kneeling when speedy standing when small

[kneelingBROTHA]

I was wondering if this was true, as I have always fancied twin fin, keel fishes ever since I laid my eyes on one: can they be used as a standup board when small and a kneeboard when big? What are the limitations? If I get a summer job this year and get a decent amount of hours (like 30+ hours/week), I'd like to spend part of the overall cash on a kneeboard. The problem was that past summers I kept on getting sick or something would come up. I couldn't even get a job this semester; I had sinus surgery and that killed any chance of getting a job. However, I'm finally improving in terms of sinus problems, and as a result I'm going to apply all over the place this summer and basically be stoked on any job.

My reason for asking about this particular type of board: the south bay is almost flat in the summer (well, it is 99% of the time) making kneeling on small waves almost pointless. But, when the winter comes, the waves start heating up as the water cools. I figure with the twin fin keel fish, I could stand up when its flat (and develop my arm-paddling muscles) and then kneel when its big. The best of both worlds, you know?

Basically it would be a way of taking advantage of the lack of ridable kneeboard surf in the summer, and then getting back on the horse immediately when the waves are good.

Anyhow, let me know about the strengths and limitations, and the reality of fishes.

And of course, if I land a new board, I'll pass on the blue bottle to someone stoked on kneeriding. Hopefully I can find someone.

Have a good one everyone,

Marc

[kneelingBROTHA]

PS--and what shapers make one that can do both WELL would be great so I can research it to death before I potentially get a check!

[KenM]

Answer to your question: ABSOLUTELY YES! This is something that goes back to the early development of the fish. A few of the better shapers of boards that would work well for this would be, Rich Pavel, ( labels include: Choice, Axis, Greenroom, Rainbow) Larry Mabile, (labels include Swift and Kane Garden) and Chris Christenson, all out of San Diego area.

____________________________
Rail grabbin', fish ridin", throwback.

[Bob]

A guy named Russell who lives near LA surfed with me in Timor and Bali. He used the old soft green Churchills and he use to kneeboard very low at the beginning of waves and stand up at the end of waves as they got less ctritical and he did quite well. His boards were by a guy who used to shape for 70's and/or 80's pro surfer David Barr. Or they were shaped by one of the Barr brothers. I do not remember which. I think they were in the Hermosa beach area.

Hope this helps.

[Beeline2.0]

[Dirk Brandts]

Dale Dobson used to mix it up both ways. Usually he'd switch to another board, but sometimes he'd do both on a given board and wave. I think he competed in quite a few kneeboard contests, too.

There was a guy whose name I have forgotten who toured around with Peterson and Naughton. He transformed from a kneelo to a standup to a windsurfer in about 6 years, and during the transition period he'd mix it up quite a bit. I used to see him around Santa Barbara/Ventura a lot. I like that approach.

To answer the question, it's completely feasible on a long narrow fish.

[kneelingBROTHA]

Good info to have. I was thinking about it after seeing how monstrous my kneeboard looked compared to this local high schooler's (who I think is actually sponsored, which would explain the following) tiny fish that he was shreading on. Hang 5, carves, barrels, and flow.

A fish looks like the only board I could stand up on at a reasonable length and still have style and flow on. A big guy tri? That would just look obnoxiously stupid in my case.

In any event, this seems like an interesting idea. If I do get a summer job that will be my goal: a standup-kneeling hybrid.

In any event, when it gets hollow and big I want to kneel. I would want to kneel, in fact, at most any time. But trying to get going kneeling on a 1ft south bay wave when its NOT big and hollow at 260lb is a bit hard.

My sinuses have cleared post surgery, I got sick a few days ago but unlike in the past 6 months the antibiotics knocked it down QUICKLY (as opposed to not at all before) and I'm almost back to normal now. I could definately see myself being healthy in the summer and holding down a job.

Thanks guys.

Any shaper recommendations for the south bay would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what length/width/thickness (approx) would I be looking at? I know [most] of you guys don't shape boards, but you guys have been at this for so long you all have a good feel for specs.

Anyhow, later...

[boards_and_fins]

I made a post about my thoughts on your question ect., but it has disappeared in internet land. So here you go. Contact this guy www.zippifish.com, he is in Hermosa and from what I understand very good to work with. I would say 6'4 x 22 x 3.

[WillP]

Hi Marc,

Good talkin with you the other day. I think i might know someone that has a board that will work for you. Joel Mayer, the Photog, is about 6'0" and probably about 275++lbs. He has a board that might be what you are looking for. It's 6'0" x 23 1/4" x 3" set up as a twin fin but has two extra FCS plugs so that it can be used as a quad. He also has the small customs fibreglass fins for those rear plugs.

If you're into it give him a call. I just spoke with him and he's into parting with it. (760)434-5166 Ask for Dole The Penguin


It's not the most high performance board in the world but it would probably suit your needs.

[chasinglefts]

http://www.newyorksurf.com/modules/ipbo ... wtopic=735


check the last few sentences of the last paragraph. This style has been around quite a while.

Does anyone know if there is footage of Bunker surfing this board at Jeffries???

[Steeno]

I know heaps of us guys here in OZ will stand on their kneelos when the surf is small, for some extra fun

[kneelingBROTHA]

Hi Marc,

Good talkin with you the other day. I think i might know someone that has a board that will work for you. Joel Mayer, the Photog, is about 6'0" and probably about 275++lbs. He has a board that might be what you are looking for. It's 6'0" x 23 1/4" x 3" set up as a twin fin but has two extra FCS plugs so that it can be used as a quad. He also has the small customs fibreglass fins for those rear plugs.

If you're into it give him a call. I just spoke with him and he's into parting with it. (760)434-5166 Ask for Dole The Penguin


It's not the most high performance board in the world but it would probably suit your needs.

Wuddup bro? It was nice talking to you too! As far as the board goes, I have no money right now. My goal is to get a new board at the end of the summer after working. Seeing as Mark so nicely gave me a board to enter into the sport for free, I wouldn't feel right taking another one or asking for a bargain bin price. If he wants to part with it and sell it to someone else, that's cool, if its still around at the end of the summer maybe I can buy it? Anyhow, we should definately surf sometime!

By the way, are you going to surf on Friday? I'm pretty sure I can't but if you're free that day that would be nice to know. I'll call you on Thurs if I can make it somewhere we can meet up if you are free Fri. I know you're going away, so you might not be, but hey, if you are, I'd be stoked on a sesh, wherever really!

And thanks everyone for replying. I appreciate the info particularly on the Hermosa Beach shaper. Good info!

--marc

[nobrush]

I love my Freeline as both a standup and kneelo-during the (ksusa 05')contest i tried standing up but there was so much backwash off the cliff i got thrown-people always (especially kneelos)seem to be amazed i surf my 5'8" standing up but why not-its hell of alot of fun to be able to pump the wave and make sections you couldnt if you were on your knees is all the mo' betta -granted when you make a cutback it isnt carve the nicest lines but it still rips-plus you can turn sharper on small hollow waves...