2024 New South Wales Surfboard Design Contest Expands to Entire School District
Excitement is building as the 2024 AkuShaper Surfboard Design Contest prepares to kick off on 1 July— open to all schools across the state of New South Wales, Australia.
This year marks a significant expansion from its roots last year when a pilot collaboration between AkuShaper Hawaii and Bulli High School saw 25 entries in their innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) competition to design a surfboard. The winner, Denim Budai, had his first prize winning design custom made.
Denin Budai, 2023 NSW Surfboard Design Contest Winner, pictured with his winning design.
On 1 December 2024, AkuShaper will award TWO first prizes:
FIRST PRIZE: For a surfboard shaper who whose winning design will be cut into a board at Heart of Glass Byron Bay
FIRST PRIZE: For a surfboard artist whose designs will be sold by Boardlams in California
Talent-identifying future NSW engineers and artists:
Recognizing the need to bridge the gap between traditional education and practical STEAM applications, the AkuShaper Surfboard Design Contest aims to inspire NSW students by showcasing how these disciplines are integral to engineering industries and to the world of surfboard art.
Central to this initiative is AkuShaper's sophisticated surfboard design software which employs advanced mathematical algorithms including bezier curves and tangent points. This software not only simplifies the design process but also underscores the profound intersection of art and engineering within surfboard shaping.
"Surfboard shaping is more than an art form; it's a science," explains Nick Hodgkinson, Business Development Manager at AkuShaper. "From calculating precise curves to mastering lamination ratios, every step requires a deep understanding of mathematics and geometry."
Last year's contest was a resounding success, prompting a collaboration with the NSW Department of Education to broaden its reach statewide. Bulli High School has lauded the program for its transformative impact, providing students with hands-on STEAM experiences that resonate far beyond the classroom.
"We're thrilled to expand this opportunity to all NSW schools," adds David Strange, a STEAM teacher at Bulli High School. "The top two winners of the 2024 contest will secure a coveted one-year internship at AkuShaper, gaining invaluable experience alongside industry leaders."
As interest surges, the contest not only aims to nurture young talent but also to redefine perceptions of STEAM careers. "We want students to see that STEAM isn't confined to desks and machines," says Jimmy Freese, the Hawaiian-based founder of AkuShaper. "It's the backbone of innovation in fields as diverse as surfboard design."
With preparations in full swing, organizers encourage NSW state schools to take this opportunity to spark their students’ curiosity with the two winners in STEM and Arts set to land internships at AkuShaper San Diego.
Please visit the full contest details here: https://akushaper.com/events/nswsurfboarddesigncontest
