The present invention relates to, in a first aspect, a surfing device including a surfing device body comprised of polymer bead foam being substantially formed from at least one polymer selected from a single polymer class, and at least one at least one performance enhancing component at least partially embedded within, or integral with, the surfing device body, the at least one performance enhancing component being substantially formed from polymers selected from the single polymer class. Further aspects of the invention, directed to a performance enhancing component and to a method of forming a surfing device body, are also disclosed.

A water sports board is provided to be attached to the chest of a rider and allow the rider to hold onto a tow line of a powered watercraft and be pulled across water thus riding on the board. The water sports board is strapped to the rider utilizing an integrated harness system consisting of shoulder straps that cross the back of the rider (over a flotation device such as a life vest) and attaches to the board near the waist of the rider. The bottom of the water sports board includes a fin, ribs and water directing channels for allowing the rider to maneuver the board, and a water deflector positioned at or near the front of the board for purpose of deflecting water from spraying onto the face of the rider.

A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. In a first aspect, the flow rate of the first viscous material is caused to vary over time in order to vary an amount of the first viscous material in the stream. In a second aspect, which may be used alone or in combination with the first aspect, the first and second viscous materials have distinct viscosities to reduce an amount of color blending between the first color and the second color in the stream of combined viscous material. A static mixer may then be used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the static mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extrudable material may be created using such process and used in the manufacturing of many different products including for example kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

A surfboard includes a core covered with a laminate and having curved perforations in the deck area and the tail area of the surfboard, in order to prevent air blisters from forming between the core and laminate. The curved perforations are deformable under pressure to minimize the opening of the perforations to inhibit liquid from entering and maximizing under zero pressure to allow the maximum amount of trapped liquid and gasses from escaping. The core is formed from an extruded closed-cell polystyrene foam block that has been shaped by restraining it against a shaped form using shaped restraining tools and straps, and heating it; and by cutting using a hot wire. The core is laminated with FIBERGLAS and epoxy resin, and the perforations are formed using a perforating tool that has a planar or curved working surface and one or more heated needles extending perpendicularly from the working surface.

An inflatable structure that includes continuous longitudinal and axial curves, constructed to form a hydrodynamically designed performance platform for use as a performance water sports board, rescue board, or rescue sled, such as a stand-up paddle board, paddleboard, surfboard, PWC rescue sled, bodyboard, or other floating or dynamic platform. Alternatively, it may be adapted for use with additional structure to provide an inflatable hull and floor for a watercraft, such as a boat, raft, life-raft, rescue craft, or other floating or dynamic platform. Longitudinal stringers welded to opposing panels defining the interior volume of the inflatable structure are joined by welding, gluing, or lashing, and the shape of the stringers and the welding/gluing/lashing schedule can be employed to give the inflatable structure a highly customized curved shape.

A method for making a paddle board includes steps of: 1) bonding a lower protective layer and an upper protective layer to a core board, and trimming edges of the upper protective layer so that the edges of the upper protective layer are flatly adhered to edges of the lower protective layer; and 2) arranging a concave portion in a middle position of a top surface of the paddle board, and embedding a handle in the concave portion for carrying the paddle board; wherein a cavity, which is configured to be inserted with fingers, is provided in a middle of the handle. The handle has a long service life as well as a good gripping effect, and prevents fingers from slipping off. The paddle board has a good waterproof performance, a good impact resistance, and a long service life.

A method for making a paddle board includes steps of: 1) bonding a lower protective layer and an upper protective layer to a core board, and trimming edges of the upper protective layer so that the edges of the upper protective layer are flatly adhered to edges of the lower protective layer; and 2) arranging a concave portion in a middle position of a top surface of the paddle board, and embedding a handle in the concave portion for carrying the paddle board; wherein a cavity, which is configured to be inserted with fingers, is provided in a middle of the handle. The handle has a long service life as well as a good gripping effect, and prevents fingers from slipping off. The paddle board has a good waterproof performance, a good impact resistance, and a long service life.

In one example, a watercraft includes a buoyant body in the form of a single piece structure sized and configured to support the weight of one or more users. The watercraft also includes a retractable fin connected to a pin that resides in a fixed location relative to the body, the pin including a side surface that is in contact with the body. The retractable fin is rotatable about the pin between an extended position and a retracted position, and the retractable fin includes an engagement portion that is engageable with a first portion of the body and with a second portion of the body. The retractable fin assumes the extended position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the first portion of the body, and the retractable fin assumes the retracted position when the engagement portion is releasably retained by the second portion of the body.

A surfboard includes a core covered with a laminate and having curved perforations in the deck area and the tail area of the surfboard, in order to prevent air blisters from forming between the core and laminate. The curved perforations are deformable under pressure to minimize the opening of the perforations to inhibit liquid from entering and maximizing under zero pressure to allow the maximum amount of trapped liquid and gasses from escaping. The core is formed from an extruded closed-cell polystyrene foam block that has been shaped by restraining it against a shaped form using shaped restraining tools and straps, and heating it; and by cutting using a hot wire. The core is laminated with FIBERGLAS and epoxy resin, and the perforations are formed using a perforating tool that has a planar or curved working surface and one or more heated needles extending perpendicularly from the working surface.

The present invention relates to a polymeric composition suitable for watercrafts or nautical applications. The present invention relates also the use of a transparent polymeric composition for watercrafts. More particularly the present invention relates to a transparent (meth)acrylic polymer composition and relates also to a process for preparing such a (meth)acrylic polymer composition, its use in watercrafts and watercraft comprising it.