New products: Lib Tech Unleashes EnvironMENTAL and Dang Difficult to Ding Surfboard Series

SEATTLE—Lib Tech launches its Waterboard line, a culmination of three decades spent surfing and experimenting with eco-radical watercraft by Lib Tech founder, chief surfboard designer and composites guru, Mike Olson. Waterboards distribution from Lib Tech’s laboratory will begin in select shops on the west coast, and will also be available online at libtechwaterboarding.com.
Generated through Isotropic conFusion, the Waterboard is a homogenous gathering of 31 classified eco materials and components. Riding liking a traditional polyester board, “Every material used is completely new to surfboards,” according to Olson. “Every technique is completely unique—to any industry. It’s not only a new way of making surfboards, it’s a whole new way to make anything.” These new environMENTALLY nicer technologies reportedly need no sandpaper, paint brushes, tape or solvents except water. The non-classified components include:

• 2D2D Volcanic Organic Basalt Honeycomb Technology: Volcanic Organic Basalt Honeycomb Technology is a strong, impact-resistant layering of fibers that withstands heel kicks, has no additives and is lively underfoot, the company reports.
• The Powerpop Airspring Foam Core: A lightweight foam composed of an exclusive closed cell alloy formula that will not absorb water, has elastic qualities like a trampoline, contains up to 50 percent recycled content, and uses ozone friendly blowing agents. Additionally, 100 percent of the off-cut foam produced while shaping is then recycled into new blanks.
• LVR43 High Rebound Matrix: Instead of polyester resin or old-fashioned epoxy, Olson created LVR43 High Rebound Matrix, a chemistry that reportedly has higher elongation, extreme ding resistance, and responsive rebound.
• Elastomatrix Perimeter 2D2D Dampening Web: Rails are wrapped in rubberized metallic fibers to give the boards a smooth ride.
• Lib Tech Leash Plug: It’s still just a leash plug, but it’s different. Lib Tech’s newly designed leash plug featuring an anodized 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum pin that won’t rust and a super lightweight fiber-composite cup.
• MO BOX Fin System: To increase the adjustability of fin placement, all Waterboards feature Lib Tech’s new MO BOX fin system and come with four of Lib Tech’s new Maximum Intensity Leading Foil (M.I.L.F) fins, including a smaller trailer fin.

Mike Olson and co-conspirator craftsman, Jeff Henderson, broke down every element of surfboard design in Lib Tech’s windowless Waterboard lab. Ergonomic elements, including grab rails (small channels on the rails) for maximum hold for duck diving, as well as aerials, and a concave deck for rib comfort are standard in every Waterboard shape series: Ramp, Bowl and Vert. Waterboards are available with the sublimated works of Lib Tech artists Jamie Lynn, Quincy Quigg and Ryan Davis or without graphics.