Task: Build a working kiteboard for less than $350 during the summer as a weekend project
Construction: Birch Veneer and Fiberglass
Relevant Skills: Strengthened my composite manufacturing knowledge 

This summer I built a kiteboard with  fiberglass and a “sandwich” wood core. A mold was made to give the necessary concave. Both the mold and board shape where cut using a CNC router. Three layers of birch glued to each other and fiberglass gave the board flexibility and strength. I designed the board with holes in certain layers to decrease weight. The board with bindings weighs 4.8kg, similar to industry standards.

The final product looks professional. I recently tested the board on the beaches of Seattle and it behaved just like a professionally built board. ​

Kiteboarding in a gulf of Mexico cold front