So here is my new board - 7'4 x 22 1/2 x 2 7/8
Now I'm sure when you look at it you instantly thing 'wow, are 80s flouro colours back? Sensational, they are brilliant'.
And, yes, having designed the spray job myself, they are totally in fashion. Or, if not, will be very very soon. I promise. So start getting a new wardrobe...trust me, you will look immensely cool.
Well, actually. I'm sure what you are really thinking 'wtf is with that circle on the nose of the board'. All I can do is quote from the shaper's website:
Here we have a nose concave like no other available----an integral part of the whole design. Rather than blending gradually into the bottom---the concave’s perimeter is deliberately abrupt with a tangible lip. Why? When forward trimming-- downward pressure on the nose from the surfers weight brings this lip into direct water contact. The resulting turbulence creates strong uplift---compensating for their weight and allowing for noseriding (10 over if you’re having an on day)...even on a 7’0’ board. The unique look of this concave is one thing--- but feeling is believing.
Following on from the concave lip is a shallow full width concave----promoting speed----fading into a decent backfoot Spiral Vee for easy rail to rail turns.If you want to read more about the board, its all here
http://www.grantmillersurfboards.com.au/powerglide.aspxSo what's it like?
I've only managed to surf it on small waves so far, so all I can say is:
- very stable. I've been surfing a 9ft1 board for the past 6 or 7 years and havent yet missed a pop up on the new board. In hindsight, I probably could have gone shorter, but going down from 9ft1 to 7ft4 I thought would be a big jump. All credit to the shaper (Grant Miller)
- its thick (right through to the rails) and flat and paddles as well as my long(er) board. I really didnt notice any difference in paddling (other than my feet were getting wet rather than resting on the tail of the board), although you could notice a bit of difference riding the small waves - it doesnt have the as much glide as the longboard in the 1fters (I'm about 85kg so a reasonably heavy surfer). Of course, this is completely expected.
- on the long board, when sitting out in the lineup and then laying down to paddle for a wave, I have to remind myself to go forward a few inches to get the right spot. On the new board, I have to go back a few inches. I did manage to pop up totally in the wrong spot and stood there, and actually had time to think 'um, I'm not sure the nose of the board should be underwater, maybe I should move my front foot back'. Again, credit to the stability of the board.
- I added an extra bit of tail rocker to cope with steeper beach breaks and it seemed to work pretty well (although on 1-2ft waves its not a great test)
Anyway, hopefully will be out on some bigger waves shortly.
Does it nose ride? No idea. I didnt buy it for the noseriding ability, I bought it because it was a local shaper with a good reputation and liked the shape for a 'step down' board. It does have a relatively narrow tail and the width is forward, but I kinda like that shape.
I should add that dealing with the shaper was an absolute pleasure, notwithstanding he suffered a serious back injury just days before taking my order (but has now fully recovered). Anyone in Sydney or southern NSW thinking of a board - and particularly anyone wanting something higher volume - should put Grant on your list (his website above).