Parabolic Stringers Explained

 

Traditionally, all surboards required a stringer (stiffener) to strengthen the core of surfboards. Without a stringer, (always centrally placed down the middle of a blank), the core became too flexible and too prone to breakage. Stringers have usually been wood. The best stringers are made from knot-free milled timber chosen for strength, not brittle, usually a blond wood such as American basswood.  Australian blank manufacturers have mostly used ply stringers, which have served them well. US Blanks best selling stringer is unidirectionally milled basswood in a range of sizes. Stringers also come in varous other woods such as Birch, Redwood, Laminated Ply, Cedar and Balsa.

 

 Parabolic Stringers scribe a parabolic arc along the rails of surfboards different for each length of board, and are set for pre-determined flex patterns. They are bent to form a shape that offers very different strength and flex patterns to a surfboard. Difficult to fix to the blank as the blank has first to be cut in a parabolic arc, the wooden stringer is bent and glued to fit. It must also follow the rocker line of the board - very difficult as the rocker is usually set by the centre stringer. Only one company in the world has refined the parabolic process - US Blanks in the USA.

   

Click on this download section for the US blanks catalogue of Parabolic Stringers Configurations.