Image legend: Design of surfboard with extra propulsion
Invention Summary:
Surfing’s growth has been rapidly on the rise since the surf media influence of the 1960s and the commercialization of the industry in the 70s and 80s. But recent years have shown us that surfing is truly starting to go mainstream. However, the learning curve of surfing can be very steep. The most difficult part is to catch the wave at the right moment by swimming forward and accelerating. Most of the current self-propelled surf boards are motor based. Even though motors provide more power for longer, the high costs and need to constantly recharge make motor-based solutions impractical. Therefore, a cheap and accessible surfboard designed for beginners is in demand.
Rutgers researchers have designed and manufactured a slingshot-based mechanism that provides supplementary thrust to a surfer incapable of matching the waves momentum through paddling alone. This product is purely mechanical and based on a spring-paddle system attached to the belly side of the board. This provides significant thrust and alleviates some physical burdens of catching a wave. Between the surfer's best effort to paddle and the spring mechanism, the waves can be caught effortlessly.
Market Applications:
• Surfboard
Advantages:
Purely mechanical
Excellent anti-corrosion property
Low cost
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Provisional application filed. Patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. For any business development and other collaborative partnerships, contact: marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu