The typical skateboard is made of laminated wood. Wood is durable, relatively lightweight, and has the flex and bounce required by the average sidewalk surfer. What it's not is waterproof or particularly exciting. The Hydroflex Skateboard has all these attributes, plus it comes with a honeycomb-on-acid design.
Hydroflex is actually known more for its 3-D surfboard glassing technique that's used in boards from Lost, Surf Prescriptions, and Proctor. Instead of just wrapping the shaped expanded polystyrene (EPS) or polyurethane (PU) foam boards in fiberglass or epoxy, the company uses a glassing technique that roots the fiberglass and resin into the foam about an eighth to a quarter of an inch. This prevents the epoxy from separating from the foam core of the surfboard known as delamination. The skateboards take this system and go one step further with injected color resin.
The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam and tri-axle fiberglass core of the skateboard are tougher than the foam core of Hydroflex surfboards. The stronger core is formed into a honeycomb pattern. That is then placed into a two-part hard mold where the epoxy resin is injected. Two colors of resin are injected to give each board it's own unique color combination. The result is a durable skateboard that when held to light, glows.
The construction, while light is still very durable with the edges, nose, and tail reinforced internally. During break tests at Hydroflex, the boards were stronger than wood boards. Plus, unlike wood, the foam and fiberglass boards can be molded into any shape Hydroflex desires. Of course, it would probably be in their best interest to continue making them actually look like skateboards.
A kickstarter for the boards is already well on its way to being funded. And when the boards become available at the beginning of next year, you'll be able to choose from deck designs like the Crilla Micro-cruiser ($90), the Beach Leach ($110), and the Angler downhill/freeride board ($230).
Roberto is a Wired Staff Writer for Gadget Lab covering cord-cutting, e-readers, home technology, and all the gadgets that fit in your backpack. Got a tip? Send him an email at: roberto_baldwin [at] wired.com.
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