WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY

SALOMON S-Core Project – Australia – August 2004
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY IN 90’’
1. The S-Core is a new generation of blank engineered by SALOMON.
2. This blank is shaped and finished like a traditional blank. The board shaped in a S-Core blank is
much more responsive and much faster than a traditional board.
3. The difference comes from an “Inside-Out” engineering resulting in a composite carbon
structure which allows to optimize the flex and the behaviour of the board.
4. Finally, you have a custom shaped board which is more reactive, faster and also lighter. Have a
look!!
Youth
Consumer type
Adults
Most of the WCT pro surfers have a blue board.
With this board you can use shorter specs while
Kieren Perrow: n°6 in the 2003 WCT is surfing
keeping a comfort in paddling and being more
on the blue board for all events.
responsive.
The best is to try it!
You have two options: you can go to the closest S-Core shop: they have some S-Core boards in test.
You can visit the S-Core shapers who carry the S-Core technology.
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY IN 5’
1. The S-Core is a new generation of blank engineered by SALOMON, with the input of the shapers.
2. The main objective for SALOMON was to work on how to improve the performance of Surfboards by using
SALOMON know-how in composite materials and structures. SALOMON did focus his work and research
on the inside of the blank and left the design of the board to the shapers, which is their real job. That’s
why we have been working with some of the best shapers of the world like Eric Arakawa and Greg Webber
to develop this new concept of pre-shaped blank.
3. We also have been working with professional surfers to validate the real gain in performance. A lots of
pro surfers from the WCT and WQS are using the blue boards not because they have a financial contract
with Salomon but only because they do feel a real benefit, both in terms of responsiveness and speed.
Kieren Perrow: n°6 in the 2003 WCT is surfing on the blue board for all events.
4. So what makes the difference between a S-Core Surfboard and a traditional PU board ?
The difference is that a board shaped in a S-Core blank is much more responsive and much faster than
a traditional board. You can fly over sections, get forward speed and dial radical maneuvers. It’s an explosive
board ! In small waves, you always stay on the top of the water and never loose speed. In more consistent
waves, you can make maneuvers easily like in smaller waves.
The big advantage is also the lightness which gives a more responsive board under your feet.
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY IN 5’
5. In fact, the S-Core board is based on the « Twin Shell » structure compared to the PU and Sandwich surfboards which are
one piece surfboards. This Twin Shell has the big advantage to separate the 2 sides of the board : the “Top Shell” which
allows the contact Foot / Board and the “Bottom Shell” which allows the contact Board / Water. To optimize the
contact Foot / Board, we had to focus on comfort. That is the reason why the density of the Top Shell has been engineered to
obtain a “soft” feeling under the feet. To optimize the overall performance, we had to use a stiff bottom for the contact Board /
Water to maximize speed and responsiveness. The inside bottom of the core is laminated with Carbon to stiffen only this side
of the board. Those 2 shells are linked lengthwise by 3 stringers giving a dampen feel to the board.
The principle of internal core in surfboards is completely new. For SALOMON, this is the future of surfboards, like today’s
skis & snowboards which are all designed with an internal structure. The big advantage with the S-Core concept is
that the inside core will evolve. We have today developed the first generation of S-Core which shows already a huge
potential…… it’s only the beginning and we already think of new cores depending of the size of the board, the type of waves
and the style of surfers.
6. How to get a S-Core board ? It’s easy. Shapers do order pre shapes to SALOMON who manufactures the S-Core blanks.
They receive the blanks at their factory, shape them and finish them like a normal board. The only difference is the
lamination : the laminator is using epoxy resin and not polyester resin. The epoxy resin has better mechanical properties
than the polyester resin. For you to know, all other hi-tech fields like the Formula1 and aeronautic are both using epoxy resin
and they dropped the polyester resin a long time ago.
7. To summarize, the S-Core is a new generation of blank engineered by SALOMON. This blank is shaped and finished like a
traditional blank. The board shaped in a S-Core blank is much more responsive and much faster than a traditional board.
The difference comes from an “Inside-Out” engineering resulting in a composite structure which allows to optimize the flex
and the behaviour of the board.
8. The best is to try it ! You have two options: you can go to the closest S-Core shop: they have some S-Core boards in test.
You can visit the S-Core shapers who work with the S-Core technology.
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE “TWIN SHELL” CONCEPT
TOP SHELL (Foot / Board contact)
=> COMFORT
The density of the foamhas been engineered
to obtain a “soft”feeling under the feet
The Top shell is laminated inside with fiberglass
FULL LENGTH INSIDE STRINGERS
(Bottom / Top shell contact)
=> DAMPENING
The 2 shells are linked together lengthwise by
3 stringers giving a dampen feel to the board
BOTTOM SHELL (Board / Water contact)
=> SPEED & RESPONSIVENESS
The density of the foamhas been engineered to obtain a “stiff bottom”
The inside is fully laminated with carbon to only
stiffen this side of the board
A structure that helps to optimize
the flex and the performance of the
board
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE FAQs ABOUT THE S-CORE - ANSWERS
1. How much does it cost ?
High performance products comes out at a higher price. If you consider the internal structure, you
have 2 boards in 1. A S-Core blank is much more Hi Tech than a traditional PU blank by using hi tech
materials like carbon, optimized density foam, decompression valve….
Also you have to know that there is a lot of hand work to build a S-Core blank : foam cutting, 3D template,
assembly of the shells : all those actions position the S-Core as very Hi Tech product.
The Inside core and the materials used give to the board a high level of performance. The composite core
allows the board to last longer. It’s a real investment : I prefer to have one really good board which last
than two average boards which never last more than a year.
That’s however very expensive !!
For me there is no comparison with a traditional board: it’s really 2 different worlds. Would you
nowadays play tennis with an old wooden tennis racket or with an actual one made of composite
materials? Try the S-Core board and you will see !!!!
1. How to repair the S-Core board ? Like a normal board ?
For small dings, you can repair exactly the same way as a traditional board but using epoxy resin
only. You also can use a Solarez Epoxy Repair Kit available in all the good surf shops.
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE FAQs ABOUT THE S-CORE - ANSWERS
1. And if it does break in two ?
Just to be crystal clear, S-Core Surfboards are not unbreakable. You have to handle it with the same
amount of care as your traditional PU board : a S-Core board might break in 2 in the Shore Break for
example.
Kieren PERROW (N°6 on the WCT) normally breaks around 10 PU boards every winter in Hawaii. Last
winter he surfed 99% of the time on S-Core and broke only 2.
To compare the resistance of the S-Core versus the PU, we did some crash tests: a S-Core board is
10% stronger than a PU board.
4. S-Core boards are all blues ? Why this color ?
The raw foam used to build the S-Core blank is blue. We had the choice between different colors
knowing that each color represent one density and resistance to denting. We choose the blue because
this foam was the best ratio in terms of strength and performance. The blue color is in fact a good
way to make the difference with the white PU surfboards. Also you can make a deco on a S-Core blank like
a traditional board.
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE FAQs ABOUT THE S-CORE - ANSWERS
5. I can’t get a S-Core board at my specs !
At this point in time you cannot have a fully personalized S-Core surfboard. However, the shapers are
working on a full quiver with performance that may surpass the need for full custom board. In the
future, you will be able to get an inside out custom board thing which is impossible with the other existing
technologies.
6. It’s an Epoxy Board ! A sandwich board like Surftech !
A surfboard shaped in a S-Core blank is not an Epoxy Sandwich board. Epoxy boards technology is
coming from windsurfing. It’s a board shaped from a full expended polystyrene foam (used for the core)
wrapped in a sandwich layering using a high density foam like Airex. The expanded polystyrene foam has
no mechanical properties. Also a ding or a crack on an Epoxy board quickly soaked up water, meaning it
had to be decommissioned for at least a week to dry out before it could be fixed.
7. Are S-Core boards environmentally friendly?
The foam used to built the core is approved by the most strict standards (German ones).
Extruded polystyrene foam can be recycled. To finish a S-Core blank, the shaping time is reduced
compared to a normal PU blank. So the shaper does less dust per board shaped!
Moreover, SALOMON has attained the ISO 9002 standard, a European standard for environmental
concerns that goes well beyond all US standards.
WHAT IS THE S-CORE TECHNOLOGY ?
THE FAQs ABOUT THE S-CORE - ANSWERS
08. What kind of fin system can you apply?
So far, we have tried FCS, Future Fin, Red X and Speed fin systems.
They are all working fine. Any kind of fin system can be used on a S-Core blank.
SALOMON S-Core Project – Australia – August 2004
THE S-CORE VERSUS THE OTHERS
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
THE S-CORE vs SURFTECH
• SURFTECH is a brand of surfboards manufactured by COBRA in Thailand.
• They use the Tuflite® construction which is an old technology used by the windsurf industry.
• The SURFTECH surfboards are Epoxy sandwich made surfboards.
• Their positioning and claim : Lighter Stronger Proven.
• SurfTech is signing license agreements with some famous shapers to duplicate their templates and use
them with their Tuflite® technology. So boards are not shaped by these shapers but they are just a copy.
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
THE S-CORE vs SURFTECH
Construction type:
 A core made of expanded polystyrene foam : very low mechanical properties (mostly used for packaging).
 This core is wrapped in a high density layer of foam (Airex) : very stiff and brown -> needs to be painted.
 Epoxy lamination.
+ Good resistance to dings
+ Lightweight ness
-
Molded surfboards – no custom made
Rigidity and comfort under feet
No foot print
Non hydrophobic core (when the board
absorbed some water, the board is dead)
- This kind of construction is very limited in terms
of evolution
- Expanded polystyren soaks up water: hard to
dry
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
THE S-CORE vs PU
Construction type:
 A core made of expanded polyurethane foam : very low mechanical properties (also used for isolation)
with a generally one centered wooden stringer for rigidity (acting like a beam).
 This core is wrapped in fiberglass with polyester resin.
 Main manufacturers : Clark Foam (California), Bennet (Australia), Burford (Australia).
+ 100% shapable/custom made
+ Feeling under feet : the board has good
dampening properties while the deck enables the
foot print
-
Very old technology (about 40 years old)
Resistance to dings
Short lasting mechanical properties
Very limited in terms of evolution
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
Shaping
Designing
Custom
structure
Shapability
Mech. properties
Custom
Pot. of evolution
++++
++
-
++
+++
+++
-
+++
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
THE DIFFERENCE IN THE MATERIALS
FOAM
EXPANDED
POLYURETHANE
EXPANDED
POLYSTYRENE
(+ layer of Airex)
STRINGER
FIBER
WOOD
Ø
FIBER GLAS S
FIBER GLAS S
1
EXTRUDED
POLYSTYRENE
3
P OLYPROP YLENE
FIBER GLAS S
+ CARBON
RESIN
P OLYES TER
EPOXY
EPOXY
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
HOW TO POSITION THE S-CORE
The S-Core is not competing directly with the existing types of boards, it is complementary.
RETAIL PRICE
S U R F LE V E L
HIGH END
PROS
ULTIMATE
LOW END
ENTRY
BEGINNERS
THE S-CORE VERSUS OTHERS
CRASH TEST MEASUREMENT (between S-Core and PU boards)
F o r c e in K g
POINT OF BREAK AGE
5 5 ,3 m m – 3 4 8 k g
4 1 ,9 m m – 3 1 7 k g
S -C o r e b o a r d
PU
a
bo
rd
Dis p l a c e m e n t in m m
The S-Core surfboard is 1 0 % s t r o n g e r than a PU board
(breakage spot = a wave breaking on the middle of the board)