Imagine for moment, a surfboard that could adapt to whatever wave conditions you’re surfing, even while out in the water. A shapeshifting surfboard that could alter its length, thickness, fin setup, even dimensions and rocker. Sounds nuts doesn’t it? Not so, because Oakley has teamed up with Australian technology firm Airbag Labs, who have been busy at work in Melbourne designing a new concept surfboard that could do just that.
The Future Sport Project
This ambitious endeavour is part of Oakley’s Future Sport Project, and they’ve recruited Western Australia ripper Jack Wilkinson as part of the quest. Sitting side-by-side with the tech guys, Wilkinson will help give a surfers perspective to the project. The project is still in a conceptual stage with no working prototypes ready to try out, but everyone involved is amped. Wilkinson is excited to see the results, saying, “To have a surfboard that could change like that, if it worked, that would be pretty amazing.”
Can It Be Done?
Whether or not the shapeshifting surfboard will become a reality is unclear, but the technology to make it a reality is available. There is a material called conductive aerographene, the lightest material ever created, and it can expand and contract when electric currents are sent through it. By constructing the board out of this material, and installing a touch screen panel to alter dimensions, Airbag Labs believes it can create a surfboard that changes its shape in realtime, and while out in the ocean.
Features Include…
Other features of this futuristic surfboard include collapsable carbon fiber fins so the board can be ridden as a thruster, twin fin or single fin, and a voice activated option that will let surfers talk to the board to make it change shape. It will use lithium-ion micro-batteries that are solar powered and ultra fast charging. The surface of the board with even be adapted so that its has optimal grip with no wax needed.
Radical or Ridiculous?
Now there is no denying that a shapeshifting surfboard could be a wonderful thing, but the likelihood is that if this ever became a reality the board would cost much more than the average surfer could afford. Also, is a voice activated surfboard really that cool? Lots of new materials and designs have eased their way through the surf industry but still the foam and fibreglass holds its own. But who knows, perhaps the shapeshifting surfboard can change all that. Let’s wait and see…