Retro Twin Fish KB Shaper Who KBs in San Diego Area?

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 7:09 am

I just joined this site and posted some of my fishes--great site.I know many of you, from being a kneerider for over 30 yrs.I agree with the comment about fishes needing GOOD conditions to really turn on.I would really like to try a aussie tri.I like the way they can find speed and turn in everyday surf and more. Anyone have a suggestion about where to get a aussie tri that, I will like after riding toby and lis fishes for 30 yrs?? Great site here and pleased to see that all the kneelo's out there, are as bent as I--still !!

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 9:30 am

Hi, John I got the two pictured from rich"toby" pavel at the greenroom in san diego.They ride unreal,super fast,with unlimited topend.The dark blue one is more of a toby fish,only difference is alittle thicker and single concave.Steve Lis lives on kauai fulltime with family now, and is still shaping.Toby was a excellent kneerider for over 20 yrs ,another worldclass shaper with kneeriding roots!Getting a board from Lis is a task that most likely take the patience of a saint,but can be done! Give toby a try. Might take a good while but,he's a great character,friend and still a hardcore kneerider at heart.Either choice of Lis or toby you will have classic fish.I still want to try one of those aussie shapers boards.they look like alot of fun

albert · Post by **albert** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 12:10 am

You know I recently asked David Parkes to shape me a retro kneeboard, basically I told him to shape me something that was the standard of kneeboarding about 25 years ago in Australia.

What came out of it was definately interesting. 5'4" X 23" X 2 1/2" double wing diamond tail with a lot of vee in the tail, three big fin boxes and big side fins with a small trailer. I have ridden it a number of times and simply put I wouldn't trade it for anything in small surf... it turns on a dime and gathers speed right off the takeoff.

Anyway, good luck in your search for a shaper in California that provides you with a good kneeboarder. I sure as hell never had any luck with that...

Albert

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 8:30 am

Try a Freeline fish and/or quad. John has been shaping KBs since the beginning of the sport. He was a shaper with G&S back in the mid 60's, working with Skip Frye and others and was right in the mix when the Fish was invented.

When I moved to SoCal for a few years in 1979, I found that my narow single/tri fins just couldnt' surf those slower waves. I added a Freeline fish to the quiver and had a blast on it. I surfed a fish in everything from 2 foot Topanga to 8-10 foot Malibu to 15+ Shipwreaks at the tip of Baja. Even thought the Fish surfed great, the advent of the thruster saved this old single fin rider.

Freeline has KBs to demo - tail riding, fish quads and a fins-forward roundtail quad. And there are a couple fishes hanging around, also. There will soon be a fins-forward thruster (as soon as I get off my butt and talk to John).

Check in and talk with John. He has a lot of KB knowledge he loves to share.

-Dan

Jon Manss · Post by **Jon Manss** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 11:54 am

Albert A 5' 4" turns on a dime, himm, now where have I heard that before? Maybe Bruce can help me on that. The last of the 5'4" riders.unite Jon
Just got out of the water and it still turns on a dime. Everyone should have a rivermouth in their backyard.

joelb01 · Post by **joelb01** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 1:51 pm

surfhorn wrote:Try a Freeline fish and/or quad. John has been shaping KBs since the beginning of the sport. He was a shaper with G&S back in the mid 60's, working with Skip Frye and others and was right in the mix when the Fish was invented.

i agree with surfhorn. john has been shaping my boards since the late 80's and every one, including my new fish has been excellent.

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 3:01 pm

I once heard steve lis got kneeboards from John Mel in the early sixties.My friend rides his boards .

ScottMac · Post by **ScottMac** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:55 pm

WillP · Post by **WillP** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:21 pm

I have a board almost identical to the squaretail in that last link. Mine has two big side fins and a small trailing fin. I'll post a pic of it tonight. Works really well in small muchy waves.

nwdude · Post by **nwdude** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:19 pm

those mandala boards look interesting - where's his shop ? i'd like to visit it next week when i'll be in the l.a. area

Post by **joe** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 5:41 pm

I think he's in the Bay Area.
http://www.mandalacustomshapes.com

Manuel's e-mail is manuel@mandalacustomshapes.com

Maybe someone should invite him to bring some boards to the Jalama gathering?

Kneeboard Surfing USA Community Forum

Retro Twin Fish KB Shaper Who KBs in San Diego Area?

HI Albert

Retro Twin Fish KB Shaper Who KBs in San Diego Area?

mandala boards