Assess surfboard ding severity to determine if you can surf or need repair.
The key question with any ding is: is water entering the core? A small deck ding that does not leak is cosmetic only. A leak near the stringer or rail can cause delamination over time. The water leak test: drip water on the ding and time how long it takes to absorb. If absorbed in under 60 seconds, the core is getting wet. Always fix any ding near the stringer - it is a structural issue that can lead to a snap.