BOARDINGWhat problems are faced?

A visual report on the problems faced by surfers and stand up paddle boarders Product design research module with Dr Eddy Elton Conducted by Alannah Barnacle / product design with a professional experience

2

3

Surfing and Paddle boarding are two rising water sports, yet it is not an easy sport to participate in. From storing your equipment to getting the boards to the water, there are a menagerie of difficulties to over come, most surfers will find their own way around these problems that are faced. In this visual report, the aim is to research into paddle boarding and surfing before the “activity” takes place in order to make the storage/transport/ loading of the board easier for the everyday surfer.

I conducted four observations. I observed four different surfers loading boards, of different lengths and sizes, from their homes to their method of transport.

Overt- I wanted the people to know I was observing them so that they could voice the struggles as they were doing the activity so I was able to get more of an insight to their struggles.

Staged- I staged the activity and role played the scenario. This was because I wanted to get an exact scene from different sources so I could easily compare my own findings. Also I could make people aware what exactly I was investigating and therefore get more exact discoveries.

Recording- I used a semi structured recording method. I knew the areas that I wanted to look at. Activity, environment, objects, interactions and user where the titles of my five areas. I was quite open with what I wrote down and tried to capture as much as possible.

I conducted 6 interviews. 2 with surfers in my class and 4 with avid surfers in my age range. I did this to get a better understanding of their struggles and needs with board storage and transport.

Structured- This worked well as I had set questions and then was able to compare the answers from my interviewees and gain more of an insight to the users needs.

Questions - I used a mixture of open and closed questions. I did this so I could get a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data. This would make the information I gathered to be of more use as I was able to compare and contrast it easier.

4

The UK Surf industry is worth £1-£1.8 billion per annum.This figure more than doubles once you account for tourism and foreign surfersSurfers spend an annualised average of £495.21 on surfboards(Surfers against sewage, 2013)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC

Throughout the year, in the UK, surfing activity doesn’t cease, which means a constant revenue all year. The main months for participation are august through to October. These are the warmer months of the year, but also the less tourist populated, as these months do not lie in the summer or winter holidays. (Figures from surfers against sewage 2013)

Water sports exports have increased from 5.4 million a year to 9.3 million a year. this is a significant increase. (Keynote sports equipment 2013)

With surfing comes the surfing lifestyle, there are many brands of clothing that are in high demand, that promote the surfers way of life. These contribute a high income to the UK as the biggest of these brands are UK based.

5

Storage: when it comes to storing your board in your home, there are only two viable options available.

Basic wall storage

Wall storage, in the form of hooks, comes in many shapes an styles to suit a consumers styles.This is good for decorative wall storage, for custom boards and decorative boards. For “everyday” use they are awkward and difficult and take up more space than needed.

Floor storage, in the form of racks, comes in many shapes and aesthetics. This is good for holding many boards at once, but this object is rather large and can easily become unbalanced.

Basic floor storage

Carrying: for carrying ones board from home to car and then car to beach there’s not a lot of options for the consumer, there are either costly bags, which are custom for each board, or over shoulder slings that can fit a number of boards, but offer no protection. They can be hard to use as shoulder straps when wet, holding a great deal of weight, can be very uncomfortable and sometimes can slip off the shoulder.

6

(see appendix A1-A2)

1 out of 4 surfers kept their board at their uni home3 quarters of consumers do not use a product to store their boards

Us

ers can load boards easily in mild weather

and don’t require assistance

Persons observed struggle

to hold onto boards while

carrying around

All users found transferring

their boards stressful and diffi cult

7

(See appendix B1)

From the observations conducted, there was much information collected. For this information to be useful, it needs to be expanded into an insight. This enables us to understand the users behaviour, from user research.

Most users kept their boards at parents/owned homes

Users were stressed when transferring their boards

Users struggled to hold onto their own boards

Mild weather didn’t affect loading or carrying of boards

Most boards were stored in makeshift ways

Users like a permanent place to keep their boards

Users may travel with boards less because of this experience

Users wont enjoy the sport as much, if before hand they can’t easily travel with equipment

Board carrying is difficult, it gets even more difficult in wind or rain as the boards are big, can act like sails, and get slippery when wet.

Users boards can get damaged more easily if they aren’t stored correctly

8

(See appendix C1-C6)

frequency

of surf activities

ALL interviewees went on a 1 or 2 week holiday a year to a surfing destination

THREE Interviewees go surfing most weekends but live in surfing destination in the UK

ALL interviewees went to Cornwall and Devon on holidays

HALF interviewees went abroad to surf

4 surfed in locals close to home

Storage at home/away 4 users simply stacked board against wall/each other

1 user had a sophisticated pulley system,

1 User used roof rafters

4 use roof racks when away- 3 out of 4 use locking straps to secure boards1 used lockable straps, but locks to wheels of car at night

2 have cars/vans large enough to put them in

2 often camp when on surf holiday, have no where to put boards at night

Carrying boardsUsers struggle with space, in terms of getting round obstacles and general storage

Most users can load boards by them selves, but not easily and appreciate help

Users hate wind and struggle to keep a hold of the board in harsh weather

Most users don’t particularly find the straps on bags useful as they either get in the way, bags are left behind or are in the wrong position to be useful.

Locations for surfi ng

9

8/10 users observed/interviewed had issues while carrying boards. users observed even dropped boards on occasion.

2 users found their height a problem when loading boards

10/10 users had to move boards in tight/cluttered environments

5/10 people stored their boards against walls in various rooms

10/10 users had bags for their boards.

10/10 users stress levels increased during this process

10

“I love surfing AND the fact I live close to the beach. But, even though I live beach local, I struggle with carrying my boards this short walk”

MotivationsWants to lead an active lifeWants to live life to the fullWants meet other enthusiastic surfers

Goals!CATCH THAT PERFECT WAVE!Find the best board for meReduce board costs due to damage

Pain PointsDropping/damaging board causes great expense, deters from taking board out, feels inactive, no where to leave bags on beach, sometimes go missing

Abbies parents live in an area close to beach, this is the residence were her boards are stored. Their house is about a mile from the water front. This is quite far to walk while carrying a board, so she has to drive to the beach. At home she stores her boards in the garage, propped up against the wall, this is unsteady and often her boards get knocked about and fall over. When she loads her boards she uses locking straps and she feels these are more secure, both for when the boards are unattended and when driving. She goes on a holiday away from home, with friends and family once or twice a year to various surfing locals, but mostly goes out weekends. Every board of hers has a bag, but usually once she gets to the beach, the bag gets left in the car so provides no help getting the board to the water.

11

12

Must be able to fit a variety of sized boards: Most users had more than one board, view appendix B1,D4-6. Each user had their own sized board for their weight/height

Must ensure users can carry their boards with less risk of dropping dropping a board can lead to expensive repair on an expensive piece of kit, surfers spend a lot of money per year on their hobby, P4

Must allow users to store boards with reduction to falling or slipping risk This reduces possibility of damage and would reduce the stress on the user creating a more enjoyable experience P6-8, B1-D6

Must not add more than 2kg of weight to existing board Boards are difficult to move, adding too much weight would make the process of storing and carrying harder. P6-9,B1-D6

Must not add more than 50cm to either side of existing board Manoeuvring in tight spaces would be more difficult with a hugely large board. The size must not be changed dramatically P6-8,B1-D6

Must not add to length of board Longer the board, more likely it will cause an accident or get damaged while in transport or being stored, D3

Must avoid using existing strap designs Users did not use/like to use the straps they had on their bags. They did not aid the carrying of their boards and sometimes caused the dropping of boards, P8

Must be able to be taken on holiday for use away from the home Users often went on holidays to surf to other parts of the UK or even abroad, so they must have something they can use when away,P8 D1-D6

Do you surf or sup? Surf

How regularly do you surf? 3 times a year

Do you own any boards? If so how many? Just 1

How do you store your boards when they aren't in use? In a soft case in garage in the rafters

Do you have bags or covers for your boards? Soft cases

Where do you surf? Cornwall mostly

How do you travel with your boards? On a roof rack

Tall car? Short car? Short car

What difficulties do you have with storing your boards? Getting it down from roof, often whack it against walls.

What difficulties do you have lifting your boards? Arm is too short to fit round board comfortably

Do your board bags have handles? Are they useful for lifting your boards? Yes, have handles, but no not useful as they are in the handbag position.

Does weather affect loading/unloading/carrying, and how? Wind effects carrying equipment and loading.

Can you load your boards by yourself? If not who usually helps you? Yea I can load them myself but I really like having help

If away with boards how do you store them securely at night/unattended? (Camping) I lock them to the wheels of my car out of the way

Do you remove your fins before transporting your boards? Not usually

Other points? Sand gets everywhere, in the board, on hands and feet, shoes, really bugs me trying to clean at the beach. Have to leave bags and covers in eyesight on the beach, cant relax just in-case the tide comes in or someone messes with them, carrying the board is just really difficult and awkward, sandy wax gets in the way.

Do you surf or sup? Surf

How regularly do you surf? Twice a year maybe

Do you own any boards? If so how many? 1

How do you store your boards when they aren’t in use? Living room against wall

Do you have bags or covers for your boards? Have a bag

Where do you surf? Cornwall

How do you travel with your boards? Roof rack

Tall car? Short car? Short

What difficulties do you have with storing your boards? They are big and finding the space is difficult

What difficulties do you have lifting your boards? Long, awkward, hard in tight spaces

Do your board bags have handles? Are they useful for lifting your boards? Yes, and mostly

Does weather affect loading/unloading/carrying, and how? Shoulder strap is painful when wet because of material

Can you load your boards by yourself? If not who usually helps you? Can do it by myself but help makes it so much easier

If away with boards how do you store them securely at night/unattended? Left on roof or stored behind tents or cars

Do you remove your fins before transporting your boards? No

Other points? Straps get in the way, sand in Velcro is annoying, leave bag with someone on beach hopefully, sandy wax, sandy bags when beach doesn’t have facilities.

Do you surf or sup? Surf

How regularly do you surf? 2 one week holidays each year and occasional weekends

Do you own any boards? If so how many? 1

How do you store your boards when they aren’t in use? In the garage

Do you have bags or covers for your boards? Yes

Where do you surf? Westwood Ho in north Devon but also some beaches in Cornwall and Wales

How do you travel with your boards? Board goes on roof rack on top of car

Tall car? Short car? Tall car – it’s a 4x4

What difficulties do you have with storing your boards The board is 9ft 3in long so takes up a lot space in the garage

What difficulties do you have lifting your boards? My board is reasonable light so manageable most of the time

Do your board bags have handles? Are they useful for lifting your boards? Yes and yes Does weather affect loading/unloading/carrying, and how? Wind is a big problem. The board is difficult to carry in the wind and once placed on the roof rack needs holding in place while the straps are put on so needs 2 people or a lot of mucking aboutCan you load your boards by yourself? Normally yes except when windy If not who usually helps you? Wife, daughter, or anyone I can find

If away with boards how do you store them securely at night/unattended? They stay on the roof rack and I use locking straps to secure them

Do you remove your fins before transporting your boards – Not usually but depends whether I am carrying other boards on top of mine.

Do you have any other issues or problems with your boards before you reach the water – Getting the board off the rack and carrying the board across the pebble ridge in Ho is tricky when it’s windy. Once heading for the water I have to carry the board without the bag so no handles.

Do you surf or sup? Mostly surf

How regularly do you surf? As often as possible

Do you own any boards? Yes

If so how many? 10 Surfboards

How do you store your boards when they aren’t in use? Rack in garage

Do you have bags or covers for your boards? Yes

Where do you surf? England and abroad

How do you travel with your boards? In car or van roof

Tall car? Short car? Large car or van

What difficulties do you have with storing your boards. Just the volume of boards and lack of space

What difficulties do you have lifting your boards? Don’t really have any problems

Do your board bags have handles? Are they useful for lifting your boards? Yes I find them really helpful

Does weather affect loading/unloading/carrying, and how? No I’m pretty good at keeping control of boards in harsh weather.

Can you load your boards by yourself? Yes!

If away with boards how do you store them securely at night/unattended? In doors or locked on roof-rack

Do you remove your fins before transporting your boards? Only for airports 

Do you surf or sup? Both

How regularly do you surf? 4 times a year

Do you own any boards? Yes

If so how many? 4

How do you store your boards when they aren’t in use? Hang them from ceiling using pulley system

Do you have bags or covers for your boards? Yes

Where do you surf? Shoreham, North Devon, North Cornwall, Morocco, Portugal

How do you travel with your boards? Car

Tall car? Short car? Long car

What difficulties do you have with storing your boards? No outdoor space or garage.

What difficulties do you have lifting your boards? Getting them up and down stairs

Do your board bags have handles? Are they useful for lifting your boards? Yes and mostly

Does weather affect loading/unloading/carrying, and how? Yes – strong winds can be problematic

Can you load your boards by yourself? Yes

If away with boards how do you store them securely at night/unattended? Put them in the car

Do you remove your fins before transporting your boards - No

Do you surf or sup? Both

How regularly do you surf? 3 times a month

Do you own any boards? Yes

If so how many? 3

How do you store your boards when they aren’t in use? In the garage leaning against each other

Do you have bags or covers for your boards? Yes

Where do you surf? Sussex, Devon, Cornwall, Wales, Hampshire, Portugal

How do you travel with your boards? By car/van

Tall car? Short car? Tall car and van

What difficulties do you have with storing your boards – have to move all the boards to get the one at the back and they often fall over, getting damaged.

What difficulties do you have lifting your boards? In general I don’t except getting them on top of tall cars

Do your board bags have handles? Are they useful for lifting your boards? Yes and sometimes

Does weather affect loading/unloading/carrying, and how? Yes – in windy conditions – it is difficult to get multiple boards on a vehicle as they act like big sails

Can you load your boards by yourself? One onto a small car but not multiple onto a high car or van

If not who usually helps you? Family, friends or random surfers on the beach

If away with boards how do you store them securely at night/unattended? On the car with lockable straps, in the van if not sleeping in it. If sleeping van then underneath the van and hope no one steals them

Do you remove your fins before transporting your boards? If transporting only one no if transporting multiple yes

Do you have any other issues or problems with your boards before you reach the water? Carrying in wind from the carp-ark to the beach as often over rocks or sand dunes – There are various carrying straps on the market but they don’t help in the wind.