Hey guys any info on the fireball fish tom curren rode in those big waves??. Dims etc??
Cheers
Used to be an interesting thread on here about it. Disappeared into the search function abyss I suppose.
Curren made the incredibly difficult look relatively easy at Hinakos.
Hey Beery, I can only try…
Not much in the way of Dims…Shaped by Tom Petersen. The actual one was on display at one point in “Surf-Dive’n-Ski”…not alot different to the stock ones I felt up. Six channels stopping like a second tail outline just before the swallow was an interesting concept…keep the tail looser than a six channel by rights…
Scant I know, but…
Josh
Try sfsurf.com’s contact email. The shaper grabbed a template from the original.
It may be difficult to get him to respond…
Thanks for the help guys, i’ll follow them up.
Cheers
The fireball fish was shaped by Dennis Jarvis (SPYDER SURFBOARDS) HERMOSA BEACH. SEND HIM AN EMAIL AND ASK HIM. ALWAYS ASK FOR PERMISSON FIRST IF THE SHAPER IS ALIVE. DENNIS IS SUPER NICE SO I’M SURE HE WILL HELP YOU OUT! DENNIS IS AN AMAZING SHAPER.
SD
Beerfan the original “Fireball” or “Fireballs” by Tommy Peterson as they were customely called had a few variations to them ,namely deck designs and rocker as well as where the step is placed according to the board shape.Tommy had 2 different outlines that he did as well and these corresponded with his placement of the step…I’ve shaped hundreds of these boards over the years and am very familiar with the designs.The particular board TC rode in that clip was actually a friend of mine’s board which TC borrowed and he liked it so much and was given the board.At the time he had 3 in his quiver,but if memory serves me correct that was either a 5’6" or the 5’8".
Please go on …
We’re freaks for details here - what step ? how about the channels ? how wide mid tail and nose ?
and … wait for it … got any pics ?!
Yeah man that’s the stuff ! Cool.
Beery did you ever get on to Oneula about that ( I think ) Fireball inspired Bushman he had ?
I think there’s a couple shots of it on his suffermag photo file
This is a 5’7 x 19" x 2.18" with different step and nose.Luckily with the right tools developed just for these types of boards,i can get the channels done accurately in around 15 - 20 mins.The step is pre-determined for each customers/shops needs and is pre-cut on a cnc machine to save time by hand and for highest consistency.I design in shape 3-d and then re-edit the program for the step.When i have the time i will re write the program to do the channels as well.
Hey Beerfan, cool name by the way. Arent we all (fans of beer, that is!)
The actual board Tom rode is at the BASE factory in Burleigh. It was also at Kirra Surf on sale for a while many years back for around $4000.
I don’t know how it got to BASE, but geez it’s a weird little thing. Very flippy nose and thin, mere mortal men could not ride this design in big waves like Tom. That movie Searching for Tom Curren has the best bit of him on it at Bawa in Indo and it’s luck for me on DVD as that part would have had the old worn out video scratches. By all reports that waves is also much heavier than it looks in that movie also…
Cool post and topic.
Chris
Thanx for all the photos , ihonis.
It’s nice when you pro guys take the time to share.
Hey guys thanks a lot for the info. Been busy but its much appreciated. And those pics are sweeet!!!. I posted for someone who was interested in this board, and will probably shape one, knowing him!!.
Amazing!
I remember being in the Beach Beat shop in Maroochydore one day in 1998 and noticed a whole load of Fireball-inspired step-bottom sticks ranging from 5’6" up to 6’4", but against my better judgement I didn’t buy one. They were not Peterson’s, but were shaped by Neal Purchase Sr, I believe (but I may be wrong). The guy in the shop said they were templated from Tommy’s boards and he was singing their praises. It may still be possible to get hold of Neal who may then be able to help further.
I’m also aware that Frankie Oberholzer is shaping full-time in Natal, South Africa at present. Again, I may be wrong, but I think that Curren borrowed the board from Frankie and ‘forgot’ to give it back! I’m guessing that Frankie would have a good idea about how to shape one now.
I think the board in question was 5’7" x 19 1/4" x 2 1/8". TC also rode it to good effect at Log Cabins, amongst other places.
Here are some more of my step bottoms.I make mine stinger style.They are sooooooo much fun to ride the step acts like a wing on the bottom of your board.
Puttin V in the tail helps catch the raging water that is rushing off that step.Props to Tim Peterson from OZ i think that’s his name .I learned to make these from Dennis Jarvis at Spyder who shaped for Tommy Curren for 5 yrs.Dennis was a top pro in the 80"s and still rips today.I shaped down at Spyder for 2 yrs and Dennis is an amazing shaper.I was very fortunate to learn from him and countless others out of the spotlight.Terry Richardson from OZ Wollonggong taught me also.He was taught by Michael Peterson .Terry Richardson used to shape my boards in the late 80’s and early 90" when I quit for a while.10 boards from Terry all magic shaped by a sureform no planer.10 boards from Merrick half worked at best and the ones that did work were shaped by Allen Gibbons.Allen Shaped for CI for 25 yrs no credit.He is one of the best shapers in the world I think.The step bottom is insane you gotta get one or make one.Try and look up Allen Gibbons on face book and you will see a real channel bottom.My jaw dropped when I saw it.
These step =bottoms are insane .Make shure the step is approx 22" up and loads of V in the tail.Have you tried it yet?.Hats off to Peterson for goin out of the box.Look at boats and surfboards they can learn alot from each other!!!
The Fireball fish was originally shaped by Tom Peterson younger brother of Michael.Tommy Curran Brought one to Dennis back from Australia and Dennis refined them.How do I know? I shaped under Dennis for 2 years.Dennis taught me how to make them & I made my own version with a high wing on the step.Dennis sold the CRAP out of them in the 90’s and last time I saw Dennis 2 months ago he is putting them out again.I have never felt a more liberating feeling than riding a step bottom.I live in Hawaii and will start pumping those babys out for 2010.
By the way glassers hate them!!! A note for others the channels DON’T run off the tail.