Problem

Our team was tasked with improving the design of a surf fin to generate more lift in the nose of a rising board. We focused on using a leveraging effect on the fins to push the nose of the board further into the air when the velocity of the wave was slower. While this strategy worked, it created instability as it caused the board to float out of water, lifting the rails too high. Additionally, there was too much leverage between the fins and water, which eventually caused them to break.

We realized that we needed to find a way to maximize the Bernoulli lift principle on the fins in order to generate proper lift and optimize their shape and size while adapting their use to specific circumstances.

Learn more about our project here.

Solution

To address these issues, we conducted extensive research on Bernoulli's principle and how it could be applied to surf fin design. We also consulted with experts in fluid dynamics and surfing to gain insights into how we could optimize our approach.

Using this information, we developed a new surf fin design that incorporated a modified foil shape that generated more lift while reducing drag. We also adjusted the size and placement of each fin in relation to one another for optimal performance based on wave conditions.

Impact

Increased stability and glide for surfers using our new surf fin design
Reduced risk of breakage due to improved material selection and optimized design
Improved performance in various wave conditions, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty

"Our new surf fin design has revolutionized the surfing industry and has had an incredible impact on the sport."

Team

Team Member #1 - Surfing Expert
- Provided valuable insights into how surfers interact with waves and how our new design could improve their experience.
- Collaborated with the team to refine the design based on feedback from other surfers.
Team Member #2 - Fluid Dynamics Engineer
- Leveraged expertise in fluid dynamics to optimize the shape and size of each fin for maximum lift and reduced drag.
- Developed simulations to test the performance of different designs under various wave conditions.

Improved Surf Fin Design Boosts Stability