TWP Convert

[Surfdad]

Props has a great looking squash. TWP jumped in and created a board Mike is calling The Convert. It's patterened after a shortboard, squash tail, single to double concave and a pretty significant nose flip.

[ragboy]

seems like it has a bit of rocker, all the way down.

[LovinPowell]

I'm interested in hearing your evaluation of the ride.

[Surfdad]

It doesn't have quite as much rocker as it appears in that picture, but it does have a HUGE nose flip. Rocker isn't a bad thing, it aides in turning and helps with release when attempting airs. For example, James pro model has 3.5" of nose rocker and 1" of tail rocker. However, too much rocker and the board will be slow.

One other point, there is the visible rocker on the rail, but that can be different than the effective rocker. I think I mentioned that this board had a single to double concave on the bottom. Concave does a number of things, but one of the most important is that it straightens out the rocker down the middle of the board, which gives it lift and speed, while maintaining the turning ability.

I'm looking forward to riding this one, plus I have - sheesh, 7 others from Mike.

[dogbert]

One other point, there is the visible rocker on the rail, but that can be different than the effective rocker. I think I mentioned that this board had a single to double concave on the bottom. Concave does a number of things, but one of the most important is that it straightens out the rocker down the middle of the board, which gives it lift and speed, while maintaining the turning ability.

I know what you mean. Our two Trickboardz have a significant concave design that makes them very fast. A couple of the surf boards we demo'd also had this characteristic.

[Surfdad]

Perfect example, Dogbert! The Trick Boardz Surf Skate that I have, has almost 1.5 inches of rocker at each end, with nearly 3/4" of concave. Down the middle that board effectively only has 3/4" of rocker at each end. Concave also adds considerable wetted surface area and that helps down-the-line speed. The Surf Skate in particular has exceptional turning ability, owing to that rail line rocker.

Lots of design criteria that can effect the way a board rides.

[ragboy]

It looks cool. The thing that is so difficult, is there are so many good boards out there, they cost a lot of dough, and it is VERY difficult to demo them in any way. Once you get at James level, and they start throwing em at you to see if they stick, that sounds very cool.

I have been trying to get RJ to be able to demo the new quad loogey and carbon rail, and now the new sweet spot, but haven't been able to set up a time with Sean Cummings, he has been busy.

Fortunately we won the smed, which RJ has really liked, so that turned out well, and that is what we are sticking with. We also won the McTay, from calibrated, but that board is a bit slow, and very unwieldy to turn. Even whitney, with James sig on the bottom, is starting to ride other of our boards cuz it doesn't move well.

Anyway, I love looking at the new boards you post and stuff. We are hoping to hit Castaic on the 12th. I think Amy has sent a couple of emails to sign up, but don't know if she has yet.

[Surfdad]

Oh no! Whitney is not riding the board with James signature!

I am always so pleased that James rides as well as he does, but then I get to ride some cool sticks also. I'll have to post up some of the other pictures this evening. I've got one that I have my eye one. It's a new 4'8" Comp X, I think that will turn out to be a good board for folks that can ride, but are too "big" for the 4'6" boards that abound.

I did get an email from Amy, we are SO looking forward to the Garcia's at Castaic. We have the entire lower lake reserved, so we'll get smooth water ALL DAY!

[ragboy]

It won't be the entire clan. Only RJ is competing, I may get Thomas and maddie to also compete. I will be there with 5 of my kids.

James will just have to eventually sign another board.

Its a long drive to castaic, but I just feel like only one contest this year, I didn't get my fill. Plus RJ is just really getting better, and I want to keep him inspired, you know?

[Surfdad]

RJ has really developed over the last month. Where he was barely showing fins, he's boosting now. The Smed board helped, but also he's developing some muscle mass too. Have RJ watch James doing his aerials, in particular watch his front foot - that's the key.

T-Bone amd Maddie are the cutest competitors ever! Looking forward to seeing them ride again.