- For a decade, "surfing" has come to mean browsing
the net rather than riding ocean waves on a plank.
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- But a surfboard has now been developed that lets surfers
surf while surfing. The prototype board has been built by Devon "shaper"
Jools Matthews.
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- It houses a laptop, solar panels, and video camera, and
is to launch at the Intel GoldCoast Oceanfest on 18 June.
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- The world's first wi-fi board uses a high-speed net connection
point - hotspot - positioned on the beach.
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- Chip makers Intel has commissioned the unusual surfboard
as part of the free sports and music festival in North Devon to show off
how technology can be brought to the sea and sand.
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- The board will have its maiden outing on the waves when
it is used by international pro surfer Duncan Scott at the event.
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- Ride with the best
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- "As a professional surfer, explorer, writer, film
producer and world traveller, being able to communicate quickly and effectively
is critical to my success," said Mr Scott, who also advised on the
board's design.
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- "In the near future," he added, "via wireless
real-time streaming, it could be possible that observers will, for the
first time, actually be able to 'ride' a wave with the best surfers in
the world."
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- The board itself is 9ft 4 inch long board, ideally suited
to the particular waves found along the UK's "Surfers' Paradise"
in North Devon.
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- The technology, supplied by Intel, is tucked away neatly
in the board, inside a specially designed waterproof casing.
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- The casing is made of a tough but lightweight tray, and
has a silicone seal, a crystal PVC cover and an aluminium gasket.
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- The tablet laptop has a wireless chip, a 1.7Ghz processor
and a 80Gb hard drive.
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- Power comes from the solar panels fitted onto the board,
and it also has a video camera which can store 64Mb worth of wave-catching
action.
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- Serious side
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- But even though it is all a bit of fun, serious efforts
have been made to ensure the technology did not interfere with the ride
and feel of the board, said Intel.
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- The laptop weighs in at 2.3kg and its position in the
board was careful calculated to maintain the desired balance for surfers.
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- "It's all about giving people the freedom to get
online when and where they want - and this technology demonstrates that
with a bit of imagination you can do just that," said Tim Hatch, Intel's
consumer marketing manager.
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- The GoldCoast Oceanfest takes place from 18 to 20 June
at Croyde beach in North Devon.
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- © BBC MMIV http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3812357.stm
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