XTR Surfboards

Could be rad.

 

I've never ordered from them, but I can tell you that XTR refers to "extruded" polystyrene foam. It's the same kind of foam as EPS, but it extruded rather than "expanded." It's just a different process, which does not result in beads of foam that are fused together. The foam comes out of an extruder, rather than a mold. It has been around for a long time, and is proven to produce quality boards, as long as the construction is good. The problem with extruded polystyrene traditionally has been getting a good bond between the skin and the shaped blank that resists delamination, particularly when subjected to heat.

The old solution was to actually perforate the skin. People didn't like that because water would seep into the board through the holes, and while the foam won't absorb water, it still lead to issues. Newer construction methods may prevent these issues... or may have come up with other solutions to the problems XTR has traditionally had.

Basically what I see from the website is a CNC'd blank, hand finished, then laminated. You can customize the shape easily with a couple clicks of a mouse, and no stringers to worry about. Carbon or other stiffeners laminated into the skins provide stiffness and control flex.

 

Sounds as if "extruded" is nothing more than coffee cup foam beads....lol.

 

I'm a poly kind of fella, so I'm afraid I can't provide any insight.

 

I’ve had xtr boards in the past but never ordered through the website. I liked the board and I think the tech is good. Their are people on surfer mag design forum who swear by it and know more about the process. You could look there for more info. I plan on ordering more xtr boards in the future.

 

Where are you going?

 

I live 2 miles from their factory and I've owned/own a couple. Out of my Coils, FCDs, and XTRs; I like the XTRs best. They ride and feel a lot more like polyurethane than a regular polystyrene blank and XTR's glass jobs are top notch and very strong. Their only downside is that they're very heat susceptible, so don't leave them in your car. Javier aka Javi, the guy who owns it, absolutely rips. Excellent customer service too.

Pretty much every Tomo handshape I've ever seen was shaped on XTR foam and glassed at Epoxy Pro.

 

On the xps foam with the pinhole style of venting ,the pinholes just get full of junk from the wax and dirt ,the gore tex membranes on the deck plugs rot after a few years ,the venting is more of an issue with lighter weight foams and skinned boards (firewire,sunova) and HWS .
polyurethane foam does not need venting

 

850 for a 6'2" delivered ,is that a good deal?

 

It is if you need to be part of the "in-crowd"........

 

It is if you're tired of riding 60 year old PU/PE 'technology.'

 

Neither does EPS, although the superlight foams, like they use in SUPs and prone paddleboards, are often vented because there's so much air between the beads. Heat that air up, and it will expand so much it will blow the lamination/skin off the blank.

 

My whole quiver is either xtrs or eps. have only dinged one so far, they are durable and lightweight.

 

If I need the further light weight of an epoxy board, I will go take a pee before going surfing. If I need the further weight reduction of an strs, I will add in taking a poo.
Pee + poo = epoxy board.
Barrys' board weight formula for moronic surfers.
You are all welcome!!