PURPOSE
After much thought, programming and testing, we agreed that the type of SUP board we wanted to create needed a long, sleek shape with a low bottom curvature ( rocker ) , but with a surface that was large enough to be able to plan. When we paddle a SUP board, we always need to be able to handle different shapes of waves. For example, when we paddle downwind and with the waves, we will also be able to increase our speed significantly. When the speed increases, we will soon catch up with the wave in front and if we do not have time to steer or trim the board in time, the bow will dive into the wave in front, which slows down significantly.
Form
To minimize the effect of this, we saw that a slight v-shaped nose was what we were looking for. We also saw that if the bottom curvature was lifted significantly in the bow, we could prevent the SUP board from digging in further. If the bow were to end up underwater, we saw that if we distributed a large part of the volume wide and low, about three quarters forward, the bow would lift smoothly out of the water and we could then push on the speed again. Overall, we also saw that the Kona Ocean, with its slim bow and profile, usually cuts straight through the wave ahead without significantly reducing speed.
Function
In order to make the Kona Ocean as easy to paddle as possible in crosswinds and headwinds, we also needed to consider aerodynamics. We saw that the front of the board needed a different shape than what we had seen in previous SUP boards. To achieve this, we needed to minimize the volume but without the board losing buoyancy and diving.
Aerodynamics
The aerodynamically proven shape makes it easier for the board to stay on course in crosswinds and is less slowed down in headwinds. The impact of the wind is also reduced when it is steered into a tailwind. The consensus is that we can now put all our energy into pushing the board in the right direction instead of having to put all our effort into fighting the wind and waves. Now we have the opportunity to use these to our advantage.
Planing
In order for this SUP board to have the best conditions to glide as efficiently and effortlessly as possible in all conditions, we saw that a so-called planing hull was preferable. In order for the board to be able to plan more easily and lie high in the water when paddling in rough seas, we shaped the underside of the hull with a single concave in the bow that gradually transitions to a double concave at the rear to provide lift and release. In the stern, the concavities are smoothed out to give the board release and the right properties to be able to be steered and surfed in waves.
Balance
The result of this multi-year and extensive design process with countless tests and measurements was a SUP board whose basic shape is now elegant and classic in character, with a well-proportioned and balanced surface from bow to stern that enhances its ability to maintain speed. This also makes the Kona Ocean less sensitive to longitudinal weight changes , which means we can put more effort into propelling and trimming the board without having to compensate for involuntary rolling (roll).
Frequency
Through all our testing we have also seen that a SUP board like the Kona Ocean with a so-called planing fin, benefits from being paddled at a slightly higher frequency/cadence (number of paddle strokes per minute). The idea with this type of board is that it should be high in the water to minimize water friction and then we need to keep a slightly higher frequency in relation to a SUP board with a displacement fin such as the Kona Numinous .
Surfing
During the functional testing, it turned out that the Kona Ocean boards work perfectly for surfing and paddling in breaking waves. Through its unique design and the ability to adjust the fin position, it is exceptionally easy to catch waves early with a 14-foot board and to turn using both the rear edges of the board and the optimally placed fin box . This SUP board can relatively easily perform everything from so-called “ bottom / top turns ” and “ cutbacks ” to “ noseriding ”. Just remember to also wax the bow and attach the catch strap to the rear bracket out of pure self-preservation.
Sustainable design
One of the most important parameters in this development work has always been about quality, i.e. the durability of the board over time. Since we have now seen that the hull shape itself is so functional and fast that it will help everyone to develop and enjoy SUP training and win competitions for many years to come, we also wanted the construction to last at least as long. Our aspiration and goal is that at least three people should be able to use each individual SUP board from Kona for at least three years. Which also means that all our SUP boards for competition and training need a lifespan of more than 9 years.
Construction
The big questions then became how we could design a SUP board that would meet our high standards and who could build it. After testing and rejecting countless prototypes from different manufacturers around the world, we began to despair. Our own vision of what SUP was all about differed markedly from the rest of the board sports industry, an industry that we all had experience with but also found it difficult to reconcile ourselves with.
Sports car
By pure chance, we came into contact with a manufacturer who was outside the industry we knew, a manufacturer of exclusive parts for sports cars. Suddenly we had someone with the know-how to both build and produce what we were looking for in a SUP board , but it also required a manufacturing method that no other board manufacturer could handle. Slowly the chain began to link together, now we had a partner who actually lived up to our high standards and who wanted to be part of our effort to create sustainable products and a sustainable manufacturing process.
Hull construction
Kona's composite SUP boards are built around an ultra-lightweight CNC-milled EPS foam core with custom reinforcements to regulate stiffness in all planes. The EPS core is then covered with a fiber laminate of both carbon and glass, which is then pressed under pressure in a heat mold. Together with the hull shape, the amount of carbon fiber determines how reactive the board is, and the more carbon fiber, the faster the board reacts to the paddle stroke and how we move on the board, which can be both positive and negative depending on how used we are to SUP paddling.
Manufacturing process
This advanced technology is what gives a construction with low weight and that at the same time can withstand all kinds of stress. The ratio between thermoset plastic and fiber laminate is crucial for the quality and function of the final product and is carefully controlled throughout the process, all to achieve optimal stiffness and strength in relation to weight. This construction forms the basis for a SUP board that should last for 10 years of daily paddling.
Volume
The Kona Ocean is designed with an optimally adjusted volume in relation to the weight of the paddler it is supposed to carry and the cruising speed at which the board is intended to be paddled. Our extensive field tests on the water have shown that a balanced volume distribution is crucial for how the SUP board will function in different conditions and how the board reacts to different loads during paddling. To counteract pitching and to make the board as functional as possible, we have added more volume to the stern .
Volume distribution
With a so-called adapted volume, the board provides good stability even when the board is steered from the stern, i.e. there is enough buoyancy to carry the paddler even when standing at the stern during, for example, a pivot turn. The increased volume at the stern also makes it easier for the SUP board to catch waves when paddling downwind, for example. The raised standing surface also helps water to run off the board more easily and allows water that has been washed over the edges to flow down towards and out through the double drainage holes.
Deck
The deck of the Kona Ocean has a mat in EVA of the highest quality with a so-called diamond structure to provide optimal grip and to facilitate circulation in the feet during long paddling. The deck mat is also sunk into the deck so that the board can maintain as low a center of gravity as possible. An extra so-called surf mat is also included. This is intended to be used when you want to surf with the board in breaking waves and then provides extra grip and support when you stand in a surfing position with your back foot across the board. The surf mat is then placed at the stern, just in front of the rear attachment for the safety strap.
Drainage
For efficient drainage, the Kona Ocean is designed with dual drain holes. These are recessed into the sides of the board with a negative stern angle to prevent water from flowing back into the board. The deck also slopes slightly outwards on the sides to allow water to naturally flow towards the drain holes.
The fin
The Kona Ocean comes with a 7 inch (175 mm) hand-ground fiberglass fin that is specifically adapted for this SUP board . The fact that it is made of fiberglass has a number of advantages such as giving it the right flex and weight in relation to the board. The fin's design is optimized to provide directional stability, maneuverability and minimal resistance in the water. The fin depth also offers a good balance between stability and maneuverability and works great for pivot turns even in shallow water. The fin also has a sufficiently long base (175 mm) in relation to the size of the board to provide the best possible directional stability and acceleration. The fin angle of 51° means that it can be easily paddled through seaweed etc.
Fenbox
The fin box on the Kona Ocean is a so-called US model with a total length of 10 inches (254 mm), which is considerably longer than the market standard . The fact that we have chosen to mount such a long box makes the SUP board even more adaptable and allows the paddler to adjust the fin position completely according to the prevailing water conditions and individual paddling technique. We have also chosen to position the fin box a little differently than other manufacturers as we saw how important this was for the board's performance and how we could increase this through a more thoughtful placement .
Surface layer
In order for the SUP board to look and feel great after many years of use, we also realized that we needed appealing and stylish graphics that were easy to recreate if it needed to be repaired. We also needed a durable and protective surface that was strong enough to withstand minor impacts. Since we were now part of the automotive industry through our manufacturer, we continued in the same vein and encapsulated the construction with four layers of automotive paint.
Car paint
Although the amount of varnish affects the weight of the SUP board somewhat, we saw that a strong surface layer has a more important function for the lifespan of the board than its weight, as the weight of the board can be seen from several aspects. A relatively light SUP board is preferable for accelerations and in tailwinds, while a heavier board maintains speed longer once it has gained speed and in crosswinds and headwinds.
Calculation
To figure out how we could increase the stability of the SUP boards, extensive calculations were required in design and construction programs for hydrostatics/hydrodynamics, and in the end we managed to find ways to lower the level of the standing surface without affecting the torsional rigidity and character of the board.
Center of gravity
Having the standing surface as close to the water surface as possible means that the common center of gravity (GTP) of the board and the paddler is lowered. This means that the board receives more support from the water and is experienced as less nervous. The board does not “roll” as easily, i.e. wobbles from side to side. You can easily test this by standing in a parallel position with your feet as close to the edges of the board as possible. If you then lift one foot up in the air, the board will not flip over. By standing closer to the water, we also get better control of the SUP board and can trim and steer it more easily by shifting our body weight.
Stability
In our quest to produce the fastest and most functional SUP training/competition boards on the market, we have had to focus on several different parameters. We realized early on that one of the keys to this was stability , meaning that Kona boards would always feel more stable, which in turn gave rise to our motto “ Stability for Performance ™”.
Types of stability
When we talk about stability, we usually talk about two types of stability. The first type is called initial stability and this refers to how stable the SUP board feels when we stand on a stationary board. Initial stability is most interesting when we are evaluating recreational boards (inflatable, all-round) where in many cases you stand still on the board or paddle at relatively low speeds. The second type of stability, which is more significant when it comes to competition and training boards, is called secondary stability . This type of stability shows how stable the board feels at hull speed and, for example, during accelerations.
Finish
Since our SUP boards are top-class training and competition equipment, we naturally also wanted to give them an exclusive impression like an expensive racing bike, since many of those who have realized the benefits of SUP as a supplementary training come from cycling. The fact that the SUP boards are also polished to a high gloss from the factory serves several purposes, one of which is that it glides faster in the water, another is that it attracts less dirt and a third is that it can always be polished to new condition even after several years of use. Another aspect considering the product price is that our SUP boards with carbon fiber laminate contain significantly more carbon fiber than a carbon fiber bicycle frame does...
Details
The Kona Ocean has two leash attachments based on what suits you and the conditions. One is located in front of the standing surface, which is most often used for training and competition, and a mount in the stern for paddling and surfing in breaking waves. There is also an attachment (FCS) in the bow for an action camera, so that you can, for example, film yourself for technical studies, etc. There are also four mounts in front of the standing surface, for example, to be able to mount an elastic packing system so that you can bring various supplies.
Comparison and hydrostatics
By using marine architectural principles, we can now easily analyze and compare the stability and glide of SUP boards. We have thereby developed unique index numbers that we can now use to ensure which board suits us best based on our body constitution, purposes and conditions. We can also apply this to all new boards that we produce. The formula for these numbers includes all aspects of stability and glide and e.g. the level of the standing surface , balance point, volume distribution, width, wetted area , waterline length, weight, etc.
Kona Ocean
In summary, we hope that through this text you have gained a little more understanding of what lies behind the development of a so-called "hard" SUP board . This way you can feel a little more confident in choosing a SUP board for training and competition , and one that also suits you and your conditions the best . If you have any further questions regarding choosing a board or how to get the best effect from SUP training , do not hesitate to contact us.
