How to make a surfboard template

3mm MDF sheets are perfect for making templates.

Ethan Lewis October 22, 2021

You will need the following materials to create a surfboard template:

I sourced my MDF from a local Cabinet maker/Joiner. When wholesalers ship material, they use 3mm packing sheets to protect the timber and board used in creating cabinets and benches. Given that these orders come in regularly, the joiners have tonnes of the packing sheets left over and are likely to give them away for free.

I found the MDF to be perfect for contouring the board, easily matching the rocker for outlining.

Free template printouts can be found on https://www.blendingcurves.com/. Here you can choose from a variety of surfboard shapes and styles. After you have chosen your shape, you will be redirected to a PDF document which you can print, then cut out along the edges (Instructions can be found on the blending curves website).

Lay out the pages onto the MDF and trace the edge with a pencil.

Remove the pages and prepare to cut the MDF with a jigsaw.

Carefully cut out your shape using a jigsaw, then sand down any burrs to create a smooth edged template.

See post How to shape a surfboard for tips on tracing the template onto a blank board.

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