Gallery: Meet the Big Kahunas of Surfboard Design
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A new book called *[Surf Craft: Design and the Culture of Board Riding](http://www.amazon.com/Surf-Craft-Design-Culture-Riding/dp/0262027607)* by Richard Kenvin demystifies the art, craft, and history of surfboards.
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Modern recreations of a traditional Hawaiian "stand up" boards are heavyweight and meant for cruising. They aren't very maneuverable, but allow riders to "hang ten" with ease.
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A modern recreation of a traditional Hawaiian belly board reflects the simple crafting of the original surfboards.
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Resorts in the US and England tried to build their own early boards with questionable hydrodynamic properties.
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A early body board from Japan.
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An example of inventor Bob Simmons' hydrodynamic planing hull designs. Note the complex curvature of the board's design which increased speed and stability.
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One of Simmons' early experiments was modifying the edges of the board, called "rails," for increased control.
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A resin, fiberglass, and wood bellyboard that marked the mass production phase of the surf market.
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This design captures two iconic styles; the "gun," meant for big wave riding, and the "fish," a more sedate design marked by the puckered tail.
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The tri-fin "thruster" (right) combined the speed of single fin boards with the control of dual fin boards.
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Advances in materials and science have improved the boards, but most designs are still built on a foundation of lessons learned from early experimenters.
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A finless asymmetric board designed to surf machine-generated waves at water parks.
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Modern designs have reflected new research in fluid dynamics and feature asymmetrical designs and fin placements.
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The visual design of boards has also followed the progression of upscale brands and become more minimal as the years pass.
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This modern board eschews fiberglass in favor of hardwood laminated with a waterproof resin.
