So we have an un-seasonal nice late winter swell rolling through SoCal this weekend. Nothing epic but enough to provide a little energy in the 3-6’+ range. Both C-Street and Rincon were running nice rights with this NW swell, 280-310 deg.
1st impressions of the Turbo Tunnel
As the few post that had positive things to say (in the think the Turbo Tunnel is stupid thread http://www.swaylocks.com/forum/gforum.cgi?post=211831#211831) about the Turbo Tunnel fin said, it is great for Nose Riding, but not sure beyond that.
My board is not a nose rider, but rather a cruiser. It is 10’6"x17.5"(n)x24.5"x14.75"(t)x~4". It also is a fairly flat rocker, 10’7"H +3/4" nose last 24" and +1/4" tail last 24". It has 50/50 soft rails all around and considerable belly through out. It has been a fair nose rider, but not great.
previous experience
I’ve been able to consistently get both feet into the front 30" or so, usually the left foot up around 12-18" from the tip and the right foot around 30".
the Turbo Tunnel
Nose riding, considerable improved. I consistently got both feet further forward and for longer rides on the nose. Yeah I never wrapped toes but I did have both feet in the first 12" a few times. Nose riding also seemed to be less critical as to where on the wave: in the walled up portion, out on the flats, drops (a little wind chop), connecting sections…
down side
My board has never been great at turning from the center, but it was even worse with the Turbo Tunnel. My normal riding style has been drop, turn, trim, feel it start to accelerate into a critical section and head to the nose, cross step back as I get out to the shoulder. With the Turbo Tunnel I never felt the trim speed. As a result I’d just go straight to the nose and stay there through the critical sections and when connection sections. After a few failed attempts of trying cutbacks and such I just gave up. Tail turns seemed to dump too much speed. I’ll need to trying more turning with the fin to see if it is just a matter of learning how it wants to do it, or if it is just not a turning fin.
disclaimer
I have never had a suitable fin on my board and certainly not a nose riding fin, so who is to say the Turbo Tunnel is better than a more suitable fin, but it did considerable improve the nose riding for me on my board. Note I did not play with fin position and that may help to improve turning. I had the fin set with leading edge at about 16” from tail. That would be at the front of a standard box placed 6” from tail. I have a 15” box starting at 5” so I’ll have more room to play. I have been running my fins in what would have been the middle of a standard box.
Well so there is a first impression after 1 day, 2 sessions, and two different point breaks in average to better medium size surf.
