Technology

BIC Sport is the only European windsurf manufacturer, and the only one to master composite thermoforming with aluminium moulds. This highly technical procedure allows us to make boards with only one closure of the mould, thus greatly limiting any extra material used in the manufacturing process. The end result is a board that is both 20% lighter than other thermoformed boards, and strongly competitive with epoxy sandwich boards.

BIC Sport’s board production takes place in aluminium moulds where the asa skin, carbon reinforcements, glass fibers, resin, and polystyrene core (chosen for its lightweight) are pressed together in one shot under high pressure and heat.

Concerning durability, our CTS boards are at least 30% more impact resistant compared to equivalent epoxy sandwich boards. On the water this translates into a durable board with competitive stiffness. This is not to forget that each and every board made at BIC Sport is an exact copy of that magic shape finally approved by the shaper and testers.

To use an example, the Techno 293 One Design is one of the strongest race classes in windsurfing today. The exceptional durability and lightweight of the board were key factors in this class achieving ISAF International Status for junior racers U17 years. The quality of the technology is proven by the board’s ability to withstand an intensive level of use by competitive racers over a long period of time.

Stiff, light and durable

Different versions of this thermoforming technology have been developed in order to optimisethe construction of each board for its intended use.

• CTS : Targets of stiffness, lightweight and durability, mean that carbon reinfoprcements are used along the rails and underneath the feet (Techno&One Design).

• TS : Durability is the main goal, and additional glass reinforcement is used in critical areas (Core).

• TS/EVA : Same technique as the TS boards, except that an EVA deck is integrated into the thermoforming process in order to increase comfort (Nova 120/165).