e v of
o
l u nz
t i o n b oa r ds
For over a century Kiwi craftsmen have always had a reputation of producing some of the finest and most articulate work that can be found on this planet, from boat building, construction, engineering and down on into the production of manufacturing surfboards. You would struggle to find any board factory anywhere in the world that doesn't either have a kiwi working or hasn't been influenced by a a kiwi perfectionist at some point. Our board builders have even developed some of the most influential design elements of the surfboard as we know it, such as the fibreglass fin to mention only one. Although NZ was a late bloomer in the sport of surfing, once the sport grabbed the worlds attention and with NZ being a stopover point for surfers travelling between Australia, Hawaii and the USA. Surfing gained over night popularity, local board manufacturers spawned with direct access to the latest trends and the business of surfboards and the sport we love was born. We scratch the surface of the evolution of NZ Surfboards from their beginnings to the current designs.
Atlas Woods Located: Customs St, Auckland. Era: 1963-66 Dimensions: 9'6" x 21" single skeg Shaper: Along with Dunlop Surfboards, Atlas
Quane Surfboards Located: Christchurch Era: 1961-67 Dimensions: 9’ x 20 1/2” single skeg Shaper: Dennis Quane. Background: One of the first manufactur-
Woods boards were two of the early mass produced boards. And the two brands dominated the market until custom board manufacturers began to surface.
ers to offer custom boards and blow their own blanks along with Peter ‘The Original’ Byers, Rodney Davidson, Roger land, Bob Davies and Peter Way.
Bob Davies Surfboards-Alan Byrne Model Located: Gisborne Era:1965-67 Dimensions: 8’5” x 23 3/4” Single fin, stringer-
Atlas Woods- Waynes Parkes Concept Model. Located: Glenfied, Auckland Era:1966-70 Dimensions: 6’2” x 20” single fin, diamond
less as popularised by 1963 World Champion Midget Farrelly. Shaper: Bob Davies Background: Bob’s designs were influential in bringing down the length and other manufacturers followed suit, with teenage sensation Alan Byrne a team rider Bob had the country watching his every move. Other manufacturers of this era- Del Surfboards, Jackman Way, Frank Wilkin, Ted Davidson, Nev Hines.
tail.
Shaper: Wayne Parkes Background: From 66-70 Wayne Parkes won five consecutive National Titles and was shaping for Atlas Woods on the North Shore of Auckland where till this day he still shapes under his own label. Wayne spent a lot of time in Australia under influential shapers and his progressive designs show through here in this board.
Bob Davies Surfboards Located: Mt Maunganui Era:1967-70 Dimensions: 7’8” x 20” S-deck, single fin. Stringer-
Jackman Way Alliance Located: Takapuna, Auckland. Era: 1969-70 Dimensions: 6’5” x 20 1/4” Single fin, square
less board.
tail.
Shaper: Bob Davies Background: Having moved to Mt Maunganui and also
Shaper: Peter Way or Dave Jackman Background: Pioneering board makers Peter
opening smaller factories in Auckland, Waihi, Whangamata. Bob dominated the market over these years, and was also influential in starting the shaping careers of Alan Byrne and Tony Waterhouse during this period. Nose riding and walking the board had been taken over by surfers wanting to surf more vertically up the wave, hence the move toward finer rails and shorter, narrower boards.
Way and Dave Jackman joined forces and at their peak were making 30-40 boards a week.
44
Surfboards Gisborne Located: Gisborne Era: 1969-74 Dimensions: 6’8” x 19 1/4” Single fin. Shaper: Bob Rasby Background: Surfboards Gisborne was
Garuda Surf Designs Located: Whangamata Era: 1973-75 Dimensions: 6’0 ” x 21” Single fin Shaper: Bob Davies factory shaper unknown.
launched upon the departure of Bob Davies from Gisborne, with Gary Lidgard, Benny Hutchings and Bill Carson manning the tools.
Background: Possibly one of the first boards
Grey Seal Surfboards Located: Mt Maunganui Era: 1974-76 Dimensions: 7’10” x 19 1/2” Single fin double hip
Wilson Surfboards Located: Raglan Era: 1975-79 Dimensions: 6’7” x 191/2” Single fin, Stinger
commissioned for a retail store Garuda based in Whangamata, an example of how length were experimentally shortened dramatically over a short period.
pintail.
hip.
Shaper: Alan Byrne Background: Grey Seal was launched by Tony
Shaper: Don Wilson Background: Influenced by the Hawaiian
Waterhouse (who served his apprenticeship under Bob Davie) after Bob left the Mount, Tony did the shaping, yet this board was shaped by Alan Byrne during his days in the airforce when he shaped at a variety of factories around the country. You can see the same shaping traits in this AB model that would flow through his career.
Pipeline boards that Jerry Lopez also made famous at G-Land, this design feature dominated this era of boards. Following on from Roger Land and Peter Miller, Don Wilson served the surfers of Raglan.
Seasons Surfboards Located: Newmarket, Auckland Era: 1979-82 Dimensions: 5’8” x 20 1/2” single flyer swallow
Sunshine Surfboards Located: Mt Maunganui Era: 1980-84 Dimensions: 5’6” x 19 3/4” Slight hip, swallow
tail. Twin fin.
tail, three fin thruster.
Shaper: Brian Smith Background: The short and wide twin fin gifted
Shaper: Mike Murden Background: In 1981 Australian Simon Ander-
surfers an injection of speed and was popularised by 4x World Champion Mark Richards, with all NZ manufacturers implementing this design.
son rode a three fin board he named ‘The Thruster’ and NZ shapers caught on and it became the base design configuration for the next 30 years.
Saltwater Surfboards Located: Whangamata Era: 1982-85 Dimensions: 5’10” x 20” Quad fin, Stinger to
Ngaru Toa Surfboards Located: Gisborne Era: 1990-94 Dimensions: 6’2” x 18 1/4” Single flyer, swal-
double flyer, swallow tail.
low tail, thruster
Shaper: B Bob Davies Background: An era which saw board designs
Shaper: Ralph Blake Background: The ultra thin heavily curved
go from the single fin right through to 5 and 7 fins. The quad was popular and has made a modern day comeback.
boards of the 90’s which Kelly Slater brought to the world. Although toned down slightly these designs are still in use till this day.
Ngaru Toa Surfboard compliments Eddie Daley, Quane, Atlas Woods, Jackman Way Surfboards ℅ Tairawhiti Museum Collection. Many thanks to Mike Murden for his collection.
s t f
h u
a t
p h
i u
n r
g e e
Kiwis have always had a reputation as do it yourself 'DIY' types, in years gone by most surfers either fixed their own dings or entertained the idea of making their open board either out of necessity or as a one off hobby, some of our greatest shapers careers were even launched by the odd ding repair or sweep out of the local shapers bay. Yet with all this modern day expansion into computer shapes, imported mass produced craft and with society in general stepping back from a hands on approach to life, we could be forgiven for thinking that the ongoing art of surfboard shaping would surely die with those currently at the industries helm. You sure don't hear much these days about young surfers picking up a planer and having a dig! Well after doing a little research we were quietly surprised at the amount of young kiwi surfers still out their with a passion to pick up the tools and create, some of these guys may keep the industry humming in years to come, or simply be satisfied that they crafted something they were gifted so much pleasure in return from. Wherever their future paths lead them, we are stoked to see so many of our younger generation of surfers preserving the art. Here we feature the thoughts and back grounds of five young apprentices of foam.
TOM PILKINTON: All Things Common Surfboards Age: 20 From: Waitara, Taranaki How many boards have you shaped? Four, gotta start somewhere! When did you shape your first board and the motivation to do so? I shaped my first board when I was 19, I saw a few videos of these guys shaping and riding these finless alaia boards, that kinda got me amped to give it a crack myself, so I did some research, brought the gear and made a massive mess in my flat shed hahaha Describe the buzz of creating a board you can surf on or watch others surf on? Ahhh it’s epic!! I’m lucky enough to have a job glassing and sanding at CSA Surfboards, it’s a mad buzz taking finished boards out to the show room and getting to see the stoked customers!
board for a specific person. All of the boards that come through CSA are machined using hand shapes and designs Cain has developed over many years of hand shaping. I have a massive respect for the guys still hand shaping, it’s mind blowing to see the accuracy and craftsmanship these guys have, it’s defiantly something to aspire to! It’s rad getting to meet guys like Robert Walsh still hand shaping after all these years. So where do you think this honeymoon with shaping will take you? From what I’ve seen and been told shaping isn’t just something you learn over night, it takes years and years to master. So at this stage I’m amped to have a job in the industry where I can have access to materials and learn and improve as I go, I turn 21 in august so I’m begging dad to buy me a good planer so I can get into some hand shaping. Many young generation surfers do not know how certain design elements in their boards affect their surfing, has shaping boards improved your surfing or simply your understanding of design elements has that made you more aware of what and how you are surfing? Yeah I think making a few boards myself has improved my surfing lots, rather than always riding standard short boards in all conditions it’s cool to be able to play round with some short quads with random tails. Also working with Cain I’ve learnt lots about how concaves, tail shapes and rocker affect how a board preforms. I also learn lots just by listening to him taking orders from customers, the questions he asks and explanations he gives etc.. Has shaping your own boards given you a whole new level of respect toward the other established NZ Shapers? Definitely! I’ve got massive respect for local kiwi surf shops and shapers. When it comes to surfboards there really isn’t huge amounts of money in it, not to mention competition from chain stores and big overseas board companies. It’s a hard game! So please please please! support your local shapers and surf shops. Which shapers do you draw inspiration from? Cain Aldridge, Donald Brink, Ryan Burch, Dave Howell and Josh Hall Which shapers do you draw inspiration from? Mike Murden has helped me over my whole life with boards showing me all different techniques and shapes that I would never of thought of. Which I’m very grateful for. But lately I shaped a new log for myself. I got a lot of inspiration from this guy called Robin Kegel. He’s next level in the log shaping scene and has some radical shapes. Even his glassing and finishing is just so different. Also this guy called Jake Bowrey who glasses for Thomas Bexon is such a perfectionist and super inspirational for me.
What are your thoughts on the future of shaping? I think over the next few years I think shaping machines are going to become more prominent, I just hope the art of hand shaping isn’t lost. The shaping machine is a necessary part of shaping these days, your thoughts on machine vs hand shapes? I think shaping machines are amazing, they save massive amounts of time, they’re great for making small refined changes to boards and also knowing the volume of the board also helps a lot with finding the right
46
generating speed, they’re the way to go. Also the DMS carbon wrap seem sweet, I did something similar and it gave me a really flexi tail and it’s so sick. I’m pretty hyped on flex and carbon fibre in the near future, because it can create so much spring and speed though turns. The shaping machine is a necessary part of shaping these days, your thoughts on machine vs hand shapes? I think it’s a good thing in a production level and for pros who are getting 50 boards a year because you can get everything so similar between each board and you can make adjustments so easily on the cnc shapers. I reckon a hand shaped board is so much more special because you just know there has been this whole process of having about 4-6 hours of shaping and I think it’s awesome having a hand shaped board because I just feel like surfing seems that It was really founded off back yard shapers and its cool to keep that tradition going. So where do you think this honeymoon with shaping will take you? Shaping and board repairs have been my only pay for the last few years while I’ve been at school. It might be cool to try and make a proper label one day and really start pumping a few out, but I’m a bit worried that it might take my passion away from shaping and it could become 'just a job'. The main reason is to just keep my love of surfing fresh and keep me in the water. Many young generation surfers do not know how certain design elements in their boards affect their surfing, has shaping boards improved your surfing or simply your understanding of design elements has that made you more aware of what and how you are surfing? Yeah definitely there’s no doubt. I used to only be able to feel a good board from a bad one, but the more shaping I do and the better I get at surfing the more I can pin point the problem and feel what works and what doesn’t, for example I just added a little bit more vee off the tail on my last board which has a bit of a wider tail and I can just feel it’s a lot easier to slide it around in and out of turns, also deep single concaves I really enjoy because I can feel the bite it gives you off the bottom. Has shaping your own boards given you a whole new level of respect toward the other established NZ Shapers? Yeah especially Glen Carkeek and the whole Primal team and also Jamie Scott of Tribal they have all just helped me out so much. Which shapers do you draw inspiration from? Hamish Clarke- classic Northland backyard shaper but super onto it with concaves, fins and rockers. Colin McNeil- I never met him but I was given all of his tools and templates. Then yeah just Glen Carkeek, Jamie Scott, Mayhem and Tommy Dalton also Tomo has some pretty cool shapes and ideas. Maurice Coles single concaves are mean too because it gives really flat rocker through the centre of the board but then you still get heaps of rocker through the rails.
HARRY BERGMAN: Dirty Harry Surfboards Age: 18 From: Kerikeri, Northland How many boards have you shaped? I just finished shaping my 29th last week. When did you shape your first board and the motivation to do so? I was learning to surf and I just wanted a cheap board so I made a wooden one that was so bad and weighed about 20kgs and I only tried to surf it once. A few months later in about early 2012 my cousin Jesse who had shaped a few boards, helped me to shape and glass a 6’2” swallow tail with the full yellow rails and a big purple peace sign on the bottom. It’s a tank but still a pretty fun board. Describe the buzz of creating a board you can surf on or watch others surf on? I just love knowing what I want to make In my head then trying to get that out of the foam, then fearing it smooth, also when you add the rails and all of the angles kind of come together properly for the first time. That’s a pretty satisfying feeling. It’s pretty unreal to know that you’re helping give enjoyment to someone while there doing something they love. It’s a wicked feeling to get positive feedback. What are your thoughts on the future of shaping? Quads are pretty interesting. I’m not a huge fan personally, but I reckon for older guys who just need a bit of help
JORDAN GRIFFIN: Soft Carpet Surfboards Age: 18 From: Mount Maunganui How many boards have you shaped? I’ve shaped 13 boards so far When did you shape your first board and the motivation to do so? About three years ago. I wanted to be able to create a board that no one was really making back then. Everybody was still on there 6’2” pin tails and I wanted a little disco biscuit that just went real fast in a straight line. Which was the first board I made. And after that; I was hooked! Describe the buzz of creating a board you can surf on or watch others surf on? When one of your mates comes over after a wave just to tell you how good your board went for them. And that they had a blast on it. It’s just such a satisfying feeling after the hard work I’ve put into the boards. It just keeps me frothing on it. What are your thoughts on the future of shaping? Shit’s gonna get high tech. But that’s cool. I’m looking forward to seeing, and hopefully try use some of the new materials that will be coming into the market sooner than later. With the shaping side of it I actually wouldn’t have clue what’s next it’s already pretty cooked! The shaping machine is a necessary part of shaping these days, your thoughts on machine vs hand shapes? I reckon you can’t beat a good old hand shape from your local shaper. But after getting a few boards off the machine which is just so efficient. But also almost too easy. For me; I feel I need to just stick to the planer for a few more years get my skills up to scratch first. So where do you think this honeymoon with shaping will take you? Well hopefully in the near future I’ll be shaping more and selling them off. But if I was ever to leave my job making coffee and head into the bay full time it surely wont be for the millions, but more the life style of being your own boss and being able to drop the tools and go surf the epic swell we always get here in the Mount hahaha. Many young generation surfers do not know how certain design elements in their boards affect their surfing, has shaping boards improved your surfing or simply your understanding of design elements has that made you more aware of what and how you are surfing? When I was young I would just tell my shaper (Mike Murden HV) what size board I wanted and left the rest up to him. But now I look back at that, and I really wish I did know more about the way boards ride from
the shape of them. Now I have a way bigger understanding for the way little changes in a boards shape makes it ride different. So for all the super groms out there, get in the bay with your local shaper when he’s whipping up your next “custom” surfboard and ask him as many questions as possible. You’ll learn so much! And hopefully your surfing will improve from it. Has shaping your own boards given you a whole new level of respect toward the other established NZ Shapers? The thing is I didn’t realise how much hard labour that went into a board from start to finish. And after making a few for myself and others, it made me appreciate all the shapers out there so much more. Respect! Which shapers do you draw inspiration from? Mike Murden has helped me over my whole life with boards showing me all different techniques and shapes that I would never of thought of. Which I’m very grateful for. But lately I shaped a new log for myself. I got a lot of inspiration from this guy called Robin Kegel. He’s next level in the log shaping scene and has some radical shapes. Even his glassing and finishing is just so different. Also this guy called Jake Bowrey who glasses for Thomas Bexon is such a perfectionist and super inspirational for me.
47
48
Clay Marzo is probably the maddest cat we know. • Wider forward outline, pulled in via hip in the tail • High Performance rocker • Single to pronounced double concave • Tri Fin | Rounded Square Tail • Ride in your favorite shortboard dims or as a step-up • Available in custom dimensions/specs 5’8 (23.8L) – 6’4 (34.8L) www.superbranded.com
superbrand mad cat - from $799.00 superbrand unit - from $899.00
Built for speed and agility, the Unit is a small wave assault weapon. • Wide, curvy outline • Low continuous rocker • Single to double concave • 5 plug Tri/Quad option fin set up • Ride 4-6” shorter than your standard shortboard and at or around your optimal volume • Available in custom dimensions/specs 5’0 (21.4L) – 6’0 (36.4L) www.superbranded.com
The PigDog is the ultimate travel board. • Wide nose and center with a pulled in tail • Low to mid rocker • Single to double concave • 5 Plug Setup for tri/quad Option • Pulled in rounded pin • Ride + or – 2” from your shortboard and at a slightly higher volume • Also available as step-ups and guns up to 10’ by custom order • Available in custom dimensions/ specs 5’4 (22.5L) – 6’4 (37.3L) www.superbranded.com
superbrand pigdog - from $899.00
6’2”, 18 ¼, 2 ¼. Single to double concave, medium rocker, squash tail. Triple perforated stringers, hollow Kevlar honeycomb core, hi tech prepreg carbon fibre twill / inegra composite construction. Designed for power and speed. www.blackboards.co.nz
Performance Series - $1000.00
superbrand answer - from $799.00
superbrand TOY - from $799.00
• The Most re-ordered board in or range! Wider, fuller outline than a normal shortboard • Low rocker throughout • Single to double concave • Tri fin or five fin box setup • Squash, swallow tail, or round tail • Ride 1-3 inches shorter and half-inch wider than a normal shortboard • Available in custom dimensions and grom sizes 5’8 (23.7L) – 6’4 (34.6L) www.superbranded.com 6’2”, 20, 2 1/2. Single to double concave, flattish rocker, knuckled fish tail, triple perforated stringers, hollow Kevlar honeycomb core, hi tech prepreg carbon fibre twill / inegra composite construction. The future of surfing. www.blackboards.co.nz
www.blackboards.co.nz
Fish Series - $1125.00
Has shaping your own boards given you a whole new level of respect toward the other established NZ Shapers? Yes and No, because I used to think surfboards were held together with black magic and witch craft. When I found out that was not true, shaping definitely lost a bit of its cool. But yes I do have a great respect for the amount years; effort, trial and error, that master shapers have put into perfecting their art from. Because any average Joe can make a board. But it takes a master shaper to make the magic board. Which shapers do you draw inspiration from? There are so many that have influenced me, but definitely Graham Carse, hands down the best short boards that I have ever ridden and the best teacher I have had. But also guys such as Wayne Parkes, Glen Carkeek and Craig Lloyd. And the overseas dudes Ryan Burch, Neal Purchase JR, Dan Tomson and Derek Hynd.
When you don’t know how the waves will be or what board to ride, we have an Answer: • Slightly wider outline for slower waves but with a standard width tail for maneuverability • High performance rocker for tight pocket surfing • Single to light double concave between the fins • Tri fin • Squash tail • Ride 1-2” shorter and ¼” – ½” wider than a normal shortboard • Available in custom dimensions and grom sizes 5’0 (16.5L) to 6’6 (34.3L) www.superbranded.com
of what and how you are surfing? Yeah for sure, I have been very lucky as I have had lots of opportunity’s to surf lots of different boards from 50’s logs to classic 70’s singles that has open my eyes to the importance of modern concaves and how important the balances between speed and control is. Shaping has also made me a much better-rounded surfer. Learning all about what design features do and how they relate to the line and turns I can draw on a wave.
Concerned about having too many shapes to ride—some for airs, some for turns— Dion Agius sought a simple solution, the SPV. • Curvy outline with wider center and subtly pulled in nose and tail • Medium rocker with extra flip off the tail • Single to double concave with slight V off the tail • Tri fin • Ride 3-4 inches shorter and at the same volume as usual board • Squash tail • Available in custom dimensions/specs 5’6 (22.7L) – 6’0 (31.0L) www.superbranded.com
OLIVER LE NOEL: kook Surfboards
Age: 22 From: Auckland but living and studying in Dunedin How many boards have you shaped? 12 boards When did you shape your first board and the motivation to do so? I was 17 when my mate and I decided that we needed “Fishes” to surf the small waves at Taka so we both went out and made our own boards, it was the best board I had ever ridden haha. Describe the buzz of creating a board you can surf on or watch others surf on? So f*#@en mean! It’s the coolest thing ever, watching my friends ride them and how much it creates for them. It’s always nice surfing on your own boards cos they’re always so different and it is such a learning experience seeing how changes in design can affect performance. What are your thoughts on the future of shaping? The future of shaping will be (unfortunately) more behind the computer rather than the shaping bay. The integration of new technology that will help to make the surfboard last longer and less impact of the environment. But I also think with the design side, there is a considerable amount of discussion regarding asymmetrical boards and how amazing they feel. This is because of the responsive nature of the boards design, your body works in synthesis with board movement as you surf a wave. The shaping machine is a necessary part of shaping these days, your thoughts on machine vs hand shapes? I think that it is just the start and the shaping machine will be outdated very shortly, with new technology that will make board production easier ,faster and less expensive. But I am not a massive fan as all the boards I have had from the machines have never been amazing compared to some of the handmade master pieces I have been lucky enough to surf. I think hand shaping will never die out because people have too much respect for the art. I think this is summed up by a quote by Ellis Ericson: “good boards ain’t cheap and cheap boards ain’t good”. So where do you think this honeymoon with shaping will take you? Hopefully somewhere warm overseas, where I can continue learning, experimenting from other well respected shapers. Or more likely stay cold and in NZ and just help the boys and stop them from ever having bad boards. Many young generation surfers do not know how certain design elements in their boards affect their surfing, has shaping boards improved your surfing or simply your understanding of design elements has that made you more aware
superbrand Siamese Palm Viper (SPV) - from $799.00
Age: 18 Yrs From: Muriwai Beach How many boards have you shaped? Four boards so far a 9’6” Long board with Dad, 5’5 ½” Single fin groveller for myself, 5’4” Thruster with Kelly my younger brother, and another 6’8” short board with dad. In production is a tube riding single fin with Sam my older brother. When did you shape your first board and the motivation to do so? First board I shaped was August 2014, the motivation was my dad snapped two long boards in a row and said that’s it I am never going to buy another board for myself again. So dad being a builder we decided to build a shaping bay. Describe the buzz of creating a board you can surf on or watch others surf on? The buzz is the coolest feeling because you know there is nothing else like it, people ask where you got that board from and you have great pleasure in saying you made it yourself.
Though shorter and wider than you might be used to, don’t be fooled: the Vapors is one of our most versatile boards and can be ridden just about every day, from tiny waves to head-high. It’s a favourite of Ry Craike, Clay Marzo, and the rest of the team and it’s one of our most demanded boards at shops worldwide. www.superbranded.com
BLAKE HAVEN: Haven Surfboards
www.superbranded.com | Australia@superbranded.com | +61 7 5536 4681
superbrand vapors 2 - from $799.00
What are your thoughts on the future of shaping? I think shaping machines will play a big role but I hope there will still be backyard shapers giving it a go. The shaping machine is a necessary part of shaping these days, your thoughts on machine vs hand shapes? A shaping machine is great if you are a big company and want to refine your boards. We have used the shaping machine once because we wanted to make a tube riding single fin and had no templates or old boards to work off so we went to the good guys at Primal Surfboards who helped us out by making a file up on the computer then did a pre shape on the machine. So now if we want to perfect that it is all on computer ready to change. Hand shaping takes longer but it’s definitely a better feeling shaping by hand then riding your own board. So where do you think this honeymoon with shaping will take you? At the moment we are only making grovel small wave boards and mals because there are fewer things that can go wrong but they are always going to be able to catch a wave. So at the moment it’s just for fun but who knows. Many young generation surfers do not know how certain design elements in their boards affect their surfing, has shaping boards improved your surfing or simply your understanding of design elements has that made you more aware of what and how you are surfing? When I shaped the single fin I had to surf it completely differently from my everyday board, I had to slow down and flow with the wave, which I think has bought a bit more style and flow into my surfing. To make it easy to make the board it had a low rocker and a flat bottom with a small v in the tail. I was amazed at how well it went. So this made me realise by keeping it simple that we could experiment with things like the concave and rail shapes how it really affected the performance of the boards. This has certainly made me realise how design can change the way a board works. Has shaping your own boards given you a whole new level of respect toward the other established NZ Shapers? Yeah definitely have more respect for NZ Shapers for the amount of time they spend perfecting their designs. Which shapers do you draw inspiration from? My first inspiration was an Italian shaper Matia that I met in NZ while on holiday; he let me take photos and dimensions off his board and told me to have a go at making one like it. My other inspiration is watching Steve Hamlyn from Primal getting pitted on boards that he has made.
NOA DEANE / SURFBOARD SISTA BROTHA
The Rooster came about because of a “what if “conversation with some of the team. It was loosely based on the Hustler. We changed the outline, rocker and venturi configuration, so that the board would fit better in rounder waves but still retain its performance in everyday surf. It features a full outline, flat rocker and a Venturi bottom which will give it speed and manoeuvrability in small to medium waves. www.rusty.com
RUSTY rooster - $999.00
5 ‘8” x 18 ½ x 2 3/16 x 23 lt Refined low rails for sensitive quick response. Volume concentrated under feet for high performance tight arcs and rotations. Tweaked rocker with single thru double concave. www.seasonsurfboards.co.nz
Farrout performance - $850.00
RUSTY magic thumb - $929.00
It’s basically a squashed down short board with a flatter rocker and a slight double inside a deep single staring at the entry giving you instant high speed to get you moving through the small waves. It has a fuller Foil through the chest and tail so you wont bog as you can ride the Magic Door 3-5 inches shorter and most of all enjoy the benefits of what will feel like your normal short board. . www.rusty.com
RUSTY magic door - $929.00
The Magic Thumb is a carbon copy of our most successful model the magic door, but with a smooth round tail. The slight hip in the tail assists in turns and takes out that full square tail look giving you a smoother rail to rail transition. All design aspects.... Rockers, concaves and rails are all the same as the Magic Door. www.rusty.com
Seasons Surfboards | www.seasonsurfboards.co.nz | p: 021732766
5 ‘ 11” x 19 x 13 x 14 ¾ x 2 3/8 Single thru double concave balanced all round rocker for variety of waves and conditions medium soft forgiving rails. A board for all occasions. www.seasonsurfboards.co.nz
custom - $850.00
6 ‘ 4” x 20 ½ x 13 x 15 ½ x 2 5/8 x 36 lt High volume short board performance for the bigger and or older guys and girls who want volume but the feel of performance. Full sort rails deep double concave to get it on rail. Bring the fun and love to the beach. www.seasonsurfboards.co.nz
love boat - $850.00
Ever ridden your Magic Door and thought “geez if the tail was a little tighter wonder what it would go like?” Well that’s exactly what the Grim Ripper is!! The front half is The Magic Door outline, rocker and rails and the back half has been modified with more tail flip, thinned out foils and a double flyered rounded square pod enabling you to turn harder and sharper in the average surf. The planshape has been geared more towards a high performance groveller and you can ride it 2-4 inches shorter than most. www.rusty.com
RUSTY grim ripper - $929.00
Developed for the bigger days chasing down peaks in open waters and battling currents, it is the perfect wave-hawking weapon. It features added volume, an area-forward outline, lower entry rocker and a light vee in the nose, allowing it to paddle into anything, even in the toughest of surf conditions. With a slight single to double concave bottom running through the fins and rounded pintail, the Blackbird delivers smooth transitions and fast, clean lines. www.rusty.com
RUSTY blackbird - $929.00
Noa Deane’s latest the ‘Sista Brotha” is developed from his free-surfing travels. This performance shortboard excels in conditions from beach breaks to point breaks. The Sista Brotha features a single concave, moderate entry rocker and a low tail rocker with a fuller rail making this a lively board that allows Noa to execute his arsenal of maneouvers without thinking twice…Sista Brotha from Noa Deane. www.rusty.com
RUSTY sista-brotha- $929.00-$999.00
www.rusty.com
Funky
First seen on the WCT tour in 2010, the Rookie has been rediscovered by our entire CT team this year; Seabass, Kelly, Adriano, Lakey, Bianca, Sage and Kai all have won heats on the new Rook 15. It has been a Team favourite. Ridden shorter and wider than the original, the Rook 15 is the ultimate contest workhorse. Single concave throughout, the Rook 15 works best when on rail. www.backdoor.co.nz
Channel Islands Rook 15 - $975.00
All-rounder design wave range 3-6 foot slightly lower rocker and narrower to handle powerful beach break waves. 5,10”-6’8” volumes and dimensions changeable for custom orders. mikelewinsurfdesign@facebook.com
speed monkey - $750.00 no fins/$790.00 with fins
Channel Islands Average Joe - $995.00
In 2000 the original Pod rapidly became a global favourite, allowing surfers to drop six inches off their shortboards and revolutionize punting. The Pod Mod design is a heavily modified Pod, designed to be ridden even shorter and wider than the original, catering to the surfer that wants a little more volume forward to catch waves but doesn’t want to sacrifice performance. www.backdoor.co.nz
JChannel Islands Pod Mod - $995.00
Over the last six years and hundreds of stops on our demo tour, CI have learned a few things. One of those is that surfers sometimes want something simple, fun, and easy to ride. The Joe can be surfed off the rail or tail that has Al’s signature hip tail template to keep drive. Full rails keep high volume in a short outline. Increase wave count, make more sections. The average Joe is geared towards the things that makes surfing fun. www.backdoor.co.nz
Funky
All-rounder, wave range 3-7 foot more curvy bottom rocker to handle sucky hollow waves, reef/point breaks. 5’10-6’8” volumes and dimensions changeable for custom orders. mikelewinsurfdesign@facebook.com
65 Cobden Street, Gisborne | p: 0212101708 e: mikelewinsurf@hotmail.com f: mikelewinsurfdesigns@facebook.com
banana monkey - $750.00 no fins/$790.00 with fins
Small wave design 1-3 foot waves, has very flat rocker with very wide outline and single hip in the tail. Very fast board, lots of fun for small waves. 5’6”-6’4” volumes and dimensions changeable for custom orders. mikelewinsurfdesign@facebook.com
Funky monkey - $750.00 no fins/$790.00 with fins
5’8 – 6’2 The New Flyer was voted SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn) 2013 oard of the Year. In 1999, Al Merrick designed the Flyer, revolutionizing high performance surfing in small waves. For 2013 CI has modernized the Flyer into a shorter and wider package. Designed for knee waist to head high and it excels in tight or tricky conditions. www.backdoor.co.nz
Channel Islands The New Flyer - $945.00
5’8 – 6’4 The BB2 from JS Industries has received outstanding reviews from our customers and is one of Backdoor’s best selling JS models. Born from the original Blak Box, it has been updated to follow JS’s latest design qualities with slightly narrowed nose, lower rail & removed double concave. In all, the BB2 has expanded its range of wave types without compromising performance in the small stuff. www.backdoor.co.nz
JS Blak Box 2- $995.00
5’9 – 6’4 The Monsta 3 is the most all round high performance board in the JS quiver. The Monsta was credited as the 2013 surfboard of the year at the Aust Surf Retailers Awards & played a major part in Parkos WCT victory. It slots in the huge gap found between perfection & absolute slop. Updated in early 2015, the M3 is built off the boards that Joel, Dusty, Ace, Julian all rode throughout 2014 season. Now available in round tail with 5 plug configuration. www.backdoor.co.nz
JS Monsta 3 - $925.00
www.backdoor.co.nz
T S O M NZ’S SIVE N E H E R S P D M R O A C O B F R E U N I S L F N O O E & G E N R A O T R S N I E L B A L I A AV
+ MORE
Takapuna Super Store Super Store 71Takapuna Barry’s Point Road 71 Barrys Point Road Sylvia Park Shop N007 Sylvia Park ShopPlacet N007t Hamilton 7 Worley Mt Maunganui 24 Pacific Avenue Mt Maunganui 24 Pacific Napier 152 Emerson Street Avenue Hamilton 7 Worley Place Palmerston North 113 The Square Napier 15245 Emerson Streett Wellington Cuba Streett
c o m p u t e r s h a p i n g m a c h i n e s When computer shaping machines first burst into the surfboard manufacturing industry in the mid to late 90's, there was an outburst worldwide and more so here in the NZ market, one which cherished hand made products, that this revolution would destroy the surfboard as we had known it, where shapers would become redundant and the fine art of hand shaping lost forever. Mass produced boards would flood the world and the quality we had all come to expect would turn the surfboard into a throw away item. Yet 20 years on we have come to accept and realise that our early fears were simply spawned by a lack of education. These days you'd be hard pressed to find a major manufacturer who doesn't either have their own machine or access to one for their shaping needs. While shaping machines or profilers had been around since the 70's they were a far cry from the technology available today. For over 50 years our shapers, with orders up to their eye balls, paced back and forth in their blue room pushing a planer which chewed through the foam blank and settled on the floor in knee deep dust. After close to an hour per board the shaping would begin, with the shaper refining that blank by millimetres and working in his magic into the finished shape. So once profilers and machines became available at first they saved all the time chewing through foam so that a shaper who did 20 boards a week, now all of a sudden found he had 20 more hours up his sleeve for the week, where he could actually start surfing again and at the same time work on design concepts and refinement, or catch up on overdue orders and increase their business turnover. Then as the technology of machines improved, the shaper then had a constant base element he could measure performance off and began to alter certain elements in search of the ultimate board. The world began to see the shaper as a designer and realised that millimetres made all the difference, and the shaper was excused of hours of mowing foam. We caught up with three of New Zealand's most prominent shapers, three guys who have used the computer as part of their business from the early years and whom have the most experience. They shared their views on what the machine has done for their shaping and for the end product, their customer’s boards.
How has the computer shaper helped your business? Roger Hall: I spend more time designing surfboards which translates into better surfboards for my customers Our surfboards are stronger and more durable than ever before as a result of the way we have implemented this technology. Our factory is now able to organise a consistent production around this technology which means our customers don’t have to wait long to get their boards. It also means I have been able to assemble a crack team to help me build the boards. I have more time to spend working both in and on the business and my ability to design and create using these tools means I can offer surfers solutions they would never have dreamed possible. Pete Anderson: I think when I purchased my first machine 10 years ago it enabled me to keep up with production, which when I was handshaping I was unable to do. How has the computer shape helped the customer and surfer of those boards? Pete Anderson: The shaper now has a very accurate record for every surfboard shaped for every customer allowing for precise refinements to be made. Now some of my customers have got at least 10-15 boards on file, and my team many more. This is a great base to go forward from, or revisit. Tommy Dalton: It’s helped heaps as once the customer finds a board or boards that they like it is easier to re-make that magic board or use it as a platform for other style boards, ie..small wave or step-up boards.
shape by eye and feel sculpture technique. That’s when the term “magic board” was coined because every now and then there was a board that was much better than the others. The problem was how to be able to shape another one the same given the looseness of the method. These days most boards made by experienced builders would qualify as ‘magic’ because the focus is on a method to reproduce known curves. In 2015, the best way that we have to do this is by using computer shaping. Pete Anderson: Machines have definitely helped create better performing boards because you are consistently going forwards from a proven starting point. Do you feel there has been any progression in the performance of a surfboard since machines became widely used? Pete Anderson: Well I think it has allowed the better shapers in the world that were previously snowed under with production, to spend more time on innovation. This has to have a flow on effect with increased performance and a larger selection of craft to ride. Roger Hall: What I see is that machines are used in two main ways, one is as a tool to increase production, the other way is a tool to advance design. There is no doubt that the latter means significant and on-going progression in the performance of surfboards. A machine allows the shaper more time for their shaping and a stable base to make minor changes from has this helped produce consistently top performing boards? Roger Hall: Yes definitely, when I started in the 1970’s, shapers didn’t measure much at all, it was mostly a
54
Millimetres make all the difference in a surfboards performance. Does shaping via a machine enable the shaper to produce a perfect replica of a magic time and time again, or is there still a constant variable? Pete Anderson: You still have to consistently use the same method to finish-shape the board in the shaping bay; using the same blank, with the same stringer, the same glassing method, same amount of sanding. With all these variables thrown in there is always going to be a small amount of variation, only noticeable to a very few. Roger Hall: With hand shaping it is much harder to recapture an exact shape. With good computer shaping, a repeat shape comes off the machine the same as the previous shape. Then it comes down to the shapers touch in the finishing work as to whether there are any changes. That comes down to the discipline of each shaper. There are other variables beyond the shape
such as differences in foam blank densities, type of stringer, variances in the method and materials of all the other stages of manufacturing. There are a lot of factors beyond the shape that could affect the performance feel of any board. Are machine shapers around the world sharing files through particular surfers or are their shapes still unique to each shaper? Tommy Dalton: Files are unique to each shaper or brand. As I make the LOST boards in NZ I work closely with Matt Biolos so that there is performance and consistency with all Lost Boards here and all over the world. Matt has two Aku shaping machines which is the reason I purchased the same machine so that the files we share are cut exactly the same. With my number 1 team rider Richard Christie being on tour surfing all over the world, he may be in the States and damage his favourite board, then I can send the programme to Matt and the Lost factory over there can whip one out. The same applies in reverse, Matt or one of the other Lost shapers throughout the world could have made Ric a board that he liked the feel of, once home we can communicate and share the file to build into new boards we have been working on here. Pete Anderson: There are companies around the world franchising their product and by using machines they can share files which has been a great thing for them. There are also a lot of shapers out there creating a business by copying everyone else’s work. This has been made a lot easier since the advent of machines. So all in all machines are here to stay, they have been accepted as vital for the surfboard industry and while some still feel the soul of a surfboard was birthed by the hands of their shaper, if that is the nostalgic feel you are still after then there are plenty of shapers still out their mowing foam from the raw blank till the finished product. While surfing has always had that soul element to it, a feeling of oneness, where you sat and poured your heart out to your shaper, where possibly, for the first time you were honest about your surfing as you expressed what you’d like to see and expect in your board. Like a psychiatrist your shaper sat back and listened absorbing your inner feelings and then when you were finished they suggested a way forward, scribbled on the order form and then called you back in a few weeks to either watch the craft transform under the blades of the planer, or to check out the final shape sitting their in the racks before it was dispatched to the glasser. This was your baby and this was comparable to the 12 week pregnancy ultrasound scan, where you got a sneak look at the early stages of its life. Soon you’d have her under your arm and be paddling out for the first time to share many experiences together. None of that process has been completely removed. Your shaper will still sit and listen, still call you in for a sneak peak, yet instead of a few rough drawings on the back of an order form, you may be staring at a computer screen at a myriad of 3D lines and numbers. Then instead of throwing on ear muffs and getting in the shapers way as dust flies around the room into your eyes, you get to sit back, possibly on a comfy couch and watch through a window as the machine cuts your board and the shaper sips his coffee!
55
Increased width/nose area enables you to surf FD a little shorter than usual. Use a thruster setup for all round conditions or quad setup for more speed in weaker conditions. www.exitsurf.com
Simon Anderson Face Dancer - XF - $920.00
Vampirate Revolution Machine - XF - $975.00 5’4 x 20 x 2 5/8 (33 Litres) Quad fin, wide swallow tail - Modern version of a Simmons fish. Super fun wide flat board, fast and loose, amazing in little waves. It planes like a jet. www.exitsurf.com
5’8” x 19 ¾”x 2 3/8” (28.0 Litres) Channel Islands have modernized the Flyer into a shorter wider package. This new-plan shape allows for the same volume in a shorter rail line to maximise wave-count and fun. www.exitsurf.com
SURFTECH Channel Islands New Flyer - $1095.00
Chilli Rare Bird - XF - $995.00 5’8 x 19 ½ x 2 3/8 (28 Litres) Wide point a little forward in this board allows a really nice rail line that creates drive and maximum speed. For optimum size drop 4-5 inches from your standard shortboard. www.exitsurf.com
5’5”x 21 3/8”x 2 ½” (33 litres) Sometimes we just want something fun! With full rails keeping high volume in a shorter outline the Average Joe is your go to grovel board for the upcoming summer. www.exitsurf.com
SURFTECH Channel Islands Average Joe - $1095.00
6’0 x 20 x 2 3/8 (30 Litres) The Bean transfers the performance features of a standard shortboard into a more compact design that’s incredibly fast and responsive in small-to-medium size waves. An absolute first pick for summer! www.exitsurf.com
Aloha Bean - XF - $925.00
Originally designed as a groveller, The Dee Dee quickly proved itself to be an ultra reliable design for a large range of abilities and conditions. A great combination of liveliness and stability. www.eavor.co.nz
eavor dee dee - from $850.00
Performance step down. A lively small wave sled that thinks it’s an all-rounder. A sure bet regardless of conditions, the PMA will have you feeling positively positive! www.eavor.co.nz
eavor pma - from $850.00
Embracing the design elements of a bygone era. A super rider friendly feel, with vintage flair. Available short and spicy- to long and smooth. www.eavor.co.nz
eavor iguana - from $870.00
www.eavor.co.nz
www.exitsurf.com
w y v
h o
o
a
t ’ u u m
l
s r e
Since the birth of surfboard production the unit of measurement has been stuck on imperial. When the world made the switch to metric, surfboards along with Americans forgot to change with them. Therefore as surfers we have grown up in an imperial world fluent in both forms of measurement simply through the fondness of knowing our craft. While many other sports made a push and unification for a few sizes fits all type approach surfing is far more of an individualistic approach, with each participants ideal skill, physical shape, and range of motion in surfing being far too varied to try and bracket. On top of that waves are constantly changing in form, power and velocity as we ride them. Take snowboarding for example, most companies make boards within a 10cm length range and have around 15 models and all those boards sold around the world are exactly the same, yet those riding those same boards will ride completely different. So a few years ago some crazy people decided to rock our boat and suggest that surfboards should become metric, with only several models available in each brand and the rider simply got use to them, as they do on the mountain. Whoever came up with that suggestion was obviously quickly laughed off the beach and still we all know how our 6'2" or 7'6" behaves in certain waves. Could you imagine ordering a new 188? Na it just doesn't sound right does it. Out of all this came one important form of measurement where surfers could fine tune what worked best for them, and spawned from the inception of computer shapes came the ability to know and replicate the volume of a board. While surfers the world over have become familiar with their favourite lengths, widths and thicknesses, VOLUME is steadily becoming a more and more common sought after figure. VOLUME is described as "the precise measurement of the foam INSIDE your board". Volume directly translates to how much FLOTATION a board has. Board Flotation is just as critical of a measurement as any other dimension. Not enough foam and it will not perform correctly. Too much foam and it will not perform correctly. The proper amount of foam, also known as VOLUME or FLOTATION is directly related to a Surfer or Paddlers body weight and ability level. Novice surfers will use more Volume and expert surfers will always try to get away with the lowest amount of Volume that they can. Let's say you love a certain board, this board may have been developed on a machine, or have a model number so therefore the volume measurement may be readily available from the manufacturer or shaper. Perhaps this board is very old and it's your favourite has seen better days and it's time for a trade up, with most shapers having access to a machine these
days a few precise measurements taken from your board and entered into the computer you can get a pretty close volume reading and customise your new board around that number.
ride. Lighter individuals will use lower volumes than heavier surfers. Obviously, Shortboards, Funboards, Longboards and SUP boards have different parameters to obtain their optimum performance.
Let’s take another angle, you love your board and nothing else you've tried comes close, yet once winter rears its head and you have to squeeze into a 4/3 steamer, gloves, boots and a hood and you find the board no longer goes the same then that's no surprise. You just added 4-6 kilos of rubber once it becomes wet for your boards current volume to support. You love that board the way it holds a rail, the way it drives through the pit, well don't fear, by taking the same design elements and dimensions your shaper can build an extra two litres of foam into your board while preserving that same feeling you love. After all you spend half the year surfing cold water and half warm.
Recommended GF Ratios: • Advanced, extremely fit, high performance surfers: RANGE FROM 0.34gf to 0.36gf • Typical fitness with average, to above average skills: RANGE FROM 0.36gf to 0.38gf • Domesticated, lower fitness, desk jobs, and Weekend Warrior surfers: RANGE FROM 0.38gf to 0.42gf • Novice surfers, or surfers with extremely small surf, thick wetsuits or adverse conditions: RANGE FROM 0.40gf to 0.50gf (depending on age, ability and motivation) *If you’re surfing in warm water and good waves, the lower end of the scale is recommended. If you’re surfing in poor conditions, looking for help in crowded situations, or wearing thick wetsuits, lean towards the higher end of the range that you fall into.
So if you are new to the whole volume dimension or new to surfing and want to know how to get your head around all this, then a keen surfer by the name of Whitney Guild designed a system that many board manufactures the world over are using, brands such as Lost Surfboards and SuperBrand, creating a VOLUMETRIC SYSTEM using what he calls a Guild Factor or GF you can utilise along with a simple formula to indicate the proper volume for your body weight, ability level and type of board you choose to
An important step in choosing the right volume when using the Guild Factor Calculator is being honest in your ability, after all surfboards aren't cheap so why cheat yourself out of getting the best board for your needs, get your surfing mate to score your GF and don't be too hard on them when you don't like their answers, they are more honest than you!
By using the Guild Factor ratios, taking two surfers both weighing 80kg, with one being being a super fit advanced surfer let's say Maz Quinn in a wetsuit then he would score 0.36 on the GF therefore the recommended required volume for Maz would be 29 litres. Then take a total novice surfer who scores 0.50 GF, well by adjusting the sliders they would require a 40 litre board.
58
59
Modern Log glassed in 9 oz Volan with classic stringers,resin tints,pigments and inlays. Gloss Polish. 9’4 - 10’2 www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
bar fly- $1600.00
All round longboard for nose riding and surfing off the tail, perfect entry into Longboarding. 7’6 - 9’6 www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
fusion - $1200.00
Small wave grovel enhancer. Single to double concave with plenty of volume hidden away. FCSII 5 fin setup. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
paddle pop - $825.00+
Most popular fish design we have ever made. Single to double concave with vee exit. Great all round board for waves 2-4ft. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
flying kiwi - $825.00+
next generation 2 - $725.00
Performance Grom board designed for those progressing. Single to double concave, narrower template and deeper bottom curves make this a highly responsive little package. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
Excels in 2-4’ft waves, wide nose, smooth curvy outline pin tail fits in the pocket giving control and release. 5 fin FCSII setup. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
foam friends - $825.00+
next generation - $725.00 Designed for the groms. Low entry rocker for easy wave catching, moderate tail rocker. Foolish template for forgiveness. Slight hip in tail for surfing tight in the pocket. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
Designed for good waves in the 3-5ft range. Single concave with medium rocker. FCSII 5 fin setup. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
Tom thumb - $825.00+
High Performance shortboard. 2015 Model features lower rails and deeper concave between the feet for increased performance. www.morris-surfboards.co.nz
Generation Why - $825.00+
www.morris-surfboards.co.nz | mob 021 994 916
Neo Glass FCSII upgrade + $95
5’6 x 18 1/4 x 2 3/16 Vol 24.25 L
5’7 x 18 1/2 x 2 1/4 Vol 25.35 L
5’8 x 18 3/4 x 2 3/8 Vol 27.47 L
5’9 x 19 x 2 3/8 Vol 28.25 L
5’10 x 19 1/4 x 2 7/16 Vol 29.45 L
28/5 Anvil Road, Silverdale 61
Featured; 5’9” x 19 ½” x 2 3/8” @ 29.5 ltrs. Our most popular small wave performance board now comes with hips. This creates a straighter rail outline generating greater speed down the line whilst retaining the ability to turn on a dime. Very popular. www.eyeshapes.co.nz
the “rev-up plus” - $795.00 with fins or $745.00 without
Featured; 5’4” x 20 3/8” x 2 3/8” @ 30 ltrs. Our most popular fish design has evolved to allow it to be ridden in a greater range of waves. The new version comes a little narrower than the original and has a pulled in tail with a mini swallow. Still flat and fast. www.eyeshapes.co.nz
the “new kumera” - $795.00 with fins or $745.00 without
Featured: 5’6” x 22” x 2 11/16” @ 39 ltrs. Time to throw out the mal. Theses boards will catch even the smallest of waves with ease. We’ve packed a lot of board into a small package with features to keep it fast and fun. Ideal for those lazy summer daze. www.eyeshapes.co.nz
the “small Daze” - $795.00 with fins or $745.00 without
Anderson Surfboards Andy Jordan Surfboards Backdoor Surf Stores Beach Street black boards Black Jacks Byrning Spears Surfboards CSA Surfboards curve surf Eavor Surfboards Evolve Surf n Skate andersonsurfboards.co.nz jordansurfshapes.co.nz backdoor.co.nz 06-758 0400 blackboards.co.nz 07-866 5800 byrningspears.com csasurfboards.co.nz curvesurf.co.nz eavor.co.nz 07 5755728 Exit Surf Eye shapes Surfboards firewire surfboards Hughes Surfboards hydro Jdub Surfboards mike lewin surfboards Morris Surfboards Raglan Kopua Holiday Park Raglan Surf co. Raglan Surf emporium Real Surf Rusty Surfboards Seasons Cheapskates Sequence Surf Shop STD / Lost Surfboards Superbrand Surfboards Ultimate Surf n skate Vertigo Whangamata Surf
THE SPARTAN maintains drive and speed through flatter sections. The single concave throughout adds to the speed and the subtle hip in the tail makes it easy to redirect. 5’ 8” – 6’ 2” www.firewiresurfboards.com
spartan - $1149.00
THE CORNICE combines Firewire’s board building expertise with design collaborator Dan Mann and Eduardo Cenzano from Trinity Technologies interpretation of an effective side-cut design for surfing. 5’ 1” – 6’ 7” www.firewiresurfboards.com
Cornice - $1145.00
EVO (Evolution) is a new take on the MPH design,utilizing softer features and more outline curve to encourage a smoother transitions and a more ‘in the pocket’ line of attack. 4’10” – 6’ 0” www.firewiresurfboards.com
Shaper, Tommy Dalton | p: 0272257708 | e: stdsurfboards@hotmail.com | w: theboardroomnz.com
evo - $1050.00
Year after year this model continues to be Ricardo Christies go to board and is the board he has been riding for most of his WSL events this year. An awesome board made in a range of sizes and tail shapes to suit different conditions. Shaper, Tommy Dalton | p: 0272257708 | e: stdsurfboards@hotmail.com | w: theboardroomnz.com
the lost driver - $
My most popular board by far. From the average everyday surfer to the travelling pro, most who ride this board are stoked. A great all round hybrid design for just about any type of surfer. Shaper, Tommy Dalton | p: 0272257708 | e: stdsurfboards@hotmail.com | w: theboardroomnz.com
LOST V3 rocket - $
The wide outline makes for easy wave catching and down the line glide, stability and speed. Makes surfing small to average waves super fun. Ride this board super short. Shaper, Tommy Dalton | p: 0272257708 | e: stdsurfboards@hotmail.com | w: theboardroomnz.com
LOST PUDDLE JUMPER - $
Mob 021360768 | www.jdubsurfboards.nz | FB. Jdub Surfboards NZ. The Tripper a new step-up model in the Jdub range, great travelling board, it has wide point forward of half way, fairly pulled in mid and tail area. The board is designed for point, reef and heavy beach break conditions, best suited to rounded pin, round tail or swallow tails. 6’3”x 193/8’ x27/16” 31.39ltrs www.jdubsurfboards.nz
the tripper - $850.00 fins included.
This board is a modern spin on a classic fish, low rocker, deep double concaves, vee through the bottom, five fin plugs makes this board more versatile, boxy rails, good for all surfing skill levels. 5’10’x201/2’x25/8” 34.56ltrs www.jdubsurfboards.nz
Modern retro fish - $890.00 fins included.
The Mutant model is a hybrid short board and has become our most popular. Concave bottom with the deepest point between the fins, vee off the tail, mid low box rails, the board pictured is eps/epoxy construction and has carbon rods instead of a stringer. 6’0”x191/2”x23/8” 29.45ltrs www.jdubsurfboards.nz
Mutant EPS - $950.00-$1100.00 fins included.
This is our modernised performance board. It works from beachies to points! Single double concave with vee off the tail tip makes it quick to turn. It’s 1” shorter than your standard high performance board with a wider nose and a slightly fuller rail. Popular dimensions range from 5’4” – 7’4”. www.csasurfboards.com
squid - $860.00 - $950.00
This is a great board whether you surf well or are just learning to ride shortboards. Unreal in small surf and still holds when it’s a bit bigger. It’s wide, thick and fast through fat sections. Bottom is single concave into vee off the back fin. Popular dimensions range from 5’4” – 7’2”. www.csasurfboards.com
freesurf - $860.00 - $950.00
This board combines some of the best attributes of performance and retro boards. Easy to get into loads of waves, pivots nicely off the bottom turn and is good for open face carves. Bottom is a mellow single double concave into vee off the back fin. Popular dimensions range from 5’0” – 6’10”. www.csasurfboards.com
illusion - $860.00 - $910.00
www.csasurfboards.com | cain@csasurfboards.com | (06) 7512123 / 027 315 4557
www.firewiresurfboards.com
www.eyeshapes.co.nz | mark@eyeshapes.co.nz | p: 021 2082093
exitsurf.com eyeshapes.co.nz firewiresurfboards.com raglansurf.com hydrosurf.co.nz Jdubsurfboardsonfacebook mikelewinsurfboards@facebook morris-surfboards.com raglanholidaypark.co.nz raglansurf.com 07 282 0018 realsurf.co.nz rusty.com seasonssurfboards.co.nz sequence.co.nz surfboards.net.nz superbranded.com ultimatesurfnskate.co.nz vertigosurf.com 07-865 8252
f
i
n
s
t h e l o n g a n d s h o r t o f i t Never before in the history of surfing have we had so much choice when it comes to which fins we ride, so which fin is right for you? The answer isn't simple! When it comes to the performance of fins there is no wrong or right. There are so many variables in the sport of surfing including the constant changing surface we ride, the biomechanics of each individual surfer and then their very own interpretation or style of surfing that they want to stamp on the waves they ride. Therefore what could be a complete dog of a fin for one surfer, that same fin for another surfer of similar skill, height and weight may find that fin a magic!
So where do we start? Let’s take a look at the history of the fin and how it got to the current popular fin shape: Back when surfboards were constructed of wooden planks or hollow ply chambers and everyone lined up on a wave and rode that whitewater directly toward true shore in a straight line, surfers caught on to this green part of a wave that peeled off, yet couldn’t manage to hold a line to get along the face. Some skilled surfers figured that if they dragged their foot it acted like a rudder of a boat and they were able to steer, yet this took some skill and soon it became easier to fix a keel shaped piece of wood to the board. As surfboard construction moved into the fibreglass era this soon became relatively easy and fins were constructed of fibreglass. Early surfers looked to the evolution of marine life for inspiration figuring out that most fish which swam fast had fins and use these fins to harness and create certain powers. Early fins were developed around the shape of the dolphins dorsal fin, and then with a more narrower tip which flexed based of the Blue fin Tuna. Early pioneers figured why try and reinvent what Mother Nature had created over millions of years of evolution. So the shape of the fin we have all grown up with was born, foiled on the leading and trailing edges. As technology developed surfboard designers borrowed the same principles of flight that the aircraft engineers had developed, learning how flats and foiled edges and surface area worked together to create lift and drive. How Many Fins? As the surfboard design evolution transformed so did the amount of fins we put on boards. The first design, the Single Fin provided speed to burn down the line yet required moving to the curves of the wave and did not like abrupt direction changes. Then came the Twin Fin which was popularised by 4x World Champion Mark Richards in the late 70’s till early 80’s, MR blew minds with his quick directional changes and speed down the line which the twinnies were renowned for. In 1981 Simon Anderson, one of the biggest surfers on the world tour had been working on a way to link the dead spot the twin fins had when changing from one rail to the other and came up with three equal sized fins and on winning the famous Bells Beach comp that year the face of fins was changed
forever and still till this day the thruster is the industry standard. Then surfers went on a fin spree adding as many fins as they could, going as far as seven fin set-ups before scaling back to the thruster and four fin quad set-ups, which has made a popular comeback in recent years.
•
Fin Design Aspects: The size, area, curve, foils and flex of a fin all provide different feels to the performance of a board. While there is no wrong or right fin, generally shorter stockier more powerful surfers that surf with a low centre of gravity and through their hips will perform best on a stiffer fin with a wider base so they are not over powering their fins, skipping out or losing drive. Whereas a more lanky taller surfer whose biomechanics lend to longer arcs and who may surf through their shoulders and torso will like the feel of narrower more raked back flexy fins which will add a spring to their turns. Most fins on the market are classified by the following characteristics; Base, Depth, Area, Sweep and Foil. BASE = the length between the leading and trailing edge where the fin meets the board. Base is primarily linked to drive. Fins with a longer base will offer substantially more drive and acceleration. DEPTH = the distance the fin penetrates into the water. Depth directly relates to hold. The greater the depth the more hold, the shorter the depth the more a board will slide and release. AREA = the total surface area of the fin. SWEEP/RAKE = the angle measuring how far the outline of the fin is curved backwards; also referred to as rake. Sweep has a direct influence on pivot. Fins with more sweep produce a longer turning arc, less sweep offers a tighter turning arc. FOIL: Refers to the shape and geometry of the inside and outside faces of the fin. Foils directly affect the flow of water over the surface of the fin. Different foils create variations in water flow and have a direct link to the overall performance of the fin and the board. • FLAT FOIL: A flat inside face combined with a convex outside face. The traditional flat sided foil offers an even combination of drive, pivot and hold and provides a very consistent, reliable feel over a wide variety of conditions.
•
•
INSIDE FOIL: A sophisticated hydrodynamic foil consisting of a convex outside face, a rounded leading edge and a concaved inside face. Inside foil increases the efficiency of water flow over the surface of the fin adding lift and reducing drag. The result is a fin with more options through increased hold and speed. 50/50 FOIL: A symmetrical foil used on all centre fins where both sides are convex. Even water flow on both sides creates stability and control. 70/30 or 80/20 FOIL: Combines the performance of a centre and side fin offering increased speed, smooth rail-to-rail transitions and a consistent feel in a variety of conditions. (Ideal for all board types and rear fin placements on quads)
What Fins Should I Ride? Right now as a surfer you are spoiled for choice, never before has there been such a choice of fins. The first option is the Glass on fin and many surfers believe the glassed in solid base with its glassed in curves tapered into the boards bottom surface provide the best feel, yet without scientific evidence, this is simply a matter of choice. Then we have Removable Fin Systems which have now been around for some time, the two most popular with the largest range of fins and retail backup support are Future Fins and FCS. Both these manufacturers provide fins made from plastic to fibreglass to carbon fibre and even alloy specialised fins. These all have their own feel and also price tag. The beauty of a removable fin system is protection while travelling and also the ability to fine tune a board, in the past surfers felt their boards were magic yet the fins just weren’t right so they had to grind them out and re-glass a set, a huge job, which now only takes a few minutes. Both these manufacturers have hundreds of different fin models to choose from, a good place to start is to check out what some of your favourite surfers are riding, yes you may not surf as good as them but you may have a similar body shape to let’s say, Mick Fanning or Jordy Smith who both have their own fin models. More than likely there’s a biomechanical reason why they surf that fin and it could work for you as well.
8.9.10 january 2016