Patent landscapes › Sports & games
Is a surfboard patented?
Short answer: specific designs of a surfboard have been patented many times, but "a surfboard" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.
What our index shows
- 407 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “surfboard” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
- Among the 207 best keyword matches we examined, 53 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
- Most frequent assignees in those matches: DERRAH STEVEN JOHN (4), BOOST SURF INC (3), SUZUKI TADASHI (3), MCTAVISH ROBIN ALISTAIR (2).
- Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): B63B (187), B63H (28), Y02T (10), B29C (9).
Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.
14 real patent publications related to a surfboard
- Surfboard for Wave Pools US-2026028096-A1 2026 · CONTINENTAL LINK COMPOSITE PTE LTD
A wave pool surfboard has a complex but effective method of manufacture. An EPS blank is molded to the approximate shape, then sanded to a final shape. A variety of strengthening materials, including ABS and several types of fiber…
View on Google Patents - Low-drag fin and foil system for surfboards US-10894584-B2 2021 · MEAD KIRBY J
The present invention is a Low-Drag Fin and Foil System for Surfboards (10), particularly including cambered fin foils (40; 42). The invention (10) also discloses low-drag, directionally unstable fin positions wherein the lesser o…
View on Google Patents - Method of attaching a fin assembly to a surfboarding board US-2016264218-A1 2016 · BALESTER THOMAS JAY
A fin assembly comprises a fin base and a fin blade. Further, the fin base includes a base attachment surface. An attachment area on the bottom surface of a surfboarding board is designated and roughened. Then, an adhesive is appl…
View on Google Patents - System for Fin Placement on Surfboards US-2011053443-A1 2011 · MCTAVISH ROBIN ALISTAIR
Apparatuses and methods are provided for achieving a surfboard design that allows the user to execute turning maneuvers and maintain control while keeping the user's foot in the tail region of the surfboard stationary. In one …
View on Google Patents - Accessory device for enlarging the area of the fin of a surfboard or similar water craft US-2010068956-A1 2010 · UNIV TARTU
A device that can be attached to a fin of a suf board or similar water craft. The device contains an opening ( 13 ) for receiving the fin ( 3 ). The device is made of elastic material and the area of the device is at least 1.5 tim…
View on Google Patents - Method and apparatus for catching waves utilizing a disengageable surfboard US-7740512-B1 2010 · PATTERSON SHAUN
A disengageable surfboard that starts out as a long, paddle-sized board that a surfer uses, either in the standard prone position or standing with a paddle, to enter the surf. Once the surfer has used the board to catch a wave, he…
View on Google Patents - Surfboard fins and surfboard using same US-2010087111-A1 2010 · DE WITT SHAWD
A fin for a surfboard or other waterboard with an angled winglet on the tip of the fin. The fin may be angled from the bottom of the board. A pair of fins with mirror image shapes on a surfboard with winglets on the tips of the fi…
View on Google Patents - Detachable surfboard fin system US-7182661-B2 2007 · SAMS DAVID BRYAN
A system for attaching fins to surfboards that utilizes fixing elements embedded in the body of the board, the elements having slots that receive footings extending from the end of the fin. The footings are removably secured by a …
View on Google Patents - Constructive disposition of adjustment of the removable lateral fins in surfboard US-6991503-B2 2006 · GARCIA ANTONIO
A fin assembly for adjustably coupling a fin ( 2 ) to a board ( 16 ). The fin assembly includes a fin having a base ( 6 ), the base including a substantially semicircular portion ( 13 ) and a front tip ( 12 ). The fin assembly als…
View on Google Patents - Surfboard without fins WO-2006092020-A1 2006 · MIDDLETON PETER SCOTT
A surfboard with a narrowed waist having a wider area (when viewed in plan) in front of and behind the mid section, and narrowing to each end. The narrow waist ('hour glass shape') allows the surfboard to be turned using t…
View on Google Patents - Surfboard fin box with detachable, leashed fin US-2005064775-A1 2005
A new design for a self-releasing surfboard fin and box is presented. The fin is held in the fin box by an attachment means that permits the fin to release easily when struck. The fin is retained connected to the box and the board…
View on Google Patents - Surfboard fin assembly US-2005287888-A1 2005 · BALESTER TOM
A fin assembly ( 14 ) for a surfboard assembly ( 10 ) includes a fin base ( 220 ), a fin blade ( 222 ) and an adhesive ( 224 ). The fin base ( 220 ) has a base attachment surface ( 226 A). The fin blade ( 222 ) extends away from t…
View on Google Patents - Motorized surfboard and method of assisting surfer in paddling out to waves US-2003167991-A1 2003
A kit for converting a conventional surfboard into a motorized one, to assist a surfer in paddling away from shore, includes a small motor attachable to the surfboard and a control remote. The electric motor is built directly into…
View on Google Patents - Dolphin surfboard fin, sailboard fin US-2002094733-A1 2002
The lateral wing sits on top of the vertical section of the fin. This enables the lateral wing to work separately in function and also together with the vertical section of the fin when the Dolphin fin is being moved through the w…
View on Google Patents
What this means for your idea
Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a surfboard been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Sports equipment patents tend to cover the grip, impact absorption, training feedback, and how gear is adjusted.
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Guides that help with this
First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.