How to Measure the Rocker of a Surfboard

There is nothing better than spending a day on the ocean with your surfboard amidst the waves and the warmth of the sun. But true die-hard surfers take it an extra notch and actually make their own surfboard. Here is how to measure the rocker (which is the curvature of the board) if you are building your own surfboard.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Surfboard (unfinished)
• Tape measure
• Long piece of straight wood

1. Rest your surfboard upside down on a completely flat surface. If you elect to rest the surfboard on a table, make sure that you place a piece of cloth down so that you avoid scratching the board.

2. Place the long piece of wood in the center of the surfboard. Note that the wood must be longer than the board, so that you can accurately measure the rocker.

3. Move to one end of the surfboard and measure the distance between the end of the surfboard and the piece of wood that is resting on it. Depending on how you ride, you are looking for a rocker of between 1.5 and 6 inches.

4. Repeat the measurement of the rocker on the other side of the surfboard. The rocker needs to be the same on each end for balance. If not, amend the board until these numbers line up, by shaving off and smoothing additional wood from the side that has a lower measurement.

Tips & Warnings

• Conventional wisdom is that the flatter the surfboard, the faster it goes in the water.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!