Couple Design ?'s

[bolsonAA]

This post is mostly geared towards Surfdad but any input is great! In regards to behind a boat, why do I not see more mini nose riders out there? I just received one to try out and will post pictures but it seems for those that have had little board sport experience a nose rider would be very easy to learn on. I also was thinking surfing boards like this require much more style than a regular shortboard (at least in the ocean) so do you think there would be a mini nose rider niche out there? Especially for those that are ballast challenged? Second question is in regards to nose design. I see some crazy shapes out there but why are most surf noses wider than traditional shortboards? I know Shred Stixx is unique in their shapes but a narrower nose keeps the board from digging in the flats. Is it a drive issue? Lastly, if it is in fact a drive issue, with all the different types of fin foils out there wouldn't the fins that are used be just as if not more important the shape? All of my experience has been in the ocean, 26 years in the ocean actually so some of the design ideas are different. Just wanted to get your opinion.

As soon as I get a chance I'll post some pics of my new boards.

[bolsonAA]

New board pictures

The shortboard is 4'10"
The mini nose rider is 6'4"

[Surfdad]

Sweet looking sticks! I like the outline on that squash...flows so well. Tell me about that noserider in that last picture! Concave in the nose?

In addressing the questions in ease of answering - I don't think there is a HUGE level of experience with shapers making nose riders. Long boards, sure but that nose rider is a significant skill niche. I had one made and the shaper made it at 8'2". WAY too fast. Mike Armstrong has a small 5'2" noserider that settles in just perfect. AND you can ride in the front 2 feet. 6'4" would be a really good noserider that would allow a broad range of folks to ride. I have been practicing my cross stepping on a 4' long skateboard! One day I'm going to do it behind the boat

As you know 'bro, things that work in the ocean, don't always translate behind the boat well...and it truly takes a bazillion years of shaping experience to get the differences and how that will impact design.

Fins are the real deal, period. Most commercial products are shipped with the cheapest set available and consumers just aren't savvy enough to know any difference. James prefers the Futures Scimitar's...they are something crazy like $75 a pair at retail, most weekend surfers aren't going to drop that sort of coin on fins. The performance increase though is amazing. IMO, getting the right fin with the board shape and bottom isn't an easy task - this issue alone is one reason that custom shapers exist!

The nose issue I think you're right. Folks shape a 5'10" board and then hack the nose off to create a 4'10" board. Longer rail line, more down the line speed and the cost is manuverability. The balance between shape, size and performance is not an easy task, especially when moving to behind the boat from decades of experience elsewhere...plus we also know that there are many companies in it for a quick buck.

[bolsonAA]

Thanks for the info, makes a lot of sense. The nose rider is 6'4" with concave in the nose like you would see on a traditional 9'0", reverse V (stringer higher than rails) out the tail with future fins. It is 21" wide and 2.75 thick. If you were closer I'd let you ride it! I'll post some pictures later this week. The short board is 19.5" wide and 1.5" thick. I'm looking forward to playing with the different fins and I appreciate your info regarding fins.

[bolsonAA]

Here are the boards ready to ride!

If any of you are interested in a group buy I can help you out.

[dogbert]

That short board looks pretty fast. How much for one of those babies?

[bolsonAA]

Hey dogbert, I agree the short baord looks super fast. I will post some pictures tomorrow evening after we ride but as far as price goes, retail they run between $450 and $650 depending color, size, fins etc. For example, a board like you see in the picture 5', clear thruster with deck would be $450.

If your interested you can pm me and we'll talk about price, you won't pay retail.

[bolsonAA]

dogbert, the more I think about the more I feel I need to clarify or explain my wake surfing history. I grew up in San Diego and have been in the surf industry for close to 26 years, both on the retail end and on the manufacturing end. A few years ago my wife and I moved to Athens, GA and my surfing days all but ended except for a few trips a year. My parents decide to buy a boat for the family and through the experience of the marina and company they went with a '07 24ve. I started reading about wake surfing and picked it up quick, I rode both styles of CWB boards and while it was adequate I began to think about surfboard design and how it would be behind a boat. 2 things bothered me about "pop-out" boards, the weight and the price. I don't understand how a pop out can run $400-$500 when there is no real craftsmanship going into it. So, I called one of my past team riders in CA and began to work with his surfboard shaper on wake surfers. I enjoy the aspect of ordering each board specifically for me, length, width, thickness, fin configuration, color etc. I enjoy the relationship with my shaper as well as the work. I guess it would be like you ordering a board from Surfdad, you would appreciate the board more because he is making it by hand and adding his touch. I thought for those wake surfers that really enjoy the sport being able to order real surfboards from a reputable surfboard maker would be a great option. I love the sport and so my intention is just to add to others enjoyment.

As for the Props brand, they are shaped by Dave Pearson out of San Diego, he also owns and shapes Ezera surfboards. Props does not have a website so it has a core following. Below is a link about him and his boards, the colors you see can be done on any board as well as any other idea you have. The options are limitless. If anyone has any questions in regards to shapes Surdad knows his stuff, I've sat back and read his responses and he is great for the sport. Ordering custom boards is not the same as getting a pop out in the box and thats it, thought and design play a part in it but that is part of the fun. And then you get to ride it!

Sorry for the long post but felt like some background was due.
http://www.surfboardbuilders.com/sha...e_pearson.aspx

http://www.surfboardbuilders.com/Bro...px?ShaperID=34

[dogbert]

You sound like a couple of other guys here in town who are surfers turned wakesurfers that do their own surf shaping. I too surfed growing up on Long Island, but didn't do it for years. Now I'm trying to get back into it behind my boat. We're still trying to figure out wake shape and all, but finding a board for me (6'7" and 290 lbs) is a bit of a challenge. The best board I tried so far was a Watercooled board that I borrowed from Billy Clarke, but even it didn't quite do it for me. It was a longer board and I know if I invest in a board, I'll probably outgrow it pretty quick, so I'm willing to go a little more advanced in exchange for a steeper learning curve.

It's a really fun sport and I'd love to see it grow, so, no apologies for the explanation is necessary

[Surfdad]

Thanks 'bro for the compliment, just one point of clarification. I don't sell anything or build for folks - I love to build and shape for myself and James, but I will never know how folks can make it in that biz, the profit margins are so slim.

I want one of those noseriders! Hook me up.

[bolsonAA]

dogbert, your height and weight is a perfect example of why custom boards are necessary. Let me ride both of these tomorrow and we'll talk. Same for you surfdad, lets make sure the size is right and we'll brainstorm on the final dimensions. We'll get you taken care of!