjective feelings on a wave.

The research will use a quantitative research methodology, a few representative surfboards will be measured, and tested both in the towing tank and at sea. Testing in the towing tank will furnish the hydrodynamic forces and moments generated by a board as a function of its orientation relative to the direction of motion. Testing at sea by a group of experienced surfers will furnish the grades on the ability of the boards to perform well defined tasks (e.g. accelerate to catch wave, keep speed, top and bottom turns). Grading of the subjective opinion of the surfers will be done using an equivalent of the Cooper-Harper scale extensively used in flight testing to grade the subjective opinion of pilots on the ability of an aircraft to perform various tasks (as landing, air-refueling, course-keeping, etc.).