ss George Greenough’s personal board first
velo
built in 1966 (it collapsed on a few occasions during its lifetime and had to be rebuilt, resulting in the current paint job that differs slightly from the original). The high aspect fin (taller than wide with a swept back tip) became the standard shape by 1968 and continues to this day. It is rumored that Velo is short for velocity. It is unclear what the “SS” means under Velo. Greenough is fond of auto terms (his surf matt is called a 4th Gear Flyer) so perhaps, it means Super Sport.
Bottoms
Vee
The Vee Bottom was the translation of Greenough’s kneeboard Velo into a stand up surfboard and the beginning of the Shortboard Revolution. Vee Bottoms are so named because the bottom of the board had a distinct “V” shape unlike the rounded flat bottoms of longboards. The Vee allowed the boards to turn rail to rail very quickly. They were also two feet shorter and an inch thinner than most longboards of the time. The Vee Bottoms most closely following the Greenough design school were stringerless so that the board would flex, loading up energy going in to a turn and then unload, springing out of a turn with increased velocity.
Manufacturer: George Greenough Model: Velo SS Shaper: George Greenough Designer: George Greenough Length: 5’ 2” Width: 20.5” Nose: 18.5” Tail: 18” Circa: 1966 Original VELO Board. Courtesy of: Hischier Family Collection