What does a Ding mean in terms of in surfing?

Answer 1

A ding is when a surfboard is damaged through contact with a hard object. A surfboard is made by taking a large piece of foam, forming the foam to the shape of the intended board size and design, decorating it with decals and paint, and covering it with transparent fibreglass. The foam used is much like polystyrene (the white packaging material usually found in boxes to protect sensitive equipment, like computers and electronic devices), but it's of a slightly different texture, in the sense that it doesn't have the springiness that polystyrene does. When a surfboard is bumped hard by a hard object, the protective layer of fibreglass is penetrated, and the inner foam is damaged. This might not make the board unusable, but it will take on water, and a surfboard needs to be rather buoyant, so extra water on board will render the board unusable. The most common reason for dings is usually two boards hitting each other. It's rather easy to repair, but often leaves an unsightly mark if not done properly.