board guide
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
44
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.
e v o l u t i o n
Jackman Way AllianceLocated: Takapuna, Auckland.Era: 1969-70Dimensions: 6’5” x 20 1/4” Single fin, square tail.Shaper: Peter Way or Dave JackmanBackground: Pioneering board makers Peter Way and Dave Jackman joined forces and at their peak were making 30-40 boards a week.
Surfboards GisborneLocated: GisborneEra: 1969-74Dimensions: 6’8” x 19 1/4” Single fin.Shaper: Bob RasbyBackground: Surfboards Gisborne was launched upon the departure of Bob Davies from Gisborne, with Gary Lidgard, Benny Hutchings and Bill Carson manning the tools.
Atlas WoodsLocated: Customs St, Auckland.Era: 1963-66Dimensions: 9'6" x 21" single skegShaper: Along with Dunlop Surfboards, Atlas Woods boards were two of the early mass pro-duced boards. And the two brands dominated the market until custom board manufacturers began to surface.
Quane SurfboardsLocated: ChristchurchEra: 1961-67Dimensions: 9’ x 20 1/2” single skegShaper: Dennis Quane. Background: One of the first manufactur-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 ModelLocated: GisborneEra:1965-67Dimensions: 8’5” x 23 3/4” Single fin, stringer-less as popularised by 1963 World Champion Midget Farrelly.Shaper: Bob DaviesBackground: Bob’s designs were influential in bringing down the length and other manufactur-ers followed suit, with teenage sensation Alan Byrne a team rider Bob had the country watch-ing his every move. Other manufacturers of this era- Del Surfboards, Jackman Way, Frank Wilkin, Ted Davidson, Nev Hines.
Bob Davies SurfboardsLocated: Mt Maunganui Era:1967-70Dimensions: 7’8” x 20” S-deck, single fin. Stringer-less board.Shaper: Bob DaviesBackground: Having moved to Mt Maunganui and also opening smaller factories in Auckland, Waihi, Whanga-mata. 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.
o f n z b oa r d sGaruda Surf DesignsLocated: WhangamataEra: 1973-75Dimensions: 6’0 ” x 21” Single finShaper: Bob Davies factory shaper un-known.Background: Possibly one of the first boards commissioned for a retail store Garuda based in Whangamata, an example of how length were experimentally shortened dramatically over a short period.
Grey Seal SurfboardsLocated: Mt MaunganuiEra: 1974-76Dimensions: 7’10” x 19 1/2” Single fin double hip pintail.Shaper: Alan Byrne Background: Grey Seal was launched by Tony 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.
Wilson Surfboards Located: RaglanEra: 1975-79Dimensions: 6’7” x 191/2” Single fin, Stinger hip.Shaper: Don WilsonBackground: Influenced by the Hawaiian 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 SurfboardsLocated: Newmarket, AucklandEra: 1979-82Dimensions: 5’8” x 20 1/2” single flyer swallow tail. Twin fin.Shaper: Brian SmithBackground: The short and wide twin fin gifted surfers an injection of speed and was popu-larised by 4x World Champion Mark Rich-ards, with all NZ manufacturers implementing this design.
Sunshine SurfboardsLocated: Mt MaunganuiEra: 1980-84Dimensions: 5’6” x 19 3/4” Slight hip, swallow tail, three fin thruster.Shaper: Mike MurdenBackground: In 1981 Australian Simon Ander-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 SurfboardsLocated: WhangamataEra: 1982-85Dimensions: 5’10” x 20” Quad fin, Stinger to double flyer, swallow tail.Shaper: B Bob DaviesBackground: An era which saw board designs go from the single fin right through to 5 and 7 fins. The quad was popular and has made a modern day comeback.
Ngaru Toa SurfboardsLocated: GisborneEra: 1990-94Dimensions: 6’2” x 18 1/4” Single flyer, swal-low tail, thrusterShaper: Ralph BlakeBackground: The ultra thin heavily curved 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.
Atlas Woods- Waynes Parkes Concept Model.Located: Glenfied, AucklandEra:1966-70Dimensions: 6’2” x 20” single fin, diamond tail.Shaper: Wayne ParkesBackground: 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.
46 47
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.
s h a p i n g t h ef u t u r e
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 Surf-
boards, it’s a mad buzz taking finished boards out to the show room and getting to
see the stoked customers!
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
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 af-
fect their surfing, has shaping boards improved
your surfing or simply your understanding of de-
sign elements has that made you more aware of
what and how you are surfing? Yeah I think mak-
ing 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 expla-
nations he gives etc..
Has shaping your own boards given you a whole
new level of respect toward the other estab-
lished NZ Shapers? Definitely! I’ve got massive re-
spect 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 finish-
ing is just so different. Also this guy called Jake Bowrey who glasses for Thomas
Bexon is such a perfectionist and super inspirational for me.
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 hope-
fully 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 pos-
sible. 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.
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
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 bet-
ter 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.
toM pilKinton: all things Common surfboards
harrY BergMan: dirty harry surfboards
JorDan griffin: soft Carpet surfboards
48
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 al-
ways 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 en-
vironment. But I also think with the design side, there is a consid-
erable 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 move-
ment 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 eas-
ier ,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
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.
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 surf-
boards 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 perfect-
ing 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 in-
fluenced 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.
BlaKe haven: haven surfboardsAge: 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.
What are your thoughts on the future of shaping? I think shaping ma-
chines 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 ele-
ments 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.
oliver le noel: kook surfboards
supe
rbra
nd a
nsw
er -
from
$79
9.00
Whe
n yo
u do
n’t k
now
how
the
wav
es w
ill b
e or
wha
t boa
rd to
ride
, we
have
an
Answ
er:
• Sl
ight
ly w
ider
out
line
for s
low
er w
aves
but
with
a s
tand
ard
wid
th ta
il fo
r man
euve
rabi
lity
• H
igh
perf
orm
ance
rock
er fo
r tig
ht p
ocke
t sur
fing
• Si
ngle
to
ligh
t dou
ble
conc
ave
betw
een
the
fins
• Tr
i fin
• Sq
uash
tail
• R
ide
1-2”
sho
rter
an
d ¼
” – ½
” wid
er th
an a
nor
mal
sho
rtbo
ard
• Av
aila
ble
in c
usto
m d
imen
sion
s an
d gr
om s
izes
5’0
(16.
5L) t
o 6’
6 (3
4.3L
) w
ww
.sup
erbr
ande
d.co
m
supe
rbra
nd pi
gdog
- fr
om $
899.
00Th
e Pi
gDog
is th
e ul
timat
e tr
avel
boa
rd.
• W
ide
nose
and
cen
ter w
ith a
pul
led
in ta
il •
Low
to m
id ro
cker
• S
ingl
e to
do
uble
con
cave
• 5
Plu
g Se
tup
for t
ri/qu
ad O
ptio
n •
Pul
led
in ro
unde
d pi
n •
Rid
e +
or –
2” f
rom
your
sho
rtbo
ard
and
at a
slig
htly
hig
her v
olum
e •
Also
ava
ilabl
e as
st
ep-u
ps a
nd g
uns
up to
10’
by c
usto
m o
rder
• A
vaila
ble
in c
usto
m d
imen
sion
s/sp
ecs
5’4
(22.
5L) –
6’4
(37.
3L)
ww
w.s
uper
bran
ded.
com
supe
rbra
nd m
ad c
at -
from
$79
9.00
Clay
Mar
zo is
pro
babl
y the
mad
dest
cat
we
know
.•
Wid
er fo
rwar
d ou
tline
, pul
led
in vi
a hi
p in
the
tail
• H
igh
Perf
orm
ance
rock
er •
Si
ngle
to p
rono
unce
d do
uble
con
cave
• T
ri Fi
n | R
ound
ed S
quar
e Ta
il •
Rid
e in
your
fa
vorit
e sh
ortb
oard
dim
s or
as
a st
ep-u
p •
Avai
labl
e in
cus
tom
dim
ensi
ons/
spec
s 5’
8 (2
3.8L
) – 6
’4 (3
4.8L
) w
ww
.sup
erbr
ande
d.co
m
supe
rbra
nd Si
ames
e Pal
m V
iper
(SPV
) - fr
om $
799.
00Co
ncer
ned
abou
t hav
ing
too
man
y sha
pes
to ri
de—
som
e fo
r airs
, som
e fo
r tur
ns—
Dio
n Ag
ius
soug
ht a
sim
ple
solu
tion,
the
SPV.
• C
urvy
out
line
with
wid
er c
ente
r and
su
btly
pul
led
in n
ose
and
tail
• M
ediu
m ro
cker
with
ext
ra fl
ip o
ff th
e ta
il •
Sing
le to
do
uble
con
cave
with
slig
ht V
off
the
tail
• Tr
i fin
• R
ide
3-4
inch
es s
hort
er a
nd a
t the
sa
me
volu
me
as u
sual
boa
rd •
Squ
ash
tail
• Av
aila
ble
in c
usto
m d
imen
sion
s/sp
ecs
5’6
(22.
7L) –
6’0
(31.
0L)
ww
w.s
uper
bran
ded.
com
supe
rbra
nd TO
Y - f
rom
$79
9.00
• Th
e M
ost r
e-or
dere
d bo
ard
in o
r ran
ge!
Wid
er, f
ulle
r out
line
than
a n
orm
al s
hort
boar
d •
Low
rock
er th
roug
hout
• S
ingl
e to
do
uble
con
cave
• T
ri fin
or fi
ve fi
n bo
x se
tup
• Sq
uash
, sw
allo
w ta
il, o
r rou
nd ta
il •
Rid
e 1-
3 in
ches
sho
rter
and
hal
f-in
ch w
ider
than
a n
orm
al s
hort
boar
d •
Avai
labl
e in
cu
stom
dim
ensi
ons
and
grom
siz
es 5
’8 (2
3.7L
) – 6
’4 (3
4.6L
)w
ww
.sup
erbr
ande
d.co
m
supe
rbra
nd u
nit -
from
$89
9.00
Bui
lt fo
r spe
ed a
nd a
gilit
y, th
e U
nit i
s a
smal
l wav
e as
saul
t wea
pon.
•
Wid
e, c
urvy
out
line
• Lo
w c
ontin
uous
rock
er •
Sin
gle
to d
oubl
e co
ncav
e •
5 pl
ug
Tri/Q
uad
optio
n fin
set
up
• R
ide
4-6”
sho
rter
than
your
sta
ndar
d sh
ortb
oard
and
at
or a
roun
d yo
ur o
ptim
al vo
lum
e •
Avai
labl
e in
cus
tom
dim
ensi
ons/
spec
s 5’
0 (2
1.4L
) –
6’0
(36.
4L)
ww
w.s
uper
bran
ded.
com
Fish
Seri
es -
$11
25.0
06’
2”, 2
0, 2
1/2
. Sin
gle
to d
oubl
e co
ncav
e, fl
attis
h ro
cker
, knu
ckle
d fis
h ta
il,
trip
le p
erfo
rate
d st
ringe
rs, h
ollo
w K
evla
r hon
eyco
mb
core
, hi t
ech
prep
reg
carb
on fi
bre
twill
/ in
egra
com
posi
te c
onst
ruct
ion.
The
futu
re o
f sur
fing.
w
ww
.bla
ckbo
ards
.co.
nz
Perf
orm
ance
Seri
es -
$10
00.0
06’
2”, 1
8 ¼
, 2 ¼
. Sin
gle
to d
oubl
e co
ncav
e, m
ediu
m ro
cker
, squ
ash
tail.
Trip
le p
erfo
-ra
ted
strin
gers
, hol
low
Kev
lar h
oney
com
b co
re, h
i tec
h pr
epre
g ca
rbon
fibr
e tw
ill /
ineg
ra c
ompo
site
con
stru
ctio
n. D
esig
ned
for p
ower
and
spe
ed.
ww
w.b
lack
boar
ds.c
o.nz
www.blackboards.co.nz
www.superbranded.com | [email protected] | +61 7 5536 4681
supe
rbra
nd va
pors
2 -
from
$79
9.00
Thou
gh s
hort
er a
nd w
ider
than
you
mig
ht b
e us
ed to
, don
’t be
fool
ed: t
he V
apor
s is
on
e of
our
mos
t ver
satil
e bo
ards
and
can
be
ridde
n ju
st a
bout
eve
ry d
ay, f
rom
tiny
w
aves
to h
ead-
high
. It’s
a fa
vour
ite o
f Ry C
raik
e, C
lay M
arzo
, and
the
rest
of t
he te
am
and
it’s
one
of o
ur m
ost d
eman
ded
boar
ds a
t sho
ps w
orld
wid
e.
ww
w.s
uper
bran
ded.
com
RUST
Y si
sta-
brot
ha- $
929.
00-$
999.
00N
oa D
eane
’s la
test
the
‘Sis
ta B
roth
a” is
dev
elop
ed fr
om h
is fr
ee-s
urfin
g tr
avel
s.
This
per
form
ance
sho
rtbo
ard
exce
ls in
con
ditio
ns fr
om b
each
bre
aks
to p
oint
br
eaks
. The
Sis
ta B
roth
a fe
atur
es a
sin
gle
conc
ave,
mod
erat
e en
try r
ocke
r and
a
low
tail
rock
er w
ith a
fulle
r rai
l mak
ing
this
a li
vely
boa
rd th
at a
llow
s N
oa to
exe
cute
hi
s ar
sena
l of m
aneo
uver
s w
ithou
t thi
nkin
g tw
ice…
Sist
a B
roth
a fro
m N
oa D
eane
. w
ww
.rus
ty.c
om
RUST
Y bl
ackb
ird
- $92
9.00
Dev
elop
ed fo
r the
big
ger d
ays
chas
ing
dow
n pe
aks
in o
pen
wat
ers
and
battl
ing
curr
ents
, it i
s th
e pe
rfec
t wav
e-ha
wki
ng w
eapo
n. It
feat
ures
add
ed vo
lum
e, a
n ar
ea-f
orw
ard
outli
ne, l
ower
ent
ry ro
cker
and
a li
ght v
ee in
the
nose
, allo
win
g it
to
padd
le in
to a
nyth
ing,
eve
n in
the
toug
hest
of s
urf c
ondi
tions
. With
a s
light
sin
gle
to
doub
le c
onca
ve b
otto
m ru
nnin
g th
roug
h th
e fin
s an
d ro
unde
d pi
ntai
l, th
e B
lack
-bi
rd d
elive
rs s
moo
th tr
ansi
tions
and
fast
, cle
an li
nes.
w
ww
.rus
ty.c
om
RUST
Y gr
im r
ippe
r - $
929.
00Ev
er ri
dden
your
Mag
ic D
oor a
nd th
ough
t “ge
ez if
the
tail
was
a li
ttle
tight
er w
onde
r w
hat i
t wou
ld g
o lik
e?” W
ell t
hat’s
exa
ctly
wha
t the
Grim
Rip
per i
s!! T
he fr
ont h
alf i
s Th
e M
agic
Doo
r out
line,
rock
er a
nd ra
ils a
nd th
e ba
ck h
alf h
as b
een
mod
ified
with
m
ore
tail
flip,
thin
ned
out f
oils
and
a d
oubl
e fly
ered
roun
ded
squa
re p
od e
nabl
ing
you
to tu
rn h
arde
r and
sha
rper
in th
e av
erag
e su
rf. T
he p
lans
hape
has
bee
n ge
ared
mor
e to
war
ds a
hig
h pe
rfor
man
ce g
rove
ller a
nd yo
u ca
n rid
e it
2-4
inch
es s
hort
er th
an
mos
t. w
ww
.rus
ty.c
om
RUST
Y m
agic
doo
r - $
929.
00It’
s ba
sica
lly a
squ
ashe
d do
wn
shor
t boa
rd w
ith a
flat
ter r
ocke
r and
a s
light
dou
ble
in-
side
a d
eep
sing
le s
tarin
g at
the
entr
y givi
ng yo
u in
stan
t hig
h sp
eed
to g
et yo
u m
ovin
g th
roug
h th
e sm
all w
aves
. It h
as a
fulle
r Foi
l thr
ough
the
ches
t and
tail
so yo
u w
ont b
og
as yo
u ca
n rid
e th
e M
agic
Doo
r 3-5
inch
es s
hort
er a
nd m
ost o
f all
enjo
y the
ben
efits
of
wha
t will
feel
like
your
nor
mal
sho
rt b
oard
. . w
ww
.rus
ty.c
om
RUST
Y m
agic
thum
b - $
929.
00Th
e M
agic
Thu
mb
is a
car
bon
copy
of o
ur m
ost s
ucce
ssfu
l mod
el th
e m
agic
doo
r, bu
t w
ith a
sm
ooth
roun
d ta
il. T
he s
light
hip
in th
e ta
il as
sist
s in
turn
s an
d ta
kes
out t
hat
full
squa
re ta
il lo
ok g
iving
you
a sm
ooth
er ra
il to
rail
tran
sitio
n. A
ll de
sign
asp
ects
....
Roc
kers
, con
cave
s an
d ra
ils a
re a
ll th
e sa
me
as th
e M
agic
Doo
r. w
ww
.rus
ty.c
om
RUST
Y ro
oste
r - $
999.
00Th
e R
oost
er c
ame
abou
t bec
ause
of a
“wha
t if “
conv
ersa
tion
with
som
e of
the
team
. It
was
loos
ely b
ased
on
the
Hus
tler.
We
chan
ged
the
outli
ne, r
ocke
r and
vent
uri
confi
gura
tion,
so
that
the
boar
d w
ould
fit b
ette
r in
roun
der w
aves
but
stil
l ret
ain
its
perf
orm
ance
in e
very
day s
urf.
It fe
atur
es a
full
outli
ne, fl
at ro
cker
and
a V
entu
ri bo
t-to
m w
hich
will
give
it s
peed
and
man
oeuv
rabi
lity i
n sm
all t
o m
ediu
m w
aves
. w
ww
.rus
ty.c
om
love
boa
t - $
850.
006
‘ 4” x
20
½ x
13
x 15
½ x
2 5
/8 x
36
lt H
igh
volu
me
shor
t boa
rd p
erfo
rman
ce fo
r the
big
ger a
nd o
r old
er g
uys
and
girl
s w
ho w
ant v
olum
e bu
t the
feel
of p
erfo
rman
ce. F
ull s
ort r
ails
dee
p do
uble
co
ncav
e to
get
it o
n ra
il. B
ring
the
fun
and
love
to th
e be
ach.
ww
w.s
easo
nsur
fboa
rds.
co.n
z
cust
om -
$850
.00
5 ‘ 1
1” x
19
x 13
x 1
4 ¾
x 2
3/8
Si
ngle
thru
dou
ble
conc
ave
bala
nced
all
roun
d ro
cker
for v
arie
ty o
f wav
es a
nd c
ondi
-tio
ns m
ediu
m s
oft f
orgi
ving
rails
. A b
oard
for a
ll oc
casi
ons.
ww
w.s
easo
nsur
fboa
rds.
co.n
z
Farr
out p
erfo
rman
ce -
$850
.00
5 ‘8
” x 1
8 ½
x 2
3/1
6 x
23 lt
Refi
ned
low
rails
for s
ensi
tive
quic
k re
spon
se. V
olum
e co
ncen
trat
ed u
nder
feet
for
high
per
form
ance
tigh
t arc
s an
d ro
tatio
ns. T
wea
ked
rock
er w
ith s
ingl
e th
ru d
oubl
e co
ncav
e.
ww
w.s
easo
nsur
fboa
rds.
co.n
z
Seasons Surfboards | www.seasonsurfboards.co.nz | p: 021732766
www.rusty.com
NO
A D
EAN
E /
SURF
BOA
RD S
ISTA
BRO
THA
NZ’S MOST
COMPREHENSIVE
RANGE OF SURFBOARDS
AVAILABLE IN STORE & ONLINE
Mt Maunganui 24 Pacific AvenueHamilton 7 Worley PlaceNapier 152 Emerson Street
Takapuna Super Store 71 Barrys Point RoadSylvia Park Shop N007
+ MORE
Takapuna Super Store71 Barry’s Point RoadSylvia Park Shop N007Hamilton 7 Worley Placet t
Mt Maunganui 24 Pacific AvenueNapier 152 Emerson StreetPalmerston North 113 The SquareWellington 45 Cuba Streett t
NZSM 164 final.indd 49 6/23/2015 8:57:07 AM
JS M
onst
a 3
- $92
5.00
5’9
– 6’
4 Th
e M
onst
a 3
is th
e m
ost a
ll ro
und
high
per
form
ance
boa
rd in
the
JS q
uive
r. Th
e M
onst
a w
as c
redi
ted
as th
e 20
13 s
urfb
oard
of t
he ye
ar a
t the
Aus
t Sur
f Ret
aile
rs
Awar
ds &
pla
yed
a m
ajor
par
t in
Park
os W
CT vi
ctor
y. It
slot
s in
the
huge
gap
foun
d be
twee
n pe
rfec
tion
& a
bsol
ute
slop
. Upd
ated
in e
arly
201
5, th
e M
3 is
bui
lt of
f the
bo
ards
that
Joe
l, D
usty
, Ace
, Jul
ian
all r
ode
thro
ugho
ut 2
014
seas
on. N
ow a
vaila
ble
in
roun
d ta
il w
ith 5
plu
g co
nfigu
ratio
n. w
ww
.bac
kdoo
r.co.
nz
JS B
lak
Box
2- $
995.
005’
8 –
6’4
The
BB
2 fro
m J
S In
dust
ries
has
rece
ived
outs
tand
ing
revie
ws
from
our
cu
stom
ers
and
is o
ne o
f Bac
kdoo
r’s b
est s
ellin
g JS
mod
els.
Bor
n fro
m th
e or
igin
al
Bla
k B
ox, i
t has
bee
n up
date
d to
follo
w J
S’s
late
st d
esig
n qu
aliti
es w
ith s
light
ly
narr
owed
nos
e, lo
wer
rail
& re
mov
ed d
oubl
e co
ncav
e. In
all,
the
BB
2 ha
s ex
pand
ed
its ra
nge
of w
ave
type
s w
ithou
t com
prom
isin
g pe
rfor
man
ce in
the
smal
l stu
ff.
ww
w.b
ackd
oor.c
o.nz
Chan
nel I
slan
ds T
he N
ew Fl
yer
- $94
5.00
5’8
– 6’
2 Th
e N
ew F
lyer
was
vote
d SI
MA
(Sur
f Ind
ustr
y Man
ufac
ture
rs A
ssn)
201
3 oa
rd o
f the
Year
. In
199
9, A
l Mer
rick
desi
gned
the
Flye
r, re
volu
tioni
zing
hig
h pe
rfor
-m
ance
sur
fing
in s
mal
l wav
es. F
or 2
013
CI h
as m
oder
nize
d th
e Fl
yer i
nto
a sh
orte
r an
d w
ider
pac
kage
. Des
igne
d fo
r kne
e w
aist
to h
ead
high
and
it e
xcel
s in
tigh
t or
tric
ky c
ondi
tions
. w
ww
.bac
kdoo
r.co.
nz
JCha
nnel
Isla
nds P
od M
od -
$995
.00
In 2
000
the
orig
inal
Pod
rapi
dly b
ecam
e a
glob
al fa
vour
ite, a
llow
ing
surf
ers
to d
rop
six
inch
es o
ff th
eir s
hort
boar
ds a
nd re
volu
tioni
ze p
untin
g. T
he P
od M
od d
esig
n is
a
heav
ily m
odifi
ed P
od, d
esig
ned
to b
e rid
den
even
sho
rter
and
wid
er th
an th
e or
igin
al,
cate
ring
to t
he s
urfe
r tha
t wan
ts a
littl
e m
ore
volu
me
forw
ard
to c
atch
wav
es b
ut
does
n’t w
ant t
o sa
crifi
ce p
erfo
rman
ce.
ww
w.b
ackd
oor.c
o.nz
Chan
nel I
slan
ds A
vera
ge Jo
e - $
995.
00O
ver t
he la
st s
ix ye
ars
and
hund
reds
of s
tops
on
our d
emo
tour
, CI h
ave
lear
ned
a fe
w
thin
gs. O
ne o
f tho
se is
that
sur
fers
som
etim
es w
ant s
omet
hing
sim
ple,
fun,
and
eas
y to
ride
. The
Joe
can
be
surf
ed o
ff th
e ra
il or
tail
that
has
Al’s
sig
natu
re h
ip ta
il te
mpl
ate
to k
eep
drive
. Ful
l rai
ls k
eep
high
volu
me
in a
sho
rt o
utlin
e. In
crea
se w
ave
coun
t, m
ake
mor
e s
ectio
ns. T
he a
vera
ge J
oe is
gea
red
tow
ards
the
thin
gs th
at m
akes
sur
f-in
g fu
n. w
ww
.bac
kdoo
r.co.
nz
Chan
nel I
slan
ds R
ook
15 -
$975
.00
Firs
t see
n on
the
WCT
tour
in 2
010,
the
Roo
kie
has
been
redi
scov
ered
by o
ur e
ntire
CT
team
thi
s ye
ar; S
eaba
ss, K
elly
, Adr
iano
, Lak
ey, B
ianc
a, S
age
and
Kai a
ll ha
ve w
on
heat
s on
the
new
Roo
k 15
. It h
as b
een
a Te
am fa
vour
ite. R
idde
n sh
orte
r and
wid
er
than
the
orig
inal
, the
Roo
k 15
is th
e ul
timat
e co
ntes
t wor
khor
se.
Sing
le c
onca
ve
thro
ugho
ut, t
he R
ook
15 w
orks
bes
t w
hen
on ra
il. w
ww
.bac
kdoo
r.co.
nz
Funk
y m
onke
y - $
750.
00 n
o fin
s/$7
90.0
0 w
ith
fins
Smal
l wav
e de
sign
1-3
foot
wav
es, h
as ve
ry fl
at ro
cker
with
very
wid
e ou
tline
an
d si
ngle
hip
in th
e ta
il. V
ery f
ast b
oard
, lot
s of
fun
for s
mal
l wav
es.
5’6”
-6’4
” vol
umes
and
dim
ensi
ons
chan
geab
le fo
r cus
tom
ord
ers.
m
ikel
ewin
surf
desi
gn@
face
book
.com
bana
na m
onke
y - $
750.
00 n
o fin
s/$7
90.0
0 w
ith
fins
All-
roun
der,
wav
e ra
nge
3-7
foot
mor
e cu
rvy b
otto
m ro
cker
to h
andl
e su
cky h
ollo
w
wav
es, r
eef/p
oint
bre
aks.
5’1
0-6’
8” vo
lum
es a
nd d
imen
sion
s ch
ange
able
for c
usto
m
orde
rs.
mik
elew
insu
rfde
sign
@fa
cebo
ok.c
om
spee
d m
onke
y - $
750.
00 n
o fin
s/$7
90.0
0 w
ith
fins
All-
roun
der d
esig
n w
ave
rang
e 3-
6 fo
ot s
light
ly lo
wer
rock
er a
nd n
arro
wer
to h
andl
e po
wer
ful b
each
bre
ak w
aves
. 5,1
0”-6
’8” v
olum
es a
nd d
imen
sion
s ch
ange
able
for
cust
om o
rder
s.
mik
elew
insu
rfde
sign
@fa
cebo
ok.c
om
Funky
Funky
65 Cobden Street, Gisborne | p: 0212101708 e: [email protected] f: [email protected]
www.backdoor.co.nz
54 55
HoW HAS THe coMpuTer
SHAper HelpeD your buSi-
NeSS?
roger Hall: I spend more time de-
signing surfboards which translates
into better surfboards for my cus-
tomers
Our surfboards are stronger and
more durable than ever before as
a result of the way we have imple-
mented 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 as-
semble 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 solu-
tions 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 un-
able 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 cus-
tomer 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.
Do you Feel THere HAS beeN ANy progreS-
SioN 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 un-
der with production, to spend more time on innovation.
This has to have a flow on effect with increased perfor-
mance 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 per-
ForMiNg boArDS?
roger Hall: Yes definitely, when I started in the 1970’s,
shapers didn’t measure much at all, it was mostly a
shape by eye and feel sculpture tech-
nique. 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 prob-
lem 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 meth-
od to reproduce known curves. In 2015,
the best way that we have to do this is by
using computer shaping.
pete Anderson: Machines have defi-
nitely helped create better performing
boards because you are consistently go-
ing forwards from a proven starting point.
MilliMeTreS MAke All THe DiFFereNce iN A
SurFboArDS perForMANce. DoeS SHApiNg
viA A MAcHiNe eNAble THe SHAper To pro-
Duce A perFecT replicA oF A MAgic TiMe
AND TiMe AgAiN, or iS THere STill A coN-
STANT vAriAble?
pete Anderson: You still have to consistently use the
same method to finish-shape the board in the shap-
ing 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 re-
capture 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
c o M p u t e r s h a p i n gM 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 refine-
ment, 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.
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 perfor-
mance feel of any board.
Are MAcHiNe SHAperS ArouND THe WorlD
SHAriNg FileS THrougH pArTiculAr SurF-
erS 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 close-
ly 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 num-
ber 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 num-
bers. 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!
eavo
r ig
uana
- fr
om $
870.
00Em
brac
ing
the
desi
gn e
lem
ents
of a
byg
one
era.
A s
uper
ride
r frie
ndly
feel
, with
vin
tage
flai
r. A
vaila
ble
shor
t and
spi
cy- t
o lo
ng a
nd s
moo
th.
ww
w.e
avor
.co.
nz
eavo
r pm
a - f
rom
$85
0.00
Perf
orm
ance
ste
p do
wn.
A li
vely
sm
all w
ave
sled
that
thin
ks it
’s a
n al
l-ro
unde
r. A
sure
bet
rega
rdle
ss o
f con
ditio
ns, t
he P
MA
will
hav
e yo
u fe
elin
g po
sitiv
ely p
ositi
ve!
ww
w.e
avor
.co.
nz
eavo
r de
e dee
- fr
om $
850.
00O
rigin
ally
des
igne
d as
a g
rove
ller,
The
Dee
Dee
qui
ckly
pro
ved
itsel
f to
be a
n ul
tra
relia
ble
desi
gn fo
r a la
rge
rang
e of
abi
litie
s an
d co
nditi
ons.
A g
reat
com
bina
tion
of
livel
ines
s an
d st
abili
ty. w
ww
.eav
or.c
o.nz
www.eavor.co.nz
SURF
TECH
Cha
nnel
Isla
nds A
vera
ge Jo
e - $
1095
.00
5’5”
x 2
1 3/
8”x
2 ½
” (33
litr
es)
Som
etim
es w
e ju
st w
ant s
omet
hing
fun!
With
full
rails
kee
ping
hig
h vo
lum
e in
a
shor
ter o
utlin
e th
e Av
erag
e Jo
e is
your
go
to g
rove
l boa
rd fo
r the
upc
omin
g su
mm
er.
ww
w.e
xits
urf.c
om
SURF
TECH
Cha
nnel
Isla
nds N
ew Fl
yer
- $1
095.
005’
8” x
19
¾”x
2 3
/8” (
28.0
Litr
es)
Chan
nel I
slan
ds h
ave
mod
erni
zed
the
Flye
r int
o a
shor
ter w
ider
pac
kage
. Thi
s ne
w-p
lan
shap
e al
low
s fo
r the
sam
e vo
lum
e in
a s
hort
er ra
il lin
e to
max
imis
e w
ave-
coun
t and
fun.
ww
w.e
xits
urf.c
om
Sim
on A
nder
son
Face
Dan
cer
- XF
- $92
0.00
Incr
ease
d w
idth
/nos
e ar
ea e
nabl
es yo
u to
sur
f FD
a li
ttle
shor
ter t
han
usua
l. U
se
a th
rust
er s
etup
for a
ll ro
und
cond
ition
s or
qua
d se
tup
for m
ore
spee
d in
wea
ker
cond
ition
s. w
ww
.exi
tsur
f.com
Aloh
a Be
an -
XF -
$92
5.00
6’0
x 20
x 2
3/8
(30
Litr
es)
The
Bea
n tr
ansf
ers
the
perf
orm
ance
feat
ures
of a
sta
ndar
d sh
ortb
oard
into
a
mor
e co
mpa
ct d
esig
n th
at’s
incr
edib
ly fa
st a
nd re
spon
sive
in s
mal
l-to
-med
i-um
siz
e w
aves
. An
abso
lute
firs
t pic
k fo
r sum
mer
!w
ww
.exi
tsur
f.com
Chill
i Rar
e Bir
d - X
F - $
995.
005’
8 x
19 ½
x 2
3/8
(28
Litr
es)
Wid
e po
int a
littl
e fo
rwar
d in
this
boa
rd a
llow
s a
real
ly n
ice
rail
line
that
cre
-at
es d
rive
and
max
imum
spe
ed. F
or o
ptim
um s
ize
drop
4-5
inch
es fr
om yo
ur
stan
dard
sho
rtbo
ard.
ww
w.e
xits
urf.c
om
Vam
pira
te R
evol
utio
n M
achi
ne -
XF -
$97
5.00
5’4
x 20
x 2
5/8
(33
Litr
es)
Qua
d fin
, wid
e sw
allo
w ta
il - M
oder
n ve
rsio
n of
a S
imm
ons
fish.
Sup
er fu
n w
ide
flat b
oard
, fas
t and
loos
e, a
maz
ing
in li
ttle
wav
es. I
t pla
nes
like
a je
t.w
ww
.exi
tsur
f.com
www.exitsurf.com
58 59
CARVE_NZ SURFING FP SEPT 2015.indd 1 7/08/2015 9:04 am
w h a t ’ s y o u rv o l u M 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.
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.
Out of all this came one important form of measure-
ment where surfers could fine tune what worked best
for them, and spawned from the inception of com-
puter 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 measure-
ment of the foam iNSiDe your board". Volume
directly translates to how much FloTATioN a board
has. Board Flotation is just as critical of a measure-
ment 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 abil-
ity level. Novice surfers will use more Volume and ex-
pert 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.
Let’s take another angle, you love your board and
nothing else you've tried comes close, yet once win-
ter 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 sup-
port. You love that board the way it holds a rail, the
way it drives through the pit, well don't fear, by tak-
ing 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.
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
ride. Lighter individuals will use lower volumes than
heavier surfers. Obviously, Shortboards, Funboards,
Longboards and SUP boards have different param-
eters to obtain their optimum performance.
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 crowd-
ed situations, or wearing thick wetsuits, lean towards
the higher end of the range that you fall into.
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!
61
foam
frie
nds -
$82
5.00
+Ex
cels
in 2
-4’ft
wav
es, w
ide
nose
, sm
ooth
cur
vy o
utlin
e pi
n ta
il fit
s in
the
pock
et
givin
g co
ntro
l and
rele
ase.
5 fi
n FC
SII s
etup
.w
ww
.mor
ris-
surf
boar
ds.c
o.nz
flyi
ng k
iwi -
$82
5.00
+M
ost p
opul
ar fi
sh d
esig
n w
e ha
ve e
ver m
ade.
Sin
gle
to d
oubl
e co
ncav
e w
ith ve
e ex
it. G
reat
all
roun
d bo
ard
for w
aves
2-4
ft.
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
Gene
rati
on W
hy -
$82
5.00
+H
igh
Perf
orm
ance
sho
rtbo
ard.
201
5 M
odel
feat
ures
low
er ra
ils a
nd d
eepe
r con
cave
be
twee
n th
e fe
et fo
r inc
reas
ed p
erfo
rman
ce.
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
next
gen
erat
ion
- $7
25.0
0D
esig
ned
for t
he g
rom
s. L
ow e
ntry
rock
er fo
r eas
y wav
e ca
tchi
ng, m
oder
ate
tail
rock
er. F
oolis
h te
mpl
ate
for f
orgi
vene
ss. S
light
hip
in ta
il fo
r sur
fing
tight
in
the
pock
et.
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
next
gen
erat
ion
2 -
$725
.00
Perf
orm
ance
Gro
m b
oard
des
igne
d fo
r tho
se p
rogr
essi
ng. S
ingl
e to
dou
ble
conc
ave,
nar
row
er te
mpl
ate
and
deep
er b
otto
m c
urve
s m
ake
this
a h
ighl
y re
spon
sive
littl
e pa
ckag
e.
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
padd
le po
p - $
825.
00+
Smal
l wav
e gr
ovel
enh
ance
r. Si
ngle
to d
oubl
e co
ncav
e w
ith p
lent
y of v
olum
e hi
dden
aw
ay. F
CSII
5 fin
set
up.
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
fusi
on -
$120
0.00
All r
ound
long
boar
d fo
r nos
e rid
ing
and
surfi
ng o
ff th
e ta
il, p
erfe
ct e
ntry
into
Lo
ngbo
ardi
ng. 7
’6 -
9’6
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
bar
fly-
$16
00.0
0M
oder
n Lo
g gl
asse
d in
9 o
z Vo
lan
with
cla
ssic
str
inge
rs,re
sin
tints
,pig
men
ts
and
inla
ys. G
loss
Pol
ish.
9’4
- 10
’2
ww
w.m
orri
s-su
rfbo
ards
.co.
nz
www.morris-surfboards.co.nz | mob 021 994 916
Tom
thum
b - $
825.
00+
Des
igne
d fo
r goo
d w
aves
in th
e 3-
5ft r
ange
. Sin
gle
conc
ave
with
med
ium
ro
cker
. FCS
II 5
fin s
etup
.w
ww
.mor
ris-
surf
boar
ds.c
o.nz Neo Glass FCSII upgrade + $95
28/5 Anvil Road, Silverdale
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
Untitled-1 1 8/26/2015 5:48:33 AM
Mod
ern
retr
o fis
h - $
890.
00 fi
ns in
clud
ed.
This
boa
rd is
a m
oder
n sp
in o
n a
clas
sic
fish,
low
rock
er, d
eep
doub
le c
onca
ves,
ve
e th
roug
h th
e bo
ttom
, five
fin
plug
s m
akes
this
boa
rd m
ore
vers
atile
, box
y rai
ls,
good
for a
ll su
rfing
ski
ll le
vels
. 5’1
0’x2
01/2
’x25
/8” 3
4.56
ltrs
ww
w.jd
ubsu
rfbo
ards
.nz
the t
ripp
er -
$850
.00
fins i
nclu
ded.
The
Trip
per a
new
ste
p-up
mod
el in
the
Jdub
rang
e, g
reat
trav
ellin
g bo
ard,
it h
as w
ide
poin
t for
war
d of
hal
f way
, fai
rly p
ulle
d in
mid
and
tail
area
. The
boa
rd is
des
igne
d fo
r po
int,
reef
and
hea
vy b
each
bre
ak c
ondi
tions
, bes
t sui
ted
to ro
unde
d pi
n, ro
und
tail
or
swal
low
tails
. 6’3
”x 1
93/8
’ x27
/16”
31.
39ltr
sw
ww
.jdub
surf
boar
ds.n
z
evo
- $10
50.0
0EV
O (E
volu
tion)
is a
new
take
on
the
MPH
des
ign,
utili
zing
sof
ter f
eatu
res
and
mor
e ou
tline
cur
ve to
enc
oura
ge a
sm
ooth
er tr
ansi
tions
and
a m
ore
‘in
the
pock
et’ l
ine
of a
ttack
. 4’
10” –
6’ 0
” w
ww
.fire
wire
surf
boar
ds.c
om
Corn
ice -
$11
45.0
0TH
E CO
RN
ICE
com
bine
s Fi
rew
ire’s
boa
rd b
uild
ing
expe
rtis
e w
ith d
esig
n co
llabo
rato
r Dan
Man
n an
d Ed
uard
o Ce
nzan
o fro
m T
rinity
Tec
hnol
ogie
s in
ter-
pret
atio
n of
an
effe
ctive
sid
e-cu
t des
ign
for s
urfin
g. 5
’ 1” –
6’ 7
” w
ww
.fire
wire
surf
boar
ds.c
om
spar
tan
- $11
49.0
0TH
E SP
ARTA
N m
aint
ains
driv
e an
d sp
eed
thro
ugh
flatte
r sec
tions
. The
sin
gle
conc
ave
thro
ugho
ut a
dds
to th
e sp
eed
and
the
subt
le h
ip in
the
tail
mak
es it
eas
y to
redi
rect
. 5’ 8
” – 6
’ 2”
ww
w.fi
rew
iresu
rfbo
ards
.com
Mob 021360768 | www.jdubsurfboards.nz | FB. Jdub Surfboards NZ.
www.firewiresurfboards.com
Mut
ant E
PS -
$950
.00-
$110
0.00
fins
incl
uded
.Th
e M
utan
t mod
el is
a h
ybrid
sho
rt b
oard
and
has
bec
ome
our m
ost p
opul
ar.
Conc
ave
botto
m w
ith th
e de
epes
t poi
nt b
etw
een
the
fins,
vee
off t
he ta
il, m
id
low
box
rails
, the
boa
rd p
ictu
red
is e
ps/e
poxy
con
stru
ctio
n an
d ha
s ca
rbon
ro
ds in
stea
d of
a s
trin
ger.
6’0”
x191
/2”x
23/8
” 29.
45ltr
s w
ww
.jdub
surf
boar
ds.n
z
Anderson SurfboardsAndy Jordan SurfboardsBackdoor Surf StoresBeach Streetblack boardsBlack JacksByrning Spears SurfboardsCSA Surfboardscurve surfEavor SurfboardsEvolve Surf n Skate
andersonsurfboards.co.nz jordansurfshapes.co.nzbackdoor.co.nz06-758 0400blackboards.co.nz07-866 5800byrningspears.comcsasurfboards.co.nzcurvesurf.co.nzeavor.co.nz 07 5755728
Exit SurfEye shapes Surfboardsfirewire surfboardsHughes SurfboardshydroJdub Surfboardsmike lewin surfboardsMorris SurfboardsRaglan Kopua Holiday ParkRaglan Surf co.Raglan Surf emporiumReal SurfRusty SurfboardsSeasons CheapskatesSequence Surf ShopSTD / Lost SurfboardsSuperbrand SurfboardsUltimate Surf n skateVertigoWhangamata Surf
exitsurf.comeyeshapes.co.nzfirewiresurfboards.comraglansurf.comhydrosurf.co.nzJdubsurfboardsonfacebookmikelewinsurfboards@facebookmorris-surfboards.comraglanholidaypark.co.nzraglansurf.com07 282 0018realsurf.co.nzrusty.comseasonssurfboards.co.nzsequence.co.nzsurfboards.net.nzsuperbranded.comultimatesurfnskate.co.nzvertigosurf.com07-865 8252
LOST
PUDD
LE JU
MPE
R -
$Th
e w
ide
outli
ne m
akes
for e
asy w
ave
catc
hing
and
dow
n th
e lin
e gl
ide,
sta
bilit
y and
sp
eed.
Mak
es s
urfin
g sm
all t
o av
erag
e w
aves
sup
er fu
n. R
ide
this
boa
rd s
uper
sho
rt.
Shap
er, T
omm
y D
alto
n | p
: 027
2257
708
| e: s
tdsu
rfbo
ards
@ho
tmai
l.com
|
w: t
hebo
ardr
oom
nz.c
om
LOST
V3
rock
et -
$M
y mos
t pop
ular
boa
rd b
y far
. Fro
m th
e av
erag
e ev
eryd
ay s
urfe
r to
the
trav
el-
ling
pro,
mos
t who
ride
this
boa
rd a
re s
toke
d. A
gre
at a
ll ro
und
hybr
id d
esig
n fo
r jus
t abo
ut a
ny ty
pe o
f sur
fer.
Sh
aper
, Tom
my
Dal
ton
| p: 0
2722
5770
8 | e
: std
surf
boar
ds@
hotm
ail.c
om |
w
: the
boar
droo
mnz
.com
the l
ost d
rive
r -
$Ye
ar a
fter y
ear t
his
mod
el c
ontin
ues
to b
e R
icar
do C
hris
ties
go to
boa
rd a
nd is
th
e bo
ard
he h
as b
een
ridin
g fo
r mos
t of h
is W
SL e
vent
s th
is ye
ar. A
n aw
esom
e bo
ard
mad
e in
a ra
nge
of s
izes
and
tail
shap
es to
sui
t diff
eren
t con
ditio
ns.
Shap
er, T
omm
y D
alto
n | p
: 027
2257
708
| e: s
tdsu
rfbo
ards
@ho
tmai
l.com
|
w: t
hebo
ardr
oom
nz.c
om
the “
smal
l Daz
e” -
$795
.00
wit
h fin
s or
$745
.00
wit
hout
Feat
ured
: 5’6
” x 2
2” x
2 1
1/16
” @ 3
9 ltr
s.Ti
me
to th
row
out
the
mal
. The
ses
boar
ds w
ill c
atch
eve
n th
e sm
alle
st o
f w
aves
with
eas
e. W
e’ve
pac
ked
a lo
t of b
oard
into
a s
mal
l pac
kage
with
fe
atur
es to
kee
p it
fast
and
fun.
Idea
l for
thos
e la
zy s
umm
er d
aze.
w
ww
.eye
shap
es.c
o.nz
the “
new
kum
era”
- $7
95.0
0 w
ith
fins o
r $7
45.0
0 w
itho
utFe
atur
ed; 5
’4” x
20
3/8”
x 2
3/8
” @ 3
0 ltr
s.O
ur m
ost p
opul
ar fi
sh d
esig
n ha
s ev
olve
d to
allo
w it
to b
e rid
den
in a
gre
ater
ra
nge
of w
aves
. The
new
vers
ion
com
es a
littl
e na
rrow
er th
an th
e or
igin
al a
nd
has
a pu
lled
in ta
il w
ith a
min
i sw
allo
w. S
till fl
at a
nd fa
st.
ww
w.e
yesh
apes
.co.
nz
the “
rev-
up pl
us” -
$79
5.00
wit
h fin
s or
$745
.00
wit
hout
Feat
ured
; 5’9
” x 1
9 ½
” x 2
3/8
” @ 2
9.5
ltrs.
Our
mos
t pop
ular
sm
all w
ave
perf
orm
ance
boa
rd n
ow c
omes
with
hip
s. T
his
crea
tes
a st
raig
hter
rail
outli
ne g
ener
atin
g gr
eate
r spe
ed d
own
the
line
whi
lst
reta
inin
g th
e ab
ility
to tu
rn o
n a
dim
e. V
ery p
opul
ar.
ww
w.e
yesh
apes
.co.
nz
www.eyeshapes.co.nz | [email protected] | p: 021 2082093
Shaper, Tommy Dalton | p: 0272257708 | e: [email protected] | w: theboardroomnz.com
free
surf
- $8
60.0
0 - $
950.
00Th
is is
a g
reat
boa
rd w
heth
er yo
u su
rf w
ell o
r are
just
lear
ning
to ri
de s
hort
-bo
ards
. Unr
eal i
n sm
all s
urf a
nd s
till h
olds
whe
n it’
s a
bit b
igge
r. It’
s w
ide,
thic
k an
d fa
st th
roug
h fa
t sec
tions
. Bot
tom
is s
ingl
e co
ncav
e in
to ve
e of
f the
bac
k fin
.Po
pula
r dim
ensi
ons
rang
e fro
m 5
’4” –
7’2
”.w
ww
.csa
surf
boar
ds.c
om
squi
d - $
860.
00 -
$950
.00
This
is o
ur m
oder
nise
d pe
rfor
man
ce b
oard
. It w
orks
from
bea
chie
s to
poi
nts!
Sin
gle
doub
le c
onca
ve w
ith ve
e of
f the
tail
tip m
akes
it q
uick
to tu
rn. I
t’s 1
” sho
rter
than
your
st
anda
rd h
igh
perf
orm
ance
boa
rd w
ith a
wid
er n
ose
and
a sl
ight
ly fu
ller r
ail.
Popu
lar
dim
ensi
ons
rang
e fro
m 5
’4” –
7’4
”.w
ww
.csa
surf
boar
ds.c
om
www.csasurfboards.com | [email protected] | (06) 7512123 / 027 315 4557
illus
ion
- $86
0.00
- $9
10.0
0Th
is b
oard
com
bine
s so
me
of th
e be
st a
ttrib
utes
of p
erfo
rman
ce a
nd re
tro
boar
ds. E
asy t
o ge
t int
o lo
ads
of w
aves
, pivo
ts n
icel
y off
the
botto
m tu
rn a
nd is
go
od fo
r ope
n fa
ce c
arve
s. B
otto
m is
a m
ello
w s
ingl
e do
uble
con
cave
into
vee
off t
he b
ack
fin. P
opul
ar d
imen
sion
s ra
nge
from
5’0
” – 6
’10”
.w
ww
.csa
surf
boar
ds.c
om
8.9.10january
2016
SS16_FullPgAd.indd 1 14/8/15 7:33:25 AM
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 his-tory 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 de-signers 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 evolu-tion 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 indus-try 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, gen-erally 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 biome-chanics 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 sub-stantially 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 out-line 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 cre-ate 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 in-creased hold and speed.
• 50/50 Foil: A symmetrical foil used on all cen-tre fins where both sides are convex. Even water flow on both sides creates stability and control.
• 70/30 or 80/20 Foil: Combines the perfor-mance of a centre and side fin offering increased speed, smooth rail-to-rail transitions and a con-sistent 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 bot-tom 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 Fu-ture 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 manufactur-ers 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.