Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for damping deflections and vibrations in a ski, and further for adjustably biasing a ski to enhance its performance. An elongated damping member is attached by one end to the upper surface of the ski, and bears at its other end on the upper surface of the ski to resist deflection of the end portion of the ski. The damping member may also be urged against the ski for biasing the end of the ski downward relative to the center of the ski. A resilient bearing pad may be disposed between the ski and the bearing end of the damping member. The damping member may be mounted at a lateral angle to differentially damp one side edge of the ski. The damping member is adjustable in its mounting to provide adjustable damping and biasing force. A second damping member may be mounted to the ski to damp and bias the opposite end of the ski in a like manner. A central damping member may be mounted to the center portion of the ski.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for creating the ramp or "jump" in the water, much like a ski jump, but being constructed such that a rather thick layer beneath the top surface is non-integral to permit the fin of the windsurfer to pass therethrough. The maintenance of this non-integral layer may be created in several ways, the simplest being the utilization of a water jet or jets somewhat beneath the water level which create a continuous mound or ramp of water. Other approaches utilize a thick layer of bristles saturated with water, and a layer of gel.

Abstract: The rear end of a slab-type hull of the sort utilized for windsurfing, and also as disclosed herein adapted to be used in the place of a slalom ski, is horizontally bifurcated to define a rigid upper deck portion and a flexible deflection panel extending beneath, and spaced from, the upper rear deck portion. The deflection panel can flex upwardly independently of the upper, rigid rear deck. Although the flexure of the deflection panel beneath the upper rear deck is functional without any further controls or modifications other than the independent flexure of the deflection panel itself relative to the overlying upper rear deck, its characteristics are enhanced by incorporating certain control features in the nature of a detent element which fixes the curvature of the deflection panel, and/or one or more stops, preferably spring-loaded, which determine the uppermost deflection of a certain portion or portions of the deflection panel.

Abstract: A surfboard having a resilient bottom panel which extends rearwardly beyond the rigid deck, this being accomplished preferably by splitting the rear portion of the board along the siderails to define a rigid rear deck spaced above a reinforced resilient panel defining the rearward continuation of the board bottom, there being a watertight flexible tailpiece fitted around the deck and over the bottom panel to form a smoothly contoured termination of the board at the rear and retain the hydrodynamic advantages of a conventional surfboard. The advantage of the invention lies in the ability of the trailing portion of the board bottom to flex in response to varying water pressure beneath as the board is being maneuvered, and one or more adjustable lever arms limiting the upward flexure may be provided beneath the rear deck.