I had no trouble paddling the board out or picking up waves on it. As mentioned the waves were’nt very big, probably waist high, so getting out was easy, no problems getting through the waves. There was a bit of current where I was which made getting onto some waves tricky, but once I cleared that patch, no problems paddling onto waves.
I weigh 70kg and am about 6’, so the board was a good size for me. When weighting I noticed that the board didnt float clear of the water, whilst it’s pretty long and relatively wide, it is fairly thin, especially in the front half. Making it easy to duck dive.
As mentioned the waves were smallish, so it would be interesting to get out into some size. I think it would be great!
Sorry about no pics, I dont even own a digital camera!
Thanks again for giving us all the chance to have a try.
I still have the Auslocks board at Gerringong. I will give Quentin a call and see if he would like to take it for a spin unless someone else over this way would like to get Auslocks wet?
The surf is also finally getting some substance, with some big surf over the weekend.
Lads, I have been watching this for ages, congrats on all involved, and I will throw my hat in the ring now. I am in south oz, and have a wedding in ACT august I think. if board has stalled around the nsw south coast then i can pick it up. prob heading to bells after the wedding and then home, so if thats of any assistance then let me know. otherwise, if it makes it to vicco before then, i can bring it here anytime as i try to head down that way once a month or so.
OK South NSW lockers, looks like it’s time for a move.
It would be great if the board could spend some time in Vicco before it heads west.
I’m going to Bega at Christmas time by car so I’ll be able to pick it up to bring it back to Wozzieland…
W@xhead, how’s the board holding up, any dings etc. I expect some deck dents as the blank was reduced from 6" to 2 3/4". Has it still got the fins that were sent with it?
Auslocks is still in pretty good nick. The deck has virtually no compression dings, but the bottom has a number of dings.
The fins with the board are a black carbon widowmaker set up with the centre fin tab broken just back from where the screw goes through. This was mentioned on a previous message. The two black carbon side fins are there also.
The set on the board currently is a purple bonzer set.
The boardbag and leggie are still with Auslocks and the bubble wrap for a bit of extra protection.
I Gave Quentin from Shoalhaven Heads a call last weekend and will be dropping it down to him on my next visit down that way.
Good stuff mate, the deck surprises me, I thought that would dent first…
If you get a chance can you paint a little 5 min epoxy over the dings on the bottom, I’ve kept the paint I used to do it in the first place so I’ll fix them up properly when it gets back here…
It says in an earlier email that you went from 6’ blank down to 2 3/4". Most of that must have come off the bottom? The dings on the bottom dont have any visible cracks. Do you still want me to coat them with some epoxy?
well , in case ‘quentin’ [hehehehahahaha!] doesn’t get online often [like yours truly] ,
as i happen to be around here today , i’ll answer for him [hopefully he will add any further surf findings] …
okay he said his local was firing
he said the 7’6" " paddled in well,
but slowed down on bottom turns "
[ he rode it with the blue bonzers and matching back fin ,
which apparently [thankfully !] is still intact .]
he said he would be trying the red , white and blue cutdown sky twinnys in it next time …which should give more drive and hold off the bottom , hopefully
It’s all true. Got the board - thanks w4xhead, and thanks again hicksy and all who’ve made it a reality.
From now on I’ll call the board ‘SL06’. Been some good waves around here of late so it was pretty interesting to see how SL06 went in waves with a bit of grunt. Fri arvo and the swell (thankfully) had eased up from about 6-8ft into the 4-6ft range so I knocked off early and gave it a whirl.
Using the big blue back fin and the little blue keels on the side. The boys in the car park had a good chuckle as I unveiled her and had an even bigger giggle (I suspect) watching me get flogged paddling out. Thankfully, snared a good lull and snuck through it - she paddles pretty well (as you’d expect looking at her).
4-6ft sets - beachbreak peaks and clean as a whistle - SL06 paddles so nice - getting into them was the best bit. She goes really good cruising in a straight line.
Most likely my technique - but on the first couple I’d drop straight down the face, get to the bottom then try to ease it around into the pit and but found I was losing a lot of speed through the turn and was basically bogged in the pit - lost all speed and got chewed a couple of times. Angling in worked better. So hard to turn her - needed to get right on the tail or go the hawaii survival stance to get some sort of leverage.
All in all - great fun. A few of the boys were keen to take her for a paddle.
The swell’s disappeared so it’ll be small wave trimming for the next little while. Change a few fins around and see how she goes.
Board’s in great nic - I’ll post a pic or two - and try to get a few more bods to have a paddle. Maybe a week or two and I’ll drop it down to the 'burra.
