Editing Surfboard (section)

===Polyurethane (PU) boards===
Surfboards have traditionally been constructed using [[polyurethane foam]] and it remains a popular choice. They are made stronger with one or more stringers going down the middle of the board. The foam is molded into a "blank", in the rough shape of a surfboard.<ref>Recently, the largest producer of these blanks, [[Clark Foam]] announced its [http://surfline.com/surfnews/article.cfm?id=1618 Surfline.com closure]. This move drastically affected surfboard production and has become known to surfers as Blank Monday or Black Monday.</ref> Once the blanks have been made they are given to shapers. Shapers then cut, plane, and sand the board to its specifications. Finally, the board is covered in one or more layers of [[fiberglass]] cloth and resin. It is during this stage that the fins or boxes for removable fins are attached and the leash plug installed. Another method of making boards is using epoxy resin and prolapse [[polystyrene]] foam, instead of polyester resin and polyurethane foam. In recent years, surfboards made out of [[balsa]] and a polystyrene core are becoming more popular. Even solid balsa surfboards are available.

Although foam boards are usually shaped by hand, the use of machines to shape them has become increasingly popular. Vacuum forming and modern sandwich construction techniques borrowed from other industries have also become common. Many surfers have switched to riding sandwich-construction epoxy boards which have become especially popular with beginner surfers as they provide a durable, inexpensive, entry-level board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westcoastsurfmag.com/equipment/10507_surfboards_foam_feature.php|author=Ben Perreira|website=westcoastsurfmag.com|title=Apocalypse to epoxy, from Clark Foam to the New Standards of Surfboard Production |access-date=2008-11-04}}</ref>