Surfing and technology

by **surf doc** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:17 pm

I was browsing a well known surf forecast website today, when I came across an ad for a surfboard with twin jets powered with a lithium battery. Suddenly I had a vision of the future where lineups were crowded not only with other surfers, SUPers, bodyboarders, but also with those on jet propelled surfboards.

Now I know you could probably argue both for and against the introduction of technology into surfing, but I feel that this particular example would be a perversion of sorts. Part of what makes surfing special is that it's relatively technology free, it helps us to unplug from a society that has become dependent on our devices and gadgets. Obviously there is some hypocrisy in my post as I discovered this jet powered surfboard while using a computer to stream surf forecasts, but there has to be a line somewhere.

I am not trying to bash this intentionally un-named company and actually applaud them for their creativity. I just worry about the implications this technology could have on our sport, especially as it becomes more and more accessible and affordable and works its way into our lineups.

by **Surf Hound** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:02 am

Yep my thoughts to at first. After thinking on it for awhile I have embraced it and actually demo'd the short and long board on Nov 29th at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. Got to admit, it was fun! Belive it or not I was breathing hard after just a few rides. Thing is you are actually surfing more than normal because you can catch everything in site. Picture it as surfing for 30 minutes straight. The cost of the board is $4500 so I would think the line up will not be over run with those self propelled boards but I can tell you this, my order is in and I should have it May 5th. I figure at 42 years or age I gotta catch every wave I can, though I would imagine I will normally free surf most of the time but on small days when the surf is not so great I will use the thing and get my wave count up.

by **tony g** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:20 am

Are the shapes any good? Do they ride like a real surfboard or a slug? I am curious about them. Does all the weight of the motor and battery effects the ride. How fast do they go? Are they quiet, or noisy? I have always liked the simplicity of surfing. The paddling out, duck diving, sittting on my board, talking to my bros, escaping the real world for awhile. It would be much different.

by **jaffa1949** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:39 am

Surf Hound wrote:Yep my thoughts to at first. After thinking on it for awhile I have embraced it and actually demo'd the short and long board on Nov 29th at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. Got to admit, it was fun! Belive it or not I was breathing hard after just a few rides. Thing is you are actually surfing more than normal because you can catch everything in site. Picture it as surfing for 30 minutes straight. The cost of the board is $4500 so I would think the line up will not be over run with those self propelled boards but I can tell you this, my order is in and I should have it May 5th. I figure at 42 years or age I gotta catch every wave I can, though I would imagine I will normally free surf most of the time but on small days when the surf is not so great I will use the thing and get my wave count up.

The thought of these things in the line up worry me greatly.

We are currently having issues with SUPs and personal watercraft ( now the craft themselves are no problem as they need a rider, and it is here the situations begin.
Powered craft , from paddles up, enable the unaware and arrogant ( these are the attitudinal problems ) to get a entry to areas they could not otherwise achieve.

In Australia there is an enforceable mandatory distances personal water craft, ( jetskis and motorised boards) have to stay from surfers and swimmers.
The noteable exceptions are at tow in spots, there is no issue there are these spots are expert only by their sheer nature.

I think that it would only take two of these motorised boards to overrun a break as they can be back in position almost before the next set.
And I believe that in stating "I've gotta catch every wave I can" will be a part of the problem when everyone takes that up and someone who has shelled out $4000+ will feel a little more entitled to claim any wave. I watched it happen with older executive guys returning/taking up surfing on longboards and now SUPs and also Jetskis, surf skis and more recently at my home break, kayaks.

You sound reasonable in your approach hound, but we know that plenty of others will not be.

by **tony g** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:09 am

I like the fact that surfing is difficult and you have to put your time in to get any good at it. learning to surf takes time because their is a lot to learn out there. The guys that put the time in get rewarded when the waves get good. Having motorized surfboards out there would make things much different, and I think it will be very controversial to say the least.

by **drowningbitbybit** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:14 am

Ooh, when that executive on his new $4000 toy paddles out at Ours, things are gonna get interesting real quick...

by **jaffa1949** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:47 pm

drowningbitbybit wrote:Ooh, when that executive on his new $4000 toy paddles out at Ours, things are gonna get interesting real quick...

Make sure you get you camera down for it and sell sell sell to the tabloids or enter it on funniest home videos, :lol:

by **Surf Hound** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:04 am

The board rides very good. Once you are on the wave you cant really feel the motor or its effects other than you do power through your turns a bit more. I rode the 7'1" shorty and 9'4" long. I beleive the line up will consist of the 7'1", 9'4", SUP, and a motorized rescue board, there is not going to be a whole lot of diversity with the boards they make. The board was fun to ride but again I am 42 and I am not ripping a wave apart- more just carving lines and turns is my riding style which both of the boards performed well. I typically ride my 9'4" as my everyday board but on nice days of waves say 4-5 I bring out my 6'10" or if it really glassy and little wind I will ride my 6'10 on 2-3' days. Basically I ride my 9'4" the majority of the time unless the waves are pumping or we are having fantastic conditions I will ride my shorter boards. I cannot keep up the paddle on non "ideal" days so I use my long board. I think I will probably use this motorized board in less than ideal conditions as the same I use my SUP. As far as wave hogging etc. I hate it and stay away from these crowded waves or aggro crowds. Typicaly I surf with the same bunch of guys in the morning and we all follow the rules of the line up which makes it a great surf spot. If you ride a SUP, a 11' log, motorized board, 5' Fish or whatever and you are taking off on every wave coming though then you are a dick. Its not the board, it's the rider and just because you can catch every wave doesn't mean you should. Respect the rules of the line up and everyone gets along and has a great time. If I was not starting to feel the effects of age I would never consider this motorized board. However, the truth is I can't surf as much as I want to just because my body wont let me. If this motorized board lets me get into the line up more than now I am all in!

by **jaffa1949** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:54 am

At 62 I'll see you and raise you 20.

I hear that you are reasonable ,it's the other guys.

Is there an exercise and health program that can get you I shape for surfing more under your own power?
But a little day device could be a good thing.
I'm always amazed by the guys who play golf from a buggy as fitness program, still for them it's out in the forest air and some walking, much better than nothing at all.

What does the beastie weigh?

by **garbarrage** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:06 pm

Anyone got a link to a video of it? I'd nearly buy one to wreck the heads of wave-hogs with lol.

by **Tassiedevil** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:40 pm

Is the board called a wave jet ? As a reasonably fit 48 year old surfing is great for my fitness but I could see this greatly increasing my surf time .
I could also see great benefits on those days here when all I do is paddle upwind when the 40 knot westerlies rip through . Could also duck from point break to point break if I am getting bored .
I can understand your concerns at the more crowded breaks but on a crowded day here we would be lucky to have 10 out so doesn't really apply in my part of Tassie .
How do you control the speed surf hound . How long can you surf for before the battery is flat

by **Roy Stewart** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:31 am

Bring them on I'll just roast them......

Anyone who sees paddling as a chore is a loser.

by **Tassiedevil** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 8:57 pm

Mate for me surfing is all about having fun .If having one of these boards means I can go to my local beach with just me and the waves and the sand ( still too cold for the topless Taswegians) , and catch every wave that comes my way for hour after hour then I would be one very happy loser with one hell of a big smile on my dial .
Wondering if the wind came up and I grabbed my sailboard does the fact my board is now sail powered not paddle powered make me a loser as well .
Not all breaks are like Surfers Paradise where people are competing for every wave . Have been to Surfers absolutely hated it . But I can see why you people from crowded breaks have concerns with regards to these boards .