There is a doctoral student that posted over on Swaylocks discussing determining the natural frequency of a surfboard. The procedure, discussion and references are <a href="http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/hard-numbers-flex-demystify-flex-patterns" target="_blank">here</a>. <BR> <BR>A YouTube video of the procedure being performed is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BdB4NXrMI" target="_blank">here</a> <BR> <BR>Lastly, the audio file to perform the test is listed towards the end of the links <a href="http://www.boardformula.com/referencelinks/" target="_blank">here</a>.

I had to try it to see if there was any consistency to the boards that I felt rode well. <BR> <BR>My setup and the first board in my test: <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748518.jpg" alt="Upload">

My family refused to take anymore pictures after this one. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748521.jpg" alt="Upload">

The boards that I tested: <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/87668/748524.jpg" alt="Upload">

Interestingly enough, the boards that have ridden the best had a natural frequency of 3.3 Hz, boards that were slow and unresponsive tended to have natural frquencies less than this and boards that were fast, but didn't feel alive had natural frequencies above the 3.3 Hz. <BR> <BR>I don't know how to build a board to that specification, but it was an interesting test. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Nice test! it is almost like this could open up a whole new category of boards, or at least help us specify which boards are best for each rider. I should try this test, but i am scared my boards would just end up breaking,,hahahah

One last question, Do you cook with your computer???

LOL - it looks that way doesn't it? <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> Actually I dropped my old laptop and the screen quit working...I salvaged that old monitor from the office and plugged it in to the video output, as I continue to recover files from the old beast of a laptop. <BR> <BR>The reflex of the boards I think is fairly important, if you've ever ridden a "magic" board, they just feel alive underfoot. On the sample boards they would resonate at 3.3 Hz, but for James who is 40 pounds less than I am they would resonate at 4.0 Hz...it makes me think that stiffer boards might help us heavier folks achieve a more responsive board. <BR> <BR>I'd bet your boards will do fine, the worst case scenario is they'll just bend and touch the floor. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

thats why the big board was 6/6 top and bottom.

Did you do this for James' main board? 3.3 &amp; 4.0 for his board? <BR> <BR>New shoes?

@ Jim Beam - I was thinking more along the lines of a thicker board, at least through the middle. <BR> <BR>@ dtw - not on his current stick. I should have! Why yes! Thanks so much for noticing. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

I think we would all rather see a video of you 'drumming' on your surfboards. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/proud.gif" border=0>

Yeah - I get that request all the time, it's hard being a celebrity. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> <BR> <BR>I almost had to bribe Judy to take the one picture and she left the house right afterwards, muttering under her breath: you are so weird. <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> As if that was a recent discovery?! <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Jeff, go out and buy that woman a box of chocolate for putting up with you!

Oh my! There isn't enough chocolate in the world to compensate! <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0>

Buy her a chocolate subscription or something then.