Intel creates world’s first Wireless Technology Surfboard

Intel, the world’s largest chip manufacturer, has created the world’s first
ever surfboard with built-in wireless laptop. The surfboard will allow
surfers to check their emails, surf the web, and even record footage of
themselves catching the best waves. The tablet laptop based on Intel®
Centrino(tm) mobile technology allows a wireless Internet connection from
the surfboard to a ‘hotspot’ on the beach.

The Intel Wireless Technology Surfboard has been developed to accompany the
2004 Intel GoldCoast Oceanfest, the North Devon free sports and music
festival held June 18th – 20th, sponsored this year by Intel.

The board will be launched and surfed for the first time at the festival, by
international pro surfer Duncan Scott, an ‘Intel Ambassador’ on the world
surf circuit. Duncan has been using Intel Centrino mobile technology all
over the world on the pro surfing circuit – keeping track of tides, keeping
in touch with sponsors, family and friends while he travels around the
globe. Duncan has also given advice on the creation of the Intel Wireless
Technology Surfboard as it has taken shape.

Duncan Scott said: ‘As a professional surfer, explorer, writer, film
producer and world traveller, being able to communicate quickly and
effectively is critical to my success. Following the whims of the planet’s
ever-changing oceans for ten months of the year requires constant access to
the latest information, and the ability to make last-second arrangements,
even while I’m travelling to the swell. With a hotspot and a laptop using
Intel Centrino mobile technology I can take my entire “office” with me
wherever I go, and be ready to leave at the drop of a hat whenever an
internet swell report looks good – whether it’s West Africa, the Philippines
or New Caledonia. And, in the near future, 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!’

The Intel Wireless Technology Surfboard uses Intel Centrino mobile
technology to allow surfers to connect to the internet whether they’re out
in the swell, relaxing on the beach, or putting their feet up at their
favourite beach bar, as long as there’s a hotspot within range. A hotspot
has been enabled at Croyde beach, North Devon, for the Intel Goldcoast
Oceanfest, allowing festival-goers to connect to the internet wirelessly
from the beach and making sure the Intel Wireless Technology Surfboard comes
into its own as this summer’s must have surfing accessory. The one-of-a-kind
board also comes complete with a built-in solar charging kit, to allow the
laptop to be recharged by the sun while you’re on the beach, enabling
extended battery life for longer days out.

The board has been developed by Intel with help from renowned North Devon
board shaper Jools Matthews of Gulfstream surfboards. Over the past fifteen
years Jools has shaped over 15,000 surfboards, so when Intel decided to
mount this ambitious project he was the first person to turn to, making sure
the technology didn’t interfere with the ride and feel of the board.

Jools Matthews said: ‘It was a great challenge to fit the technology into
the board and ensure it remains watertight. We worked really hard to
incorporate the weight of the laptop without affecting how this board
performs – and I’m confident that it will still have all the ride quality
that has made Gulfstream boards famous.’

The board was the brainchild of Intel’s marketing team, who also devised the
concept of the wireless beach for the Oceanfest event. Tim Hatch, Intel’s
Consumer Marketing Manager said: ‘The whole idea of getting behind this
festival was to push our technology to the limits. Intel Centrino mobile
technology allows people to work and play much more freely – whether you’re
accessing a hotspot at the beach, out on your surfboard, or from a café or
bar. 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.’