5’6” Single Wing Keel Fin Fish

Board Archive 5ft to 5ft 11in
1

Dimensions: 5’6.5” x 21.25” x 2.625”
Year Built: 2024
Shaper: Surfboards By Roy
Manufacturer: Gordon & Smith Surfboards/ Custom SurfGlass
Model Name: “WaterHousing” Fish
Location: San Diego, CA

Description: First shaped for a surf photographer friend in Hawaii (Hence the name), I had always admired the design. This example is the second and reflects slightly smaller keel fins, an extra 1/8” of thickness, and more relaxed rocker for San Diego waves. The intent of the wing is to align with the trailing edge of the fin to enhance release.
Traditional Keel fishes for Hawaii may need some “deadening” techniques to manage the energy there. Raked keels, bladey rails, and the wing all serve to engage and release the energy in harmony. A bit more rocker (the Hawaii edition), slightly less thick at 2 7/16”, and the wing all were intended to soften the acceleration behind powerful Hawaiian surf. My friend has sent me clips of him managing reasonable Sunset Beach on it! He’s been pleased.

Mine is more tuned for my local south San Diego county traditional fish reef riding. To be sure, this is very much a traditional fish so I was dubious and a bit skeptical that I could create one that would thrive in Hawaii. I was pleasantly surprised.

Always grateful for the talented folks at Custom SurfGlass G&S. They of course made some nice foam really come to life.

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IMG_70483024×4032 2.39 MB

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IMG_70473024×4032 2.33 MB

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IMG_84383024×4032 3.05 MB

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IMG_67673024×4032 2.46 MB

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IMG_68011512×2016 1.64 MB

2 Likes
2

Love it. I just did HWS fish. 6/4 on my other topic. Performance mid. We have shaped them similar. I chucked a centerbox in. One of the best things i did. Well done. Love the board.

3

Thanks for the kind words, my friend. I built a TriFin Bonzer swallow tail several years ago. The tail block, if I recall correctly, was 10” which is only about 1” from the archetype fish gateway of 11” in San Diego. I like the center fin too. In fact, I posted previously on stand up derivatives of retro single fin fish kneeboards. Those two boards got 75 percent of my surfing in the past year.