Mick Fanning surfs on a 3D printed surfboard

While the automobile and aerospace industries have typically been the dominate leaders in 3D printing technology, new industries are beginning to take notice of this technology’s capabilities. The sporting industry is now a contender within the 3D printing technology race, bringing us a new 3D printed surfboard, that gives an old sport a new look.

Mick Fanning, also known as “White Lightning,” is an Australian professional surfer who has dived right into this technology, riding a new 3D printed surfboard that is opening a whole new door for the surfing world. Developed under Red Bull High and created by Performance Engineer Brandon Larson, this 3D printed board marks a huge breakthrough in 3D printing for sports.

Fanning’s original surfboard

“The whole point was to explore what was possible and see if you could create a 3D printed performance surfboard, and the answer is: absolutely you can.” Explained Larson

According to Fanning, the shapes, curves and angles were made to perfection from the front to the back. In addition, the board was able to include small details that are often too difficult to create by hand on a regular basis. Thanks to 3D printing, these details were able to be included, making the board surfing perfection.

“We introduced techniques used in the aerospace industry when making plane wings and fuselage. It’s giving performance surfboards that F1 treatment.”

Fanning and the 3D printed surfboard

To create the board, they began by printing it into 10 separate pieces, which took around 100 hours to complete. Once printing was finished, the parts were then pieced and glued together to form the deck. After the parts were securely glued, the board was then sealed with fiberglass or “glassed.”

Fanning did admit that the 3D printed board was twice as heavy as a regular board, sitting at a good 12lbs. However, Proto3000, the 3D printing company who actually manufactured the board, thinks it will be possible to reduce its weight and that it can then be used in surfing competitions and offer significant advantages.

“One of the things we’ve been working on is a dissolvable core,” explained Proto3000 engineer Chris McAloney. With this dissolvable core, they’ll be able to print the design, wrap a fibrous material around it and seal it. Afterwards, they’ll dissolve the core, leaving it hallow and thus, lightweight.

Although this isn’t the first 3D printed surfboard, this initiative promises considerable benefits for the future of 3D printing in the sports industry.

To learn more about this project, check out the Red Bull page here, or check out the video below:

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