In Northern Europe surfing’s popularity rapidly rises. The relatively novelty and increasing popularity of this sport has created an immense need for equipment adapted to the freezing cold temperatures. Surfers currently use different homemade solutions (some adapt equipment form other outdoor sports or just use an IKEA bag) to be able to change out in the forest or beach on the frozen snow struggling to even take off their gear (gloves, hoodie and wetsuit). The objective of this project was to develop a conceptual portable piece of equipment that would allow for a more comfortable and enjoyable changing process after cold-water surfing.
MF 132X, Grupp 12: Deva Perez Orviz
Changing Equipment For Cold-Water Surfing
Analysis
Before the idea-generation phase a research study about the user, currently used products and a market study was performed. The market study showed that there’s some surfing equipment available but none of it is adapted to cold-water surfing. The users have taken some equipment from other sports such as yoga or camping to solve their problems.
The target group is quite broad as it involves men and women from ages 18 to 70.
Cold water surfers are divided into two groups, one group has learned to love the cold and the other who only tolerates the cold because they want to surf all around the year.
One of the problems found during the field study was for example the lack of space in the back of the trunk which forces the user to store their gear and dry clothes in the same place. Another problem was the easiness with which clothes can be made dirty when the user is putting them on after had removed their wetsuit.
Changing Equipment For Cold-Water Surfing
Concept
After the idea generation phase, three concepts were developed from all the ideas. Of these three concepts one was chosen to be developed in detail with the help of a decision matrix. The chosen concept was The bucket.
The idea behind the concept was to develop a product that would improve the user’s mobility by isolating them from the cold ground and allowing them to transport their gear with one and same product.
A mood board was designed to better understand the feeling that The bucket was meant to transmit as well as a material mood board with the colors and textures that would help transmit this feelings. The colors chosen were monochromatic in a black scale.
The bucket is an adapted and developed version of the current “surfer’s bucket”. It comes with an isolating mat that can be placed on the ground to isolate the user’s feet from the freezing ground or snow. The bucket can be easily carried from the home to the car while carrying the surfboard on the other shoulder.
Changing Equipment For Cold-Water Surfing
Final product
The final product is a silicone sturdy silicone bucket with an isolating silicone mat. The user can stand on the silicone mat while changing into the wetsuit and white taking the wetsuit off and putting on clothes after the surf session. The bucket has different straps so that it is easier to carry in different situations. The straps are made of a water-resistant fabric and can be removed and washed.
After it’s use, the bucket can be easily cleaned at the beach using a bit of water and drying it with a towel before putting it inside the car. The bucket can stay at all times inside of the car since the mat is the only part in contact with the ground. When the surfer is at home, the bucket can be easily cleaned in the shower and the mat positioned in an inclined position to dry.
