2011 performanc
JP has come up with a whole range of “X” models combining subtle bottom contours with tuned up plan shapes. Having picked up a lot of the boards in this guide we can tell you the technical detail put into the rocker and concave combo's this year is simply inspiring. You need to go to a good surf shop with a wide range of shapes and spend a day checking out the nuances. Nath Phillips fins free.
Resin8 has been experimenting with new techniques for quite a while now their latest models are in clear epoxy and have parallel stringers on the rail. This has the effect of stiffening the board in the middle but allowing flex in the tail, but that’s not all that makes this board stand out from the others. The Scoop features a scooped out concave deck. This is nothing knew in surfboard design, as anyone who remembers the legendary George Greenough will know but it is making a comeback. Resin8 shaper Ruarri Spurgeon told me, “The thickness for paddling and catching waves is all in the rails, which has always been where the floatation in a surfboard is. So taking thickness out of the centre of the board doesn't reduce paddling power. Besides the fact that these boards are designed to be ridden shorter, they feature slightly fuller rails.” Ruarri told me the scoop deck feels so much more comfortable when paddling and is more stable as you feel as though you are ‘inside‘ the board when riding. There's a little over a half inch thickness taken out of the centre of the board to create this scoop deck shape, which brings you closer to the wave. This creates a lower centre of gravity and you feel better balanced with control through any type of manoeuvre. Ruarri says, “These features will be greatly noticed from the very first surf, even more so when going back to riding a regular 'domed' deck surfboard; the surfer will greatly notice the slight loss of balance on the 'domed' deck, and also notice the feeling of riding higher above the wave. Riding lower and closer to the waves face has its benefits, even if it's just a half inch, this will be noticed.” SurfTech has long been the market leader in this type of technology. This year they have been developing the technology much further based on feedback on their team. The goal— to produce a board with the benefits of epoxy but the feel of polyester. 'Ultraflx' is their answer. These boards are claimed to have the flex pattern, performance and characteristics of a polyester board but by using high quality materials and construction, the board maintains the crisp flex and soft feel of a new board for years rather than weeks or months. New in the range this year there are lots of five fin set-ups that allow you to ride shapes as thrusters, quads or five fins, including the new Harley Ingleby HP 9'1" but right down to high performance short boards from Rusty, Simon Anderson and Stretch. The Randy French Bat Bullet (5 fin) has a fuller nose than a typical winged fish with a unique pulled-in bat tail, giving more volume without the length. They can be ridden in a broader range of waves, while maintaining drive. The Xanadu Gipos and Randy French Spudnik (both 5 fin): also have that wide rounded outline, with smooth curves, are ultra responsive, keep their speed and float well, but still let you pull off those big turns. They are ideal summer boards.
carve surfing magazine 99