In the last post, we explored Max Height—the distance your wakesurf board can travel above the water’s surface. Now, let’s look at the second key component of Air: Translatable Force.

What is Translatable Force?

In simpler terms, Translatable Force is the amount of force a rider inputs into the board to launch it off the wake. The greater the force, the higher the board will go. This force comes from the rider’s movement, the wave’s energy, and how efficiently the board translates this input into vertical acceleration.

The Physics of Translatable Force

At the heart of Translatable Force is Newton’s Second Law of motion:

Formula:

• F = force applied to the board
• m = mass of the rider and board combined
• a = acceleration

This equation tells us that for a fixed mass, the greater the acceleration, the greater the force you apply. When it comes to wakesurfing, this force is responsible for lifting the board off the water.

The acceleration the board experiences depends on how much force the rider inputs by compressing and extending their legs at the right moment. The steeper the wake, the more energy it can impart, further increasing the force applied.

Impulse and Momentum

Another critical factor in launching the board is impulse, which is the product of force and the time period over which the force is applied. In wakesurfing, the window to apply force to the board is short but crucial. To maximize air, you need to apply force over that brief window, and the result is an increase in momentum, which propels the board upward.

Formula:

• J = impulse (change in momentum)
• F = applied force
• t = time duration over which the force is applied

Design Factors That Influence Translatable Force

How do board design choices influence Translatable Force? A wakesurf board’s design directly affects how efficiently it translates the rider’s force into vertical motion. Here’s what we focus on at Smith Board Co.:

• Mass and Material: A lighter board will accelerate more easily, given the same force. Using materials like carbon fiber, we reduce mass without compromising durability, maximizing how much force the rider can translate into height.
• Rocker Profile: The rocker—the curvature of the board—affects how quickly the board responds to the rider’s input. A rocker that aligns with the wave shape translates force more efficiently, helping the rider achieve more air with less effort.
• Rail Design: Rails that grip the water effectively but release quickly allow for a smoother takeoff, translating more of the rider’s energy into upward movement.

Translatable Force is the engine that drives your board off the water and into the air. By understanding how physics plays into this force, we can design boards that help you maximize height with minimal effort. In the next post, we’ll dive into the interaction between rider input and board design, showing how both work together to optimize Air.