Doc, what trends are you seeing in surfboard shaping?
… everything is in the water now but one of the good trends is that serious surfers are riding smaller, wider, thicker surfboards. Noses are definitely wider than they have been in a long time. Even on our Pro II we have been pushing the nose width out. It’s funny, 5 years ago it was 11”. Now it’s 12” and it’s normal.
Why?
Dane and other trend setters are riding fuller outline boards and they lead the way. Kelly Slater riding his stub nose at pipe last year has broadened the mass appeal of riding this type of board. I have been making fish outlines like this for years (like the Bushwacker and NDR) but there is just more acceptance now and that’s just opened up the validity of this type of board …definite turning point. Once pros say it’s ok to ride something then this opens the door. Now it’s Ok to ride a thicker, wider, shorter board and the masses benefit more from this kind of design. With more width, less rocker, a wider nose, mere mortals (non pros) now have a surfboard that makes it easier to catch waves, plains better, but still is loose enough to turn. Plus these boards ride crappier waves better. Most of us aren’t riding dream tour kind of waves. The reality is we are riding something less and finally boards that match these conditions are acceptable.
Where do you see surfboard design going?
I think it will stay where it’s at for a while. Everyone is going to have fun …so these kinds of surfboards will be around awhile. The whole classic keel fish can only go so far but the newer shorter wider flatter rocker boards will be around for a while.
These designs are doing good in the winter and will probably get even more popular into summer. Like I said the boards are fitting conditions and abilities better than ever….and this makes it more fun. Another thing is that quivers are more varied than ever. Definitely more diversity in quivers than ever and people are being more realistic with what they are getting.
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