Small boards for big waves

curlykneelo · Post by **curlykneelo** » Sun May 30, 2004 12:50 am

I haven't read all replies but a lot of guys mention the size of their boards but not the size of themself . I'm 6'9" and for those days over 12" I've got a Flashpoint 6'10". Iron

dogtown · Post by **dogtown** » Sun May 30, 2004 4:06 am

NO-ONE HAS TOUCHED ON FIN SIZE ,I RIDE A 5'10X24'TRI-FIN WITH TWO RED-X BOXES.I HAVE TWO SETS OF FINS SMALL SET X-3'S AND A LARGER SET X-2'S,I FIND FIN SIZE AND POSITION HAS DRAMATIC EFFECTS ON ONE BOARD.AS FAR AS BOARD LENGTH IS CONCERNED I THINK ITS A MATTER OF TASTE ,DEFINATLEY EASIER TO PADDLE.AS FAR AS LOOSENESS OF LONGER BOARDS/SHORTER BOARDS ,MANY VARIABLES EG;ROCKER,V,RAIL ,.ETC.ANY WAY JUST THOUGHT I WOULD THROW A SPANNER IN THE WORKS.AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL IDIVIDUALS WITH DIFFERENT STYLES AND ABILITES.SO RIDE WHAT EVER WORKS FOR YOU/////

C.P.Odom · Post by **C.P.Odom** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 6:50 am

Headwax,

You are correct ot bring up the subject of surface area. And I have touched on the subject in a PM to Hart. The issue was to find a volume that works for a riders "mass" then to maintain it in all of their boards. When length or width is increased to create more surface area, thickness will have to be decreased to maintain the correct volume.

Curtis

toofast · Post by **toofast** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:58 pm

I met another KB`er and I asked him if I could try his board.So we traded for a few waves.his was a 5-10 and mine was 5'. The first wave I caught with his board I I fell off because it wouldn`t turn. I was used to mine.The next couple of waves, I moved back on the tail and the board did do better.But ,it didn`t do what I expected it to do. He said mine was uncontrolable.
I also have a 4'9" that I have ridin in 15' surf and I loved it..
So, my taught on the subject is,ride the board that you know

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 2:01 pm

toofast · Post by **toofast** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 2:24 pm

Beeline....His board did seem to be faster then mine. The waves were small that day. I do agree with you about in time we would get used to each others boards. His board seemed good for carving where mine is for quick turns.

red · Post by **red** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:50 pm

Toofast

Do you have to take late drops because your short boards don't paddle in ?

toofast · Post by **toofast** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:09 pm

Red...Not always...I seem to catch as many waves as the next guy and what I mean by that is, I can usually catch a wave at the same time the other guy does. I used my arms more then most KBer`s i`ve seen. I can`t denie I work hard to catch waves. late take-offs are easier but I have this pholosy, if I can catch the wave without cutting someone off, i`m going for it. If I make it, it looks good, if I eat it, oh well. It`s all about the picture.The down fall I see with the sizes of my boards is there needs to be some amount of steepness to the wave. It doesn`t have to be big, just a face that brakes with somekind of speed.

stemple · Post by **stemple** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:30 pm

There you have the achilles heel of small kneeboards. "they require a pretty good wave shape work well" Longer boards increase the range of waves you can rip on, go faster and generally ride better. They may not ride looser or deeper but they are way more versitile.

Flexman · Post by **Flexman** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:10 am

hart · Post by **hart** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:38 am

Flexman,

Once more you make such accurate observations.

But for most of us, we live within the mundane rigidity of contemporary surfboards..solid foam and fibreglass..and this ( I think) is what stemple is referring to.

If you were to design (rigid) foam to react as if it were flexible, you would design certain elements with straightness. You would then design other portions with curve.

You may then blend it all together with some kind of 3 dimensional contour..a form of foil.

All with flex in mind..but concious that you're working with a medium that is without flex.

And so if you did, you would need length to make things happen subtley..otherwise it may all happen too quick.

And without the benefit (beauty) of inherent flex..that may be a disaster.

hart

Flexman · Post by **Flexman** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 10:21 am

toofast · Post by **toofast** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:10 pm

I have to say , you guys confuse the hell out of me. Maybe i`m stuck in the dark age.I have shaped a few boards for myself.
I don`t consder myself a "shaper".I usually have my boards made. I don`t listen to the latest and greatest trends.Maybe I should. I don`t just go in and bye someone else`s design. I order my boards how I want them based on what I have riddin and what I think will make it work the way I want it to. The last board I had made is a exact copy of a board that I had made in the late 70s. A 4'9" stinger swallow with a hydo that goes into a step on the bottom, single fin box with a "Velzy" butterfly fin. It worked good back then,it works good now. I prefer loose boards. In my book, there`s nothing like dropping in on a good size wave on a short board and saying to myself, this is going to be fun !!!!

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 6:53 pm

Toofast- I loved riding smaller shapes in nice little, steep peaks: just drop in and go! Thats the thing I love about KBing. Everybody's right and every shape is right as long as we're all having fun.

Kneeboard Surfing USA Community Forum

Small boards for big waves

Do you think short kneeboards perform better than long boards in big waves!

short or long?

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