Technology
Surfboard Technology
Lib Tech loves all things surf (almost).
Lib Tech is dedicated to board riding and hands-on high tech board building. We have spent a lifetime surfing, shaping and working with alternative, high performance, environmentally friendly materials and constructions. Traditional surfboard construction has always felt too fragile, disposable and the build process is toxic / unhealthy for the planet and craftspeople. We knew there had to be a better way...
It wasn’t easy but it was worth it.
20 years ago, Mike Olson set off on our mission to build a better surfboard. In the process he completely rewrote the book on surfboard construction. Every component we use in our ecoIMPACTO surf construction is completely new to the surf industry. Our Thermo Fusion Process incorporates plant based bio resin, environmentally friendly recyclable blanks, radically minimizes sanding steps and resin exposure while creating amazingly durable, environmentally friendly, high performance surf structures that will free your mind and lift your surfing to new heights.
The ecoIMPACTO innovation evolution continues!
This year our experimental journey into new realms of surfboard performance takes two more steps forward with the lighter and brighter re-invention of our original EcoImpacto construction and the introduction of our very exciting performance elevating Techno-POP carbon construction on Mason Ho’s Little Wing model... even lighter, stronger and more responsive!
THE ALL NEW
Our magical high performance rides... surf better and worry less.
THE EVOLUTION OF ecoIMPACTO
Mike Olson and our hands on craftsperson crew are constantly experimenting and working to improve our process and materials. The latest incarnation of our original ecoIMPACTO construction incorporates a new improved formula of our foam and refinements to our process that reduce weight and improve performance while retaining that “Dang Difficult to Ding” durability that relaxes your lifestyle, makes Lib Techs the best travel boards in the world and hold their value over time.
DANG DIFFICULT TO DING
Technologically Tougher
- A lot tougher than your standard PU or epoxy
- Won’t absorb water if you do get a ding
- The ultimate travel board
- Less worry... more fun
environMENTALLY NICER!
Zero Hazardous Waste
- Bio Resin low VOC plant based
- Nitrogen blown blanks non ozone depleting and recyclable
- Radically reduced resin exposure
- Radically reduced sanding steps
- Elimination of industry standard paint brushes, tape and solvents
- Recycled foam offcuts
- Long lasting construction
NITROGEN CELL ECO UPCYCLED FOAM
Strong, Light, Waterproof
- Environmentally friendly non ozone depleting Nitrogen blowing agent
- 25-40% Recycled content
- Won’t absorb water if you do get a ding (Closed cell)
- Elliptical engineered columnar cells provide toughness top to bottom and elasticity in side impact
- 100% of offcuts and shavings recycled into more foam
BIO-MATRIX PLANT BASED RESIN
Strong, Nice and Craftsperson Friendly
- Plant based glycerin chemistry
- Low VOC (shop smells nice)
- Surfs smooth and responsive (High performance)
- Impact resistant and resilient (Lasts a long time)
MAGNESIUM FIBER
Tough & Resiliant
- High impact and break strength fiber
- Great rebound and memory
G-GLASS FIBER
Lightweight Strengthener
- Made to Mike Olson specs, ideal to our process
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Craftsperson friendly
HEXYLON THERMO-FUSION HONEYCOMB POWER PANEL
Strong & Smooth
- Smooth riding vibration absorption layer
- Impact and ding resistant
CARBON POWER SPINE
Dynamic Energy & Long Lasting Flex
- Tension spread tow carbon fiber
- Rebound energy return
- Perfect flex tuning
LIB-TECH LEASH PLUG
Better Basics!
- 6061 T6 Aircraft aluminum pins
- Lightweight fiber composite cup
TECHNO POP
The constant quest for high performance has led us to Techno Pop; the lightest and most responsive update to our ecoIMPACTO construction. The process is top secret but includes a new ultralight “Techno Treated” performance enhancing upgrade the Thermo Fusion Honeycomb power panel and precision flex tuning with 8 bands of spread tow carbon on top and bottom.
Check out all our models with Techno Pop Construction:
NEW ULTRALIGHT “TECHNO TREATED” THERMO FUSION HONEYCOMB POWER PANEL
Light, Strong, Smooth
- Ultralight
- Smooth riding vibration absorption layer
- Impact and ding resistant
8 BANDS OF EXTERNAL TENSIONED CARBON TOP AND BOTTOM
Strength, Precision and Response
- High performance flex tuning
- Strong
- Light
- Long lasting energy return
NITROGEN CELL ECO UPCYCLED FOAM
Strong, Light, Waterproof
- Environmentally friendly non ozone depleting Nitrogen blowing agent
- 25-40% Recycled content
- Won’t absorb water if you do get a ding (Closed cell)
- Elliptical engineered columnar cells provide toughness top to bottom and elasticity in side impact
- 100% of offcuts and shavings recycled into more foam
BIO-MATRIX PLANT BASED RESIN
Strong, Nice and Craftsperson Friendly
- Plant based glycerin chemistry
- Low VOC (shop smells nice)
- Surfs smooth and responsive (High performance)
- Impact resistant and resilient (Lasts a long time)
MAGNESIUM FIBER
Tough & Resiliant
- High impact and break strength fiber
- Great rebound and memory
G-GLASS FIBER
Lightweight Strengthener
- Made to Mike Olson specs, ideal to our process
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Craftsperson friendly
LIB-TECH LEASH PLUG
Better Basics!
- 6061 T6 Aircraft aluminum pins
- Lightweight fiber composite cup
LIB TECH FIN BOX SOLUTIONS
Why we use our own fin boxes?!
We faced many obstacles while developing our industry changing ecoIMPACTO construction. Our environmentally nicer dang difficult to ding process is so unique that none of the stock fin boxes from other systems can be used without significant modification. We’re always looking at challenges as opportunity, in that light we put energy into developing our own unique FCS and Futures compatible fin box systems. We think our systems offer upgrades to each system that make them the best boxes in the world!
LIB TECH FOC-II (FCS® compatible)
Our FOC-II fin boxes are compatible with FCS two tab and FCS-II but lighter and offer 5/16” of adjustability in the fin box when using our RRIPs upcycled fins! Available on all models except Pickup Stick 8’ and Terrapin.
LIB TECH FUTURES® COMPATIBLE
Three years ago we developed a unique “high performance” Futures® Compatible system that features set “grub” screws at both ends of the fin box. The rear screw replaces the traditional bar that anchors the trailing end of the fin. You can set the rear screw once and never adjust it and use the front screw to lock the fin in like you do with traditional Futures®. Or you can actually tighten both screws once the fin is in place and lock in both ends for an extra rigid high performance feel. (You will need to slightly loosen the trailing screw and use the front screw as you normally would to get the fin out of the box if you choose to double lock it in). Available on Quiver Killer, Swordfish, Puddle Jumper HP, Rocket Redux.
FUTURES® SINGLE 9” FIN BOX
We are able to use stock Futures® single fin box with some slight modifications... these work exactly like a traditional Futures® single fin box. Used on Pickup Stick 8’ and Terrapin.
LIB TECH FOC-II® FIN BOX
Fits FOC-II®, FCS® Two Tab and Lib RRIPs® fins
- Optimized placement for FCS-II®
- RIPPs compatible with 5/16 performance adjustability
- Light and tough
FUTURES® COMPATIBLE FIN BOX
Fits Futures® High Performance Fins
- Double set screw replaces fixed pin
- Operates like a traditional Futures® Box
- Can “performance lock” fins in with both screws
FUTURES® SINGLE 9” FIN BOX
9’ Standard size single fin box
- Fits traditional single fins
FOAM DUST AND OFF CUT RECYCLING
Our amazing Nitrogen Cell foam contains 25-40% recycled material and we are able to recycle 100% of our offcuts and shavings back into foam. (Traditional surfboard scrap foam ends up in the landfill.)
Unused blank tusks and shavings are run through our in-house thermo densification process and turned into high density bricks which are up-cycled back into foam!
1) Tusks and shavings are run through the chopper.
2) Ground up foam is melted and re-extruded into dense bricks.
3 )Bricks are palletized and sent off to make more foam!