from the description these sound like what hull’s would have evolved into if the hydroplane surfboard hadn’t taken root.
For some surfers yes, for others, no!
I just spent a couple of weeks on the Gold Coast, and I can vouch for there being a huge number of people ripping on wafers… unreal level of talent there. And these ARE your “average surfer” in that part of the world.
What the article immediately made me feel is that everyone is trying to make a silver bullet, a one-size-fits-all surfboard… thats the real hoax.
McCoy saying that the nugget is the only board worth riding is just the same as everyone claiming that a WCT surfer’s thruster is what everyone needs.
Simply not realistic.
The nugget will fit some surfers like a glove, others will throw it away, and proceed to go upside down in the pocket on a 2" chip.
The reverse is completely true, and there’s a multitude of board designs out there, one of which will be magic for the right person.
No detraction from McCoy intented, but it seems like many prominant shapers are pushing the same thing - their way or no way.
After meeting Huie and seeing the huge variety that was in just the 5 or 6 boards that were in his workshop at the time, it was refreshing to see someone who is prepared to build different boards for different needs.
I don’t disagree. It does get tiresome for some shapers to say only they can do this or that. We are " not " talking about rocket science. However, some designs are easier to copy than others and shapers who do a lot of one design know it much better than shapers who do many different designs and try and wing it on a design they don’t ride, likely don’t believe in and are not familiar with.
Some boards are quite versitile. Not because some guru shaped it, but because whoever did the shaping used common sense concepts that are well known to work to those who have been around awhile. Sometimes these things seem new, because surfing design did pass through some " lost " years with regards to experimentation awhile back.
Now some of what is old or tried and true is new again.
With regards to Mccoy. The lazor zap became the modern thruster and the modern thruster became ultra refined for mostly smaller surfers or pro tour elite. Now the same person who created the lazor zap has created pretty much the same basic design, only more user friendly to a wider variety of folks. It’s about as simply as that. If you have the ability to surf well, then you will surf well on a nugget. If not, you will still have fun. That is not the same with a modern shortboard. If you can’t surf fairly well, your going to struggle with the modern thruster.
There's still a lot of room between a modern shortboard and a nugget, a lot of room for something which is functional and performs well in a variety of conditions, suits a variety of skill levels, and is easy to ride.
We've already seen parts of it, maybe even all the parts. Just got to put all the right parts together.
There's still a lot of room between a modern shortboard and a nugget
Great point Wildy. I have seen a few from various shapers. Wider,thicker,flatter versions. I like the look of a few of them. Can't see why they wouldn't work. I still want to try a nugget though!
[quote="$1"]
For some surfers yes, for others, no!
I just spent a couple of weeks on the Gold Coast, and I can vouch for there being a huge number of people ripping on wafers.... unreal level of talent there. And these ARE your "average surfer" in that part of the world.
I agree, but only at "A list" surf spots, during good conditions etc. These guys are on it! In most areas there are miles of less prestigious surf able beaches, occupied by surfers of various abilities, if you go to some, you might realize the majority of the "regular" spots have a much lower success-on-a-chip ratio. To clarify: I am saying the average surfers you speak of are at above average breaks. I think if the the wafer model manufacturers went surfing with random end use customers they would, (or should ), be embarrased to watch them strugle to get some decent rides.
Sickdog
I fully agree.
On the Goldy performance shortboards are king.
My mates in Holland ride wide-nosed “Funboards”, cos thats what their waves dictate.
Different people, different waves, different strokes different folks.
Y’know, I have no problem with people struggling on matchsticks. If they are so fashion oriented that they have to copy the pros, or are too lazy to educate themselves, then thats their problem.
Sure, shapers could tailor a board to an individuals needs, but I don’t know anyone who has actually talked to a shaper honestly about how they surf… most just walk in the shop and put in an order for “what Kelly’s riding”.
I’d love to try a nugget, I think it would suit me. But at a guess i’d say it wouldn’t suit the waves I ride - Overhead super-sucky beachbreaks.
Actually super sucky beach breaks is where nuggets and lazor zaps shine. I loved the comment about surfers talking to shapers honestly about ability. One Hawaiian shaper and I were joking about how we were the only average surfers we knew. Everyone else was an above average surfer.
Ha, just goes to show I don’t really know anything about them 
Maybe i’ll attempt to make one sometime, i’m still searching for my ideal board, and I think most “average” surfers never find it!
im dissapointed you didnt call in to my shop when i was there Kit, you may have found some difference to your run of the mill surfshop…
Feral,
I have always liked your whole trip. Seems like one of the unique things that keeps many of us drawn to our sport.
Dave, I was fully intending to drop in and meet ya!
I'll just have to admit to slackness and also being surfed out! The first week was that swell at the end of June, suddenly having 2 - 3 surfs a day just killed me.
Then most of the second week I was down in Melbourne, got to drop in on Josh though. He's doing awesome stuff down there!
Next time i'm over i'll definitely call in mate!
Kit
and that has bit me in the butt! I told both of the last three shapers I have gotten boards from I was an intermediate level surfer looking for a board of such as such size for what waves and where I was trying to take my surfing and one of them made me a board for a kook.
whether his theories are right about the rails or not , I respect him for speaking his mind and not giving a shit about the industry and what others think...surfing is way too full of sheep and it is rare to see someone sticking to their guns when it is not what the majority agree with and it definitely isnt helping him financially compared to if he was to have hot sponsored guys riding high performance thrusters with his logo on them....and shaping in a shitty shed in his backyard after all his experiance, there is something soulful about that to me....he may be a grumpy and bitter old guy or he may just be onto it ??? surfing everyday and shaping boards that he believes in...I say good on him.....maybe I can shape a few dome bottoms ??? I dont think his nuggets are any great new design breakthrough but they serve a purpose, meet a need for some surfers and some really enjoy their perormance so good for them...each to their own...interesting guy and a good read.....
He already had all the hot sponsored pros, his connections with some of the major brands you see today will go unnoticed and un credited. A quick list of world champs that have ridden Mccoys even if they were not sponsored by them: Mark Richards got his start with Mccoy, Damian Hardman was a Mccoy sponsored kid, Cheyne Horan is a well known Mccoy rider, Occy rode Mccoys, Tom Curren rode a few, Jeff Hackman, Shaun Tomson, Larry Blair, Grant Oliver, Nat Young and a host of others have ridden them over the years. Before Al Merrick there was Mccoy.
That is why he went to the shed in my opinion. The plastic bull crap from the industry either sucks you in and makes you one of the zombies, ruins you or strengthens you to do your own thing better.