American Surfboard Challenge ©
Filming On Location at Coconut Peet's Surfboard Repair & Trading Company
Ready to Accept the Challenge?
Apply to Enter the Contest
Reality TV Show Surfboard Building Competition
In 2023 surfing was the fastest-growing water sport according to a report from the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.
Surfing is dominated by youth – as 71 percent of the total surfing participants are in the 6- to 34-year-old age range, according to the Surf Industry Members Association.
San Diego is known for America's Finest Surfing.
Everyone can imagine themselves surfing. Surfing is for everyone.
SURFING IN AMERICA
GET READY FOR FILMING
American Surfboard Challenge shows the special and exciting surfboard building projects that will come to life during our thirteen weeks of filming. Surfboard building teams compete and get their boards evaluated by our judges. to Each competitor will complete on a different surfboard building project and finish in under four hours. That's right, it's a race to—
SHAPE - FIBERGLASS - SAND - FINISH
as the timer runs!
HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS
American Surfboard Challenge is a reality television game show where builder contestants compete head to head to finish iconic surfboards in less than four hours.
Prizes for the first season include $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd, and $250 for 3rd in each of the first nine quarter final rounds of competition that will highlight a different type of surfboard build in each episode.
The winner of each of the first nine quarter final rounds will than advance to the three semifinal rounds
and the winner of each semifinal round will then go onto the final round to win Season One.
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Contestants need to be experienced surfboard builders capable of completing the 8 steps to build a surfboard in less than four hours.
Surfboard building materials such as a blank, resin, cloth, and color will be provided.
Builder teams should bring their own tools and equipment for shaping and glassing.
CONTESTANT GUIDE
7 STEPS TO BUILDING A SURFBOARD
Beginning Materials
Surfboard Blank: A standard foam blank will be the contestant starting point to build a surfboard in less than four hours.
Pre-Shaped Surfboard Blanks:
Contain a wood stringer often made of Cedar or Basswood
Two foam blocks glued together bind the stringer in the middle of the surfboard
Common lengths 8’2 - 9’9 long, 24* wide, Longboard
Thickness 2 ¾ to 4”, Longboard
#1 Rough Shape
This process strategically grooms and pilots down foam positions to setup key surfboard contours.
Tracing the Template On The Blank: Guiding markings are hand drawn into the blank to guide exact foam removal.
Shapers may use templates to trace outlines. Advanced shaper may choose to free draw cut off points.
Dimensions need be equal on both side of the board
Cutting out the shape is the last step of the rough shape process.
#2 Shape Cut Out
A hand saw is used to cut out based on markings drawn from templates
A cushion of foam needs to remain that will later be removed with sandpaper or sure foam.
The cut should be close but not too close
#3 Finishing Shape
After the hand saw frees the outer foam, sandpaper or a surform are used to even sides
#4 Artwork
Common Art Application Methods:
Air Spray
Pen Drawings
Resin tint
#5 Glassing Fiberglass Cloth
Binds strength into the surfboard by wrapping the blank with fiberglass cloth and resin
Laminating: Bind pre prepared artwork to the surfboard
Ricepaper Prints: Often machine printed artwork onto thin and delicate ricepaper
#6 Finish
Applying, curing & sanding a sun catalyst finishing coating.
#7 Polish
An awe inspiring deep portal showing the surfboard's colors and soul is opening for the world to see!
Surfboard Shapers Tools
- Electric Planer Planer (corded)
- Egg-Crate Sanding Pad
- Balsa Shaping Block
- Pull Saw
- Mini Spokeshave
- David Plane
Tools for Rough Shaping, Cut Out & Finishing Shaping:
- Small Surform
- Large Surform
- Round Surform Rasp
- Shaper Square Pro
- Scissor Calipers
Surfboard Glassing Equipment
- Sander / Polisher,
- 8-inch Sanding Pad,
- 80-Grit Adhesive Discs,
- 120-Grit Adhesive Discs,
- 220-Grit Adhesive Discs,
- Bodi-Bottle
Equipment for Surfboard Finishing
- Quart Size Mixing Cups,
- Re-useable Gloves,
- 4" Chip Brushes,
- 6' Rubber Spreader,
- Masking Tapes
- Vapor Respirator
Win A Woodie in Season 1
The first place surfboard building team in season one will win a classic woody wagon.
