NICE VIEW

From a blistering start to a snail trail, have a squizz at some material that looks good to me. Thanks to Zane, the entrepid surf slut, and the links he sends through...

Matt Meola - $100,000 Innersection edit

Matt Meola - $100,000 Innersection edit from ACL Digital Cinema on Vimeo.

Slater's Snapper Sticks

From Surfing Life article: http://www.surfinglife.com.au/news/asl-news/5942-slaters-snapper-sticks

Kelly Slater kicked off 2011 in the sorta circumstances he’s known for, surrounded by rumours of retirement. He's committed to the Quik Pro, but that's about it for now. "The waves at Snapper wake me up enough for motivation," says KS, "but I’d love to get another win at the Quiksilver Pro. It’ll either be a great way to go out, or a great way to start another campaign.”

When quizzed about his plans for the year, Slater was as non-committal as ever. “I can’t honestly answer any questions about the year right now. I’ve thought about doing a farewell aloha tour and saying bye, and I’ve thought about retiring after this event for real."
If Slater wins Snapper ASL finds it hard to believe he'll be able to walk away. Kelly's defending champ at four events. His main sponsor, and a company he is now a three percent stakeholder in, runs three more. The last of these, the Quiksilver Pro New York, boasts a million dollar kitty and is the closest thing he'll ever see to a home event, without Rip Curl taking The Search to Florida. ASL ain't buying any talk of retirement but enough speculation, here's a look at Kelly's quiver for Queensland.

From left to right:

1. 5’5″ x 18 3/4″ x 2 1/4″ Wizard Sleeve, squash tail

2. 5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Semi Pro, rounded pin, a copy of his magic Semi Pro from his 10th World Title Campaign

3. 5’9″ x 18 3/8″ Semi Pro, with a slightly wider nose outline

4. 5’9″ x 18 3/4″ x 2 5/16″ “Combo Platter”, The Semi Pro-Whip. A board specifically blended for the bank at snapper. Swallow tail.

He's got more, but this is all the King was willing to make public. Pic blog.cisurfboards.com

BOARD SWAP EVENT

I saw this the other day, a great idea, one that we should vibe out in good ol' dirtbin, check out Patagnia hosting a boardswap event, pretty much bring your old boards and swap em for someone else's old board, GENIUS!!! It had a great turn out and they also premiered a new Surf Film called 180 South at the shop. Here' a short video of what went down, check it out!


Patagonia Torquay Summer Board Swap/180 South Premiere 2011 from Patagonia Australia on Vimeo.

Surfings own Spandex - FibreFlex

From Stab mag: http://www.stabmag.com/elliot/dane-reynolds-on-a-fibreflex

Yup, it's another Dane Reynolds clip. And yup, it's a little older. But, see that little raft that's looking so good under the feet of surfing's most reluctant star? It ain't a Channel Island like he usually rides. And if you're as intrigued by equipment as we are, you'll be interested to know that Dane is actually riding a Hayden Shapes Fibreflex 'Psychedelic Germ'. It's Warren Smith's signature board with the Australian shaper and it's a funny-lookin' thing. A while back, when Dane was in Cabo, Mexico, shaper Hayden Cox flowed the Venturan one of his FibreFlex designs. Sure seems to go well for him. We thought we'd call Hayden and find out a little more…

Stab: What kinda craft did y'give him?
Hayden Cox: I shaped him a FibreFlex number so he could get a feel for the technology. He frothed on it, he really enjoyed that board. It was a different shape to what he usually rides, but the main idea was just to get a FibreFlex under his feet. He loved the spring in it.

How did it come about? I lined it up through (Craig) Ando and just shaped something with the FibreFlex tech. I wanted Channel Islands (CI) to have a look at the technology and that's probably the easiest way, just get one of their riders to have a go and then give the feedback to CI and hopefully there can end up being a few CI models in it. I flowed it to him free, no problems there. It was just the one, I'm not shaping boards for him or anything. It's just to hopefully get a CI model with the FibreFlex tech, maybe a Dumpster Diver or something. That thing'd go sick with that technology. It'd be super fast and fun.

Did he know he was getting one? I just sent it to him. He turned up for the trip, looked at it and went, "Ah, this thing isn't gonna go." Then first wave, he did that air-reverse in the clip (above, 19 seconds in). First wave, he just nailed it. It's cool to get guys of that calibre jumping on the technology and getting a real feel for what it's about.

Were you expecting him to ride it? Ah, you just keep your fingers crossed. You shape some boards occasionally for crew and a lot of the time (them riding it) never happens.

How'd you go about the dimensions? I based it on his Proton models that he was riding at J-Bay, which was around the time I shaped it for him. He had the 6'1". I walked past him once in Japan, years ago, so I sort of had an idea how big he was and went from there. It was a bit of a stab in the dark really, but it worked out in the end. I was stoked that he was frothing on the tech and that it ended up in a Quiksilver campaign.

Was the board a one-off? That particular model is the signature Warren Smith model, the Psychedelic Germ. It's got my Cool Crazy concave outlines happening on it. It's a really weird board to start off with, but that's what'll sometimes intrigue a pro. They get a lot of performance shortboards all the time and something different will make 'em go, "Woah, what the hell is this gonna surf like?" You can really see it in his surfing, some of the turns you notice how fast the board reacts. How fast it turns in a really tight radius. They're a sick little model. Hard to get off. I was talking to Ando yesterday and he's always wigging out, saying "This board's so sick but I maybe need to do some turns on a shortboard for video sections." I'm like, "I dunno, short boards don't go as well as fun boards. That's just the way it is."

BASIC OVERVIEW OF FIBREFLEX

The FiberFlex EPS is a completely custom surfboard shaped out of high density EPS foam with a parabolic carbon fiber frame to create a board with a high energy, rapid spring back resulting in ultimate speed and drive.




If you want to check out the finer details of this glide (read flex/twist and rippness) go to: http://www.fiberflexsurfboards.com/page_var186

It looks like a bunch of shapers globally can use this technology, seems pretty rad, anything that is going to get me surfing better and tighter then I am game, I just wonder what the price of these suckers are??

Dane looked like he liked it!

Slyde.

THRILLS & SPILLS

Dane Reynolds is unique, in the way he surfs and the way he thinks, acts, writes and wants to live, go and check out his site and you can look into his brain, some interesting stuff...

http://www.marinelayerproductions.com/

SWEET POTATO - MORE OF THE FAT BOTTOM GIRL TREND

More marketing hoopla on fat ass hybrid boards, we have been through this, now Firewire cashes in, even though I look at this as another version of everybody els's, I am so stoked that board manufactureres are thinking and getting out of the box.

My take, get your local shaper to make you a version of your own, you only going to ride it every so often, so you dont need to drop huge $$ on a unbreakable, forever surfable Firewire! That said, they do look sweet!

In the clip below, Chuey Reyna gives us the scoop on the new Sweet Potato Surfboard from Firewire. For those smaller days or if you just want to get off your longboard and feel young again, then definitely try the Sweet Potato or shape your own bad boy...



And some more of the Sweetness, actaully better than the Firewire official version...



Vid on how the board rides, looks much like the glide of my Trunk board and Flying Vee, looks great.



Slyde.

CASH IN, USE A PILLOW

NOHO is a new and innovative useless, money grabbing surf balance trainer. In seconds, the NOHO Surf Trainer transforms any surfboard into a training platform. This balance trainer enables a surfer to practice the techniques of turning, cross-stepping, noseriding, switch-stance surfing, and style development, all while experiencing the rail-to-rail motion of riding a surfboard on water.

Try some pillows under your board, same same but different...



Slyde.

KELLY TESTING QUIVER

And Kelly on his 2009 boards...



Enjoy, Ta NCN.

Slyde.

Joel Tudor Duct Tape Invitational - VANS

I love the way Surfline wrote about the Vans Duc Tape Invitational, this is the coolest event that I have seen in a long time. It is something that I alluded to in the KZN Longboard trials, just a bunch of people doing what they love, Longboarding is the new counter culture of surfing, no brands, no gnarly moves, just happiness :)

Text from Surfline article: http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/joel-tudor-brings-vans-duct-tape-invitational-to-santa-cruz-alex-knost-takes-first_51713/

It sounds counter-intuitive, but Longboarding is the new punk. Think about it for a second. Making it as a pro surfer today means riding a sticker swather 5'11 thruster, sporting logos head-to-toe, endlessly battling for ASP ratings and submitting the most popular innersctions part.

Those that stray from the formula, rarely make a name for themselves in surfing. Not only do Longboarders deviate from the prototype simply by choosing to ride un-evolved craft, but they cringe at flashy logos, rarely compete and hardly make a buck.

Event winner Alex Knost.

The DIY image stems from necessity -- but they've embraced it, making a whole new culture within surfing.

Aside from timed heats and judges to score rides, the Duct Tape Invitational doesn't boast the rules of a conventional surf competition. Instead, boards must weigh at least 12 pounds, single fins only, no leashes permitted and burning other contestants is encouraged.

And Joel Tudor couldn't have asked for a better event. "Most contests, you don't have this kind of environment where everyone hangs out afterwards and skates," said the 34-year-old. "For me, that was the highlight of the entire thing -- everyone hanging out on the grassy knoll, watching each other skate."

"I think that if you can make a check from surfing, that's great," continued Joel. "But it's more fun to hang out with your friends than the guy who caught the best wave."

No one's judging whether it's better to exist inside or outside the pro surfer model. It's just refreshing to see something different. And showing some regard for surfing's forefathers and innovators is always nice.

Love the double wave prize!

Slyde

LOGGING ON...



Today I participated in the first of the Natal Longboard Trials, which will decide the team for SA Champs, to be held in Durban this coming May. What a great social occasion, all the best people, doing what they love, there are no ego's, its just a bunch of young and old who dig the vibe of the glide, who want to swop board dimensions, fin characteristics, to encourage the grom's, support a family member or just hang out and catch up with old friends.

It’s not all about heat scores and placings, we all want to make the team, don’t get me wrong. It’s an important place, if surfing is what you are passionate about.

I got the opportunity to check out some longboards and one of Hugh Thompson's Natural Curve boards caught my eye, a great looking all round board, that looks like it’s got the full bag of tricks, nose riding to tail blocking. Some of the guys took this board for a bang and all the reports were positive, Hugh himself rode it in his heat, which says a lot, a man with enough local and national surfing trophies in his cupboard to rival Kelly.

Hugh Thompson standing next to the much talked about board, and some other pics of the 9'0 x 22 1/2 x 2 1/2 (dimensions mentioned from memory) Natural Curve, it has a box fin with trailors.

I bought the new H1 FCS fins, they look great, and have the new Nexus technology (stiff bottom for drive and flexy tip for the vorsprung durch technik). They seem to going really well, they pretty big, although seem to have a lot of flex, I super keen to try them in big surf!

That being said, I also tried a mate's FCS H2 setup, the set up made the board surprisingly loose, i thought that due to the splay of the fins, it would have made the board stiff and tight. I prefer my set up, it allows me the heavier guy more control, and I have the extra beef to push the bigger fins around. But if you are lighter chappy, then the below setup may be for you.

and finally some other fin set up's that caught my eye: H2 Quad set up, and new the Ignition FCS single fin with FCS GX 0 trailors.

It was a great day!

FIN ME UP SCOTTY

Fins! Choosing the right kind of fin is like trying to decode your medical aid contract or buying life insurance, its so damn difficult to figure out the small print. I have just invested in some fin technology that you need a science degree to operate and a gold card to acquire (I wish my wallet was bulging like my stomach after a gluttony fueled Xmas).


So what did I mortgage my house for, the FCS H3 Nexus, there are only 20 sets of these mofo's in the country, so I have a golden surfing orb that is supposed to take my surfing into the stratosphere ( I hope!!). These suckers are supposed to propell you forward into the realm of Kelly Slater and co, lets see what the marketing shpeal is all about:

 

"The FCS H3 Nexus fins give me a burst of speed and acceleration right before I hit the lip. It's a fast fin, and when you have speed you have more options" - Dion Agius


From the moment you ride the FCS H3 Nexus you’ll realize this fin has something special.
This transition between turns is where most surfers struggle to maintain speed. FCS has solved this problem by designing the H3 Nexus, a fin with a highly efficient template, material stability, minimal drag characteristics, and above all, unparalleled flex properties!


Sh*t, at approx R850 for a set, these puppies better make me coffee!


These fins are constructed, from what must be parts from an aborted Apollo space mission:
FCS H3 Nexus Foil: Super Efficient = better drive, hold and stability
FCS H3 Nexus Template: Low Aspect w/ Elliptical Template = increased speed and drive through minimal water disturbance
FCS H3 Nexus Construction: Bi-axial Carbon and Uni-directional Kevlar = increases stiffness in the base of the fin, and helps to distribute pressure away from the plugs by reducing the twisting forces on the fin tabs
The waves have been kak, so I havnt taken them out for a test drive, I hope they work!


Check out video of some emo oke discussing the FCS H3 NEXUS.





And the FCS version, with no emo douche.





This is not a product placement, this is hoping that technology will improve my glide.


Slyde.

SPEED = PERFORMANCE

Why do the pro's all use jet ski's to yank them into waves when their handlers sponsors want promo shots, because speed give you the ability to surf like superman at a disco jol!

One man who understands this and is pushing the limits is Dan Thompson, “For me, it’s all about top end speed. The more speed I can generate; the more radical my performance potential becomes”. He has designed a range of boards called the MPH (Modern Planing Hull), basically this is a design category for modern high performance surfing.

One the boards called a TOMO (MPH), "The TOMO MPH is like an extension of a surfers body. A mind surfing experience…. just pick your lines, and the board does the rest. Almost, like you can forget about a board beneath your feet altogether and just interact with the energy in the wave."

Check these boards out, they look like the bad boys I have being trying to develop:

Dan Thompson is pushing the technological side of surfboards (if you don’t know check out his shapes at http://tomosurfboards.com/). He is not that shabby at surfing either, he tests all his innovative creations. Dan shreds his home point break in Australia on a 5’4 tri fin planing hull called the Nano. According to Dan this board is “a 6’0 hp thruster with 4 inches chopped from the tail and 4 inches chopped from the nose. With only the functional parts remaining. Outline has then been straightened and foiled for drive and to maximising planing speed. Result is shorter, compact board with plenty of drive and control when its needed. Higher speeds + higher control = higher performance.”



This post was allowed due to Nig, and http://www.korduroy.tv/category/blog

Slyde.

Dan Malloy & Dane Reynolds Board Swap

Ride shotgun with Dan Malloy and Dane Reynolds as they cruise from their Ventura homes to Emma Wood State Beach for a quiver swap. This insider look at their modes of surfing comes to a head as they trade—and ride—everything from homemade hunks to foiled Fryes.

Thanks to a mate for letting me onto this, you know.



For more check out www.surfersjournal.com.

Slyde.

CHANNEL ISLANDS DEMO DAY

Sunday 2nd of Jan, I walk onto Cape St. Francis beachy to find a second coming Xmas, under a tee pee of love, embedded in sand were 10-12 of the hottest honey's, a bunch of Channel Island boards to test drive all day, FOR FREE! I almost creamed my pants!

I checked out all the honeys and then rode them all in small 2 foot shorey with nice long walls if you got the right wave, I surfed these CI babies all day long, my arms, chest, tits and back were wrecked come day end.

MY TOPS: POD
Deep concaves with a foiled nose and a swallow tail keep the Pod lively and maintains its high performance. The “snub” nose puts volume forward, allowing for maximum planing and wave catching. The wide, curvy outline makes the Pod friendly for all levels of surfers. Punts, turns, you can do it all. A summer favorite!

I also made love too rode:
Dumspter Diver - Short, wide and ugly, but fun and fast.
The Biscuit - Fat bitch, you catch waves easy peasy, but you have to be Rob Machado to look good on this beast!
The Whip (red rails in pic above) - I didnt ride this board, but it looks great, i would go as far to say that its a better looking board than the Dumpster, this board is kinda fat, faster and forgiving, shi*t what more do you want! If you’re looking for a board that excels when your shortboard seems to bog, this is the board for you.

At the end of the day, these boards are all great, really great, but I have just had a session on my new Inflight (The Mullet in below pic) and it rocketed down the line and off the lip, it felt great, and made me look good. That board cost me (all in) approx R1700, I bought the blank myself, bought the fin plugs myself and paid for Vaughn Maccink to shape it and glass it. What I am trying to get at is, is a Channel Islands worth R4500? I dont think so (in my opinion), the boards are great, really great, I just dig turning over new boards and ultimately cant afford the Channel Island price tag.

Here's to a good year of waves.

Slyde.