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The Duraflex Diving Board
From its beginning the Duraflex has been offered in three
different models:
The first model of the "Duraflex" diving board is a ribbed
section of aluminum alloy found in airplane wings. This board,
as do the other models, has a torsion-box extrusion, an anchor
angle, tip end cap, and is tapered from the fulcrum area to
the diving tip. The board was found to be springier than any
other board previously made while giving divers more control
when taking off from the tip. The Duraflex board was an
immediate success and became the premier board used in all
diving competitions.
The "Maxiflex" diving board was produced a short time later,
which was similar to the first Duraflex but was gradually
tapered at both ends from the fulcrum area. The double taper
allows the whole board to arc while flexing giving it more
spring than the regular Duraflex board. The added spring made
it possible for divers to perform difficult dives that were
not possible from previous boards. Obviously, this immediately
replaced the Duraflex board in all competitive circles for it
gave better performance.
A few years later Mister Rude developed the premier board, the
Model "B" maxiflex diving board which is and will probably
continue to be the best diving board that can be made for
competitive and recreational diving. The Model "B" board is
tapered at both ends with 189 perforated holes near the diving
end which reduces its weight. This makes the board so springy
that some divers can put the tip of the board into the water
when taking off from the one-meter level when performing a
forward approach. A board with any more spring would not be
feasible because the board would dip under the surface of the
water, which would greatly hinder, any kind of performance by
the diver. Some people believe that the purpose of the
perforations at the end of the board is to allow the air to
filter through the board when engaged which would give less
air resistance. This is not so for such resistance is hardly
measurable. Though other countries have attempted to copy this
new version of the diving board, only China, has been able to
come close but the cost of their boards is enormous so it is
not marketable. Therefore, it is safe to state that the Model
"B" board now stands alone as the best diving board made.
Duraflex and Maxiflex diving boards are available for some
diving areas that cannot install the Model "B" board which
requires depth and pool side dimensions that conform to U.S./F.I.N.A.
safety codes. Caution should be taken before installing any
diving boards in areas where the safety of the diver is
questionable.
Duraflex boards are made to standard length of 16 feet and
approximately 20 inches in width, which are bolted to the
diving board stand with two carriage bolts 5/8" in diameter.
Duraflex also offers a 14-foot regular Duraflex board that can
be used in certain restricted areas with less spring than the
standard boards. All of the models of the Duraflex boards are
coated with an aqua colored thermal curing epoxy resin
finished with a laminate of flint silica and alumina all of
which are used to create a comfortable non-skid surface. The
under surface of the boards are protected from direct contact
with the metal fulcrum by rubber channels which are attached
to the board with epoxy adhesive.Return
to Duraflex Information
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