When it comes to selling twin tips, flex is often used as a marketing feature. Most people know the basics about how flex affects the riding characteristics of a board.  If the board is too stiff it will be bouncy or if it has too much flex it won’t have pop.

 

 

Over the past three years we have been very successful with our speed board designs. From a design perspective, speed kiting is comparative to F1 in motor sport. Most riders on a twin tip won’t go any faster than about 30 knots. The fastest speed kiters are hitting top speeds of 60+ knots. At this speed the smallest ripple in the water will feel like a huge ramp.  The limiting factor when it comes to going fast is keeping control – the more control you have, the faster you can go.

 

 

During the development of the speed boards we discovered that the main key to control is flex. We started experimenting with prototypes where we created different flex patterns by changing the thickness of the core.  From this point onwards we started making real progress very quickly. The result is that the Xelerator custom made speed board – based on the riders weight, was the key to success with 5 National and out right Speed records as well the highest top speed recorded for a sailing vessel on GPS of 61.7 knots.

 

 

The same principles and techniques are also applicable to normal twintips – Thickness Profile Flex Control (TPFC). Based on the diagram you can see the influence body weight has on the rocker line of the board.

 

 

Most standard production boards are designed for riders with an average weight of about 80kg. But what if you are either a lot lighter or heavier?

 

If you don’t fit into the 80kg weight category the board will not give you the same performance purely because the board’s rocker line will no longer match the rocker line from the original design.

 

 

 

During the last phase of our 2010 prototyping we had final tests with normal “average kiters”. We had three identical boards, same size, same rocker. The riders tested the boards back to back not knowing what the differences were and reported back to us via feedback forms.

 

 

The differences between the three boards were the flex patterns. For the majority of the testers their favourite boards could be linked to their matching weight category.

 

 

As a result of these tests we have decided to offer TPFC to our customers. Our “standard boards” are also designed for the 80 kg group however if you don’t fit into that weight category we can provide you with a customized board at no extra cost.

 

FAQ about Xelerator’s TPFC

Doesn’t a board work for me if I am not 80kg?

This doesn’t have to be the case, however you will get more performance out of a TPFC customized board purely as it will compensate for the weight and will provide the correct rocker line.

 

How does TPFC work?

We use a database with different shapes for our wood cores. This is based on two input parameters – the type of board, Freeride or Freestyle and the weight of the rider. According to these inputs the CNC machine will select the matching thickness profile and cut a customized TPFC Wood core.

 

Is a customized TPFC board more expensive?

There are no additional charges, however it is custom made, meaning that it will take a bit longer to deliver.