[img_assist|nid=1063190|title=Batch of Revolution Stalls|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=637]
nice range of shapes in that pic. the one on the far left is just the ugliest of ducklings, but i bet it goes like a greased goose.
were these all PU/PE, or epoxy or what? the third board looks noticably whiter with a different stringer, but it is the step-up. maybe it’s just the semi-gun blank.
anyway, a super cool run of boards. it’s a real testament to such a capable, well-rounded shaper as Forstall. that pic is the antidote to a batch of “models” off the machine; it celebrates hand craftsmanship and diversity.
-cbg
The Round Pin Semi is poly. The rest are epoxy. The one on the left is an ugly ducking.
I'll have the 2nd and 4th from left please. Nice work as usual mate
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nice range of shapes in that pic. the one on the far left is just the ugliest of ducklings, but i bet it goes like a greased goose.
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I agree, bet it is faster the a greased goose with it's tail on fire.
Is the board on the left designed to help prevent eye injuries? I read an article on this recently about an eye surgeon from sydney along with some respected shaping legends who feel that the nose of a surfboard should come to a point about as round as a jam jar lid so that it can’t physically fit in your eye socket.
Aesthetically we feel that a HPSB surfboard should have a sharp pointed nose, but in a practical and safety sense the nose should be blunt.
I own a few pointed nose boards but I think it’s kind of ridiculous to have a point on a surfboard as adds nothing and can do damage it if hits you. We put it on that board strictly for looks though widening the nose a bit can straighten out the outline a bit.
In the late 70’s, a young man from Cocoa beach came on board with me, Kurt Wilson, Kelly Slater refers to him as one of his main mentors. Kurt immediately asked for blunted off noses, when such designs were NOT fashionable and brought him much crap and distain from other pro’s.
He understood that widening the tip area lengthened the rail line and let a shorter board have more rail ion the water, besides, you’re always the one closest to you own board.
I got speared by my own board at Makaha, started to pearl and dove off the nose, the board lurched forward and got me in the pelvis / groin right on solid bone. A blunt tip would have hurt, but not penetrate
Ross Houston, owner of Atlantic Surfing Materials and the creator of Surf Expo, sent us a Clark Foam style manifesto, it was drawn up by a product liability attorney, the meat of the letter was, if you get sued by a customer for pointed noses / tails or excessively sharp / pointed fins, you are going to HAVE to explain in court as to why this is absolutely neccesary to the function of your product.
Now we all know surfing is an implied risk style of sport, bungee jumping, sky diving, etc.
So something that is NOT in contact with the water and is unlikely to aid in the performance of the board is going to be very difficult to defend in court
From what I understand Channel Island is being sued over fins that are to sharp.
Thats interesting, thanks Jim!!
The article that I read (and can’t find now?) said Al fell off his board whilst surfing and his pointy nosed surfboard poked some girls eye out which promted him to round the nose of some of his boards.
I guess pointy nosed surfboards started during the shortboard revolution and stayed that way ever since? They kind of don’t really serve a purpose?
Boards look unreal Solo, I like the ‘strange’ one on the left the most!!
I also own an small insurance agency. One of the things I always tell business owners is, " It’s not losing a court battle you need to worry about if you don’t have liabllity. " It’s paying the legal bills for fighting the case. " It’s highly unlikely you would lose a case like that if you had insurance, but it’s highly likely that going to court and having the answer those questions would break you. "
It’s not just the pointy nose but the entire plan shape that has closed surfers minds for years of any other possibility but that. I have seen guys who surf on other forums tellling others who post videos how " they " thought their board was holding them back. I always think…based on what? I see guys surfing smooth and killing it and some kid doesn’t think he is ripping enough because he isn’t doing air or 180 hops. There was a time when surfers were inspiring because they had their own unique style and respect earned in the line up. They didn’t allow their own personal expression to be changed by hens of the surfing public. Their ability or coolness was not judged by the board planshape, sponsorship or nose on his board. As I write often. These ideas are just the sad result of an industry built on a sales pitch.
I see no reason what so ever to put a pointy nose on a surfboard. Nothing good comes out of it and much bad can. And who is the one that decided points are sexy? ( the new industry term). I confess, I still do it on customs by request, but it’s not what I push.
John Belik has been putting blunt noses on his performance quads for years. I think it’s funny that when the Von Sol guy used his shapes the only real change he made was making the noses pointy again. Also…I used to own and sell a line of surfboards that was short lived which had the hand with an eye in it and wings. LOL. Nothing new under the sun…I actually got it from the back of an album by the band, " The Cult. "
I was always very impressed with Jim Banks boards, had a mind of his own and didn’t care what others thought of his “platter” syle of shapes.
This was my and team mates quiver at Hatteras in '82, the board directly behind me is Charlie Kuhns board, we both won the East Coast and US championships within one week , Charlie would go from there to 16 th in the world.
All the short boards besides Charlie’s feature blunted noses
In The words of Grace Slick " God Bless his pointy little head."
Jim wanted me to be his rep and sell his boards a few years ago. Nice guy, great surfer and I also like his hybrid shapes.
nice one solo. i like the pintail. hooray for blunt noses