Okay we ain’t about to get all technical on you because no one likes to read bullshit so here it is. We’ve written up all of our Technology section (materials & shapes) in bodyboarding terms so it will make it easier to understand the theory in what makes a board perform in different wave conditions. Hopefully some of your questions will be answereed as you read through.

» Materials

» Shapes

Materials

» Mission

Being a nuskool bodyboard company starting from scratch acquiring the best materials isn’t exactly an easy task, afterall we ain’t millionaires, we’re bodyboarders. But nonetheless Tully has secured the best materials available as well as working with different manufacturers to produce our own exclusive stringer and mesh systems. This combination equals out to a high performance board that has a ride like no other.

» Polypro

At Funkshen after extensive research we have found that our expanded polypro provides the best ride out of all the different types of polypro on the market. We use Extruded Polypropylene at 1.9 p.c.f (pounds per cubic feet) which is slightly heavier but stronger than 1.5 p.c.f with a thickness of 49mm and 50mm, imported from Sentinal USA. Our “Superlite’ polypro is strong, light, very durable and above all not too stiff. Having some flex properties increases the manoeuvrability and projection of the core making it the perfect choice for a light weight performance bodyboard. It’s recoil is outstanding due to this fact because it can flex. The harder you push it the harder it springs back, which in turn creates speed out of turns and additional pop when hitting the lip. The choice of most professional bodyboarders.

Pros> Light, strong, fast, high project properties, holds it’s shape, virtually waterproof

Cons> Can be too stiff in really cold water, depending on personal board requirements

» Engineered Flex Core™ (EFC)

Funkshen is proud to introduce the Engineered Flex Core™ (EFC™) to our range of cores. The EFC™ is engineered with Variable flex stringers to mimic the qualities of a PE core, but with superior projection, recoil and durability required by the professional Bodyboarder.
Pros> Light, strong, fast, superior projection, recoil and durability, virtually waterproof, more control, less bounce, softer on landings. Great in most water temperatures

» Polyethylene

The original bodyboard core for over two decades is still going strong. Polyeth or dow as it is referred to when compared to polypro is heavier and more flexier. We use Suntec P.E foam with a thickness of 49mm and 50mm, imported from Asahi, Japan. This is the best polyethylene on the market which is stronger and stiffer than some of the other polyethylene cores available. We have tested them all. Polyethylene rides with more control and is more forgiving when taking big drops and landing airs out into the flats. The reason behind this is that it has more flex and therefore absorbs some of the shock from heavy landings, chop or steps in the waveface.
Pros> More control, less bounce, softer on landings, great for cold water

Cons> Can feel heavy in small waves, heat can effect its shape and make it to flexy

» Crosslink

This core is also made of polyethylene but of a greater density, meaning the bubbles that make up the foams construction are really tiny. Logic would mean that this core is reall heavy but the truth of the matter is that in fact it is as light as polypro and is waterproof. We use High Density Polyethylene with a thickness of 49mm and 50mm, imported from Zotefoam, U.K. The beauty about this core is that it rides like dow but it is as light as polypro, giving the rider the best of both worlds.

Pros> Feels broken in after first surf, light, fast with flex to handle heavy drops and airs

Cons> Gets rocker after months of punishment but can be bent flat, easy to elbow dent.

» Deckskins

We use the most comfortable deckskins available whilst not sacrificing on stiffness and durability. We use Polyethylene 8lb deckskins with a polypro backing to bond to polypro cores with a thickness of 4mm, imported from Sealed Air, USA> These deckskins add to the look, comfort and overall performance of each board.

» Rails

We also use Polyethylene 8lb rails as this adds uniformity whilst creating a stronger rail which in turn gives your board more life, stiffness and performance. This material is the best to use on the outer rail as it is soft and therefore makes it easier for your hand to mould around the rail creating a comfortable grip that is so good it just feels natural.

» Body Guards

To add to the performance and durability and performance of our boards we use 4mm High density crosslink bodyguards. We use these on all Polypro (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) boards for the inner rail and nose and tail bumpers to protect them from the heavy abuse these 2 areas receive whilst surfing. Bodyguards increase the overall strength of our boards’ structural design.

» Slicks

When only the best will do. We use Mirror Finished Surlyn slicks with a thickness of 1.5mm, whilst using the highest grade (quality) available. Tested and proven as an industry standard surlyn still provides the best amount of stiffness and flex to provide the board with the perfect amount of projection when combined with the other materials that make up a board. For those who like a stiffer board we also run with Marlon Mirror Finished slicks at a thickness of 2mm which performs similar to surlyn.

» Mesh

Projection, projection. The new Funkshen Hypermesh when combined with any of our cores gives your board that extra boost you’ve been searching for. Made in Australia, Hypermesh adds to the overall nose to tail strength meaning you can surf harder on your board and get rewarded. Just like an elastic band, the harder you bend it the harder it springs back giving you that extra projection that’ll leave you holding onto your hat. We dare you to try it.

» Stringers

Cfx – Controlled Flex. Produced in Australia. Our unique stringer system made up of woven carbon fibre and glass gives our boards that extra controlled flex when performing any radical manoeuvre. With just the perfect amount of thickness and length, CFX Stringers are highly recommended in ensuring the maximum performance out of your board. All CFX Stringers are capped to prevent inner core damage and movement.

» VARIABLE FLEX STRINGERS

Variable flex stringers are a flat tabular stringer that are used in combination with the EFC core to produce the flex, recoil and projection riders are looking for in a performance board.

Shapes

» Prone

Prone shapes are generally shaped with a medium-wide nose, a high wide point, meaning the width of the board is just a few inches below your elbow where you drive off and a fairly narrow tail. A good prone shape is one that has a nice rounded curve towards the nose with a decent amount of volume (board) in this area, not too wide through the middle with nice straight lined running into the tail. If the tail is too narrow it won’t have the drive and will want to release into a spin. A curve that is too rounded ie. wide nose, narrow tail, won’t be near as fast as a board with a straighter curve through the middle and into a wider tail.

» Versatile

Versatile shapes are more straighter than prone shapes with the nose and tail width slightly smaller on the nose and wider on the tail. The wide point for this type of shape is dropped also to allow for enough rail to drive off prone or dropknee. The width of the board stays around the same to a tiny bit bigger depending on individual needs, but if any board is too wide it will be too hard to tum. The best type of curve to look out for is a curve that extends further down the nose than a prone board with fairly straight lines going into the tail.

» Dropknee

Dropknee shapes are opposite to prone shapes ie, narrow nose, wide tail. The wide point of a dropknee board is aimed at the middle or just above this area just above the knee where the rail is driving off. It is critical to have a good curve that helps keep the rail in the water as this is the only area where weight can be placed. As with all boards shapes vary and riders like different shapes depending on their style. With dropknee boards the width can play an important factor in the performance, too wide and it will be too hard to turn yet stable and too narrow and it will be harder to land floaters yet more throwable. The best type of curve to look for is one that has a medium – small nose width, rounded through to the wide point and then to get as straight as possible into a wide tail.

» Tails

All Funkshen Bodyboards are handcrafted and the proof is in the tails. We put a lot of care and attention into hand shaping the tails to make them as comfortable, strong and functional as possible. All tails are rolled meaning no tail piece, which not only looks and feels good but means one less seam that can delaminate producing a stronger board overall. The other great feature about the rolled tail is your hips sit a little higher on the board which changed the amount of leg dragging in the water, thus making you go faster. Bulky, ugly corners are a thing of the past at Funkshen as we sand these corners rounding them off to create a super comfortable, functional tail.

» Bat Tail

Bat tails are designed for big waves to provide the board with more drive and manoeuvrability due to the extra surface area that the bat tail created. The bat also makes the tail a lot looser which helps to release the board from the lip when performing airs. Bat tails work well with channels as they help counteract the looseness that the bat creates increasing the handling of the tail. Most pro’s who ride prone ride a bat tail.

» Clipped Tail

Clipped tails are designed for all wave conditions. They have the most control due to the amount of edge that the clipped tail has. The bigger the curve of the crescent the more hold it will have and the smaller a curve or shallowness will make the tail looser. Many pro’s still ride the clipped tail as it allows the rider to be able to prone or dropknee without any restrictions. It is by far still the most comfortable performance tail and works great with or without channels.

» Funky Tail

The Funky Tail is designed to create more manoeuvrability in and around the tube. Ideal for powerful short waves or shorebreaks. It works by having the angle of the pegs (the straight corners on a clipped tail) angled upwards, thus shortening the rail. This gives the feeling of riding a shorter board for the manoeuvrability whilst still retaining.

» Full Crescent

Full crescent tails are similar to a clipped tail but the size of the pegs are greatly reduced. This gives the board a lot more hold and control. Once again this type of tail works great with or without channels.

» Hipgrooves

Hipgrooves are an extra comfort feature designed for bat tails. Because the extra length that the bat tail created your hips have a lot of board underneath them so to make it more comfortable when landing airs the are where your hips stick out is sanded out of the tail so that more area around your hips takes the impact rather than the main points of your hips. Funkshen hipgrooves are stylish and functional and not an extra gimmick.

» Rails

There are two main types of rails used on bodyboards, these are either 60/40 or 50/50. The top part of the rail closest to the deck is called the chime. On all Funkshen Bodyboards the chime is rolled from the deck just like the tail and nose so they are all one, smooth and seamless. 60/40 means just 60% rail, on the bottom, 40% chime on the top. The bigger the rail means greater control. As the water wraps around the rail the more surface area attracts more traction in the wave face, thus gaining more edge. 50/50 rails are evenly distributed which is the more comfortable rail to hold but is a bit looser than 60/40. Both rail combinations work well with 60/40 aimed more towards prone and 50/50 being more towards versatile and dropknee. Our rails have an angle of between 50-35 as this has been proven to produce an excellent amount of edge, drive and manoeuvrability.

» Channels vs Flat Bottoms

For years many people have tested different bottom features with many working and many just being cheap gimmicks in an attempt to sell a board. The flat bottom and channeled bottom still remain as the two main choices. Basically channels create drag at the bottom corner of the tail close to the rail. This increases the edge of the rail and allows for more control through turns and handling in the tube where the wave face is very steep. For prone riding channels work well in bats and crescents. But for the dropknee depending on your style and preference flat bottoms work really well because you can throw the tail around without having an edge that catches water. Both designs are just as fast as each other and at the end of the day it is your rail and the line you draw that depicts how fast you go and whether your slide out or not..

» Thumblocks

Funkshen Tumblocks are just another reason to go custom. Depending on how you hold your board if you can think of a way that will enhance your grip whilst busting off the lip and it sounds feasible then we can make it. Otherwise if you don’t have the foggiest idea then we can run you through the most popular and functional thumblocks available.

» Nose Bulbs

Nose bulbs are an extra comfort, functional feature at the nose of your board, on the bottom or slick side. These small triangle shaped lumps activate your fingertips when wrapped over the nose of the board for that extra grip in tight situations. One of our most requested custom features today.