A Kiama scientist somewhat “addicted to surfing” has found a way to incorporate his favoured sport with his research - revolutionising surfboard fins.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Professor Marc in het Panhuis has been leading a team at the University of Wollongong to create custom-designed 3D printed fins that allow surfers to improve their performance.
The team has been working with Illawarra surf brands, local intermediate and advanced surfers and one international surfer on the pro-tour circuit.
“A friend of mine Geoff Latimer visited my labs and he said ‘do you reckon you can 3D print fins’, so then I started looking into it,” said Professor in het Panhuis.
“So I put together a team that involves a human geographer, a biomechanics expert, computational fluid dynamics experts and surfers … and we started working.”
It’s part of UOW’s Global Challenges program and aims to rethink current designs and manufacturing techniques to create new shapes, sizes and materials that are more efficient and tailored to the individual's needs and the different waves.
Research began last September and has included compiling data from a GPS tracking device fitted to various rider’s boards, then compared with the data of a pro rider.
The device tracks everything from wave count and top speed to the biggest turn and highest air.
The professor has logged around 2000 waves including some good ones from the Gold Coast.
“I had to go to Snapper Rocks for work, that was really hard,” he joked.
Professor in het Panhuis said the project, at its core, was about changing manufacturing in the Wollongong region.
He hopes to eventually have 3D printers in every surf shop so people can order their customised boards with their customised fins.
The team was already in talks with several manufacturers including DP Surfboards, Phil Byrne, Skipp, Dylan Longbottom and Nick Carabai.
The team is also looking into using recycled materials, though they need to find the right combination that will make the fins more efficient.
Global Challenges manufacturing innovation leader Professor Geoff Spinks said the project has the potential to strengthen Australia’s competitive edge in niche manufacturing.
“Australian surfboard makers are some of the best in the world, but they face strong competition from cheaper imports,” he said.
