While a lot of sporting excellence relies on human ingenuity and skill, players and atheletes cannot perform well without the right tools at their disposal. This month's issue focuses on enhancing sports equipment – be it the ball, the racquet, the club, or surfboard.

Guy Richards talks to the developers of the 2011 Rugby World Cup – Gilbert Rugby – about how consistent performance can be achieved for kicking, handling and grip, while researchers in Spain reveal the SurfSens concept. This high-performance surfboard incorporates sensors and recording devices that enable coaches and surfers to measure the flex and torsion forces operating on the board. The goal is to inform surfer technique and aid development of new and improved boards using materials, dimensions and manufacturing technique.

Finally, we explore finite element analysis in sport and the use of additive manufacturing to customise equipment.