Hi all,

I've noticed recently that I've got a couple of indentations from where I stand on my deck pad. I'm on an ECS Evo. They're not necessarily causing me any issue, but I'm concerned that it might lead to something 'worse'? Is it normal? Is it usually just indents in the deck pad? Can it lead to indents in the actual bamboo laminate/veneer that my board is made of? And finally can I do anything about them?

I've had several different brands of boards and they all do to some point. They deck seems to compress so far and then stop. I'd only be concerned if it kept going.

Kneeling on your board causes the most damage, especially on non-carbon boards

It is normal. Your deck skin is only a thin layer on a light foam blank. Only boards with a strong skin (aka a thick sandwich) will have nearly no depressions.
The good point is that the depressions will hold your feet better when the board rolls.

The bad point is that it creates a risk of cracks if something does not move with the deck and creates a stress point:
- if the board has a stringer, you may develop cracks along the stringer, and the bamboo will suck the water and blacken
- the main danger is the handle, cracks may develop along the handle edge, and a water leak along the handle is catastrophic, as it can gobble up liters of waters before it is too late to get the water out.

So, if the depression seems to reach near the handle, I would reinforce the handle or have it reinforced, or at least cut the pad a little bit to be able to examine the handle edge after each session.

Thanks for the info guys. It doesn't extend near the handle at the moment, as I said I've only just noticed it. I will keep an eye on it!

Try a lightly glassed surfboard and see the dents in those

Some manufacturers boards are less prone to compressions and some just are not too great....but most will indent a wee bit over time. So much depends on the blank and glossing and any reinforcements.

Had a Gong which compressed way too much for my liking....especially when you compare it to a Jimmy Lewis...not a compression so far at all. My JP Aus has light compressions but I have had it for two years. Fanatic compressed a little too....all were fine though.

Yeah The many Naish boards I have had over the years had slight indents around the paddle area after 6 months use. Never an issue and too be honest like Slab says check out virtually any surfboard.

phil

Select to expand quote

Slab said..
Had a Gong which compressed way too much for my liking....especially when you compare it to a Jimmy Lewis...not a compression so far at all. My JP Aus has light compressions but I have had it for two years. Fanatic compressed a little too....all were fine though.

Be careful: the amount of compression does not depend on the brand, but the construction (blank density + deck sandwich thickness). Do not expect to buy a brand X board and have no depression because somebody did not have them with a board of this same brand, if he has a PVC sandwich model and you are buying a bamboo "sandwich" one. Plus brands often change the construction of the some models along the years.

I never get any deck depressions or sinking on any of my JL boards because of his full sandwich construction....