Low entry rocker to high tail rocker
Medium entry medium tail rocker.
etc.
I’ve gone through the archives and learned enough to really confuse me.
I surf probably 50/50 and start my turns on the rail probably just rear of center and weight my back foot after hitting the lip or when trying to change directions. I just don’t get the tight radius turns I’d like. Age and injury has taken it’s toll and can’t rely on the back foot like I used to.
I currently surf a 6-2 x 19 x 2 9/16 Flyer 2. I’m 5-8 185. I notice my rear foot is rarely any further back than on top of the side fin boxes. I have noticed occaisonaly when I turn a little hard I dig the forward rail to some degree, even throw some water with it through the turn which I suspect means the rail is totally submerging in the beginning of the turn.
My theory is that I would want a board with a medium nose rocker and tail rocker that starts forward of the rear fins. I thought about a board with the wide point slightly forward of center ( CI M4) but think the wide point forward would hinder a tight radius turn. That’s why I thought more nose rocker would keep the forward rail out of the water. I suspect that I have no idea what I really need including size and dimensions.
Any advice from someone that surfs from similar points or can help me understand what I should be looking for would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
How’bout waves?
2ft…20ft?
Quads and Twins turn tight.
Waist toe head high or so beachbreak/point breaks. Everyday all arounder.
Flyer2 is a racier shape than the Flyer.
Dont know your age but if youre getting up there,
those board dims seem insufficient for a 185 pounder.
Sure some guys your size can rip, but that doesnt sound like your sitch.
You can keep the length, but more width and fuller rails will be an improvement.
You could easily go 20 wide, which could also allow a more curvy outline.
Let a competent shaper do the rocker details.
Four finners work great to tighten turns in small everyday surf.
Your fins have a big influence on how the board turns…
never ignore this, check to see if your fins are set right.
Tightening the 3 cluster will affect turns, as does fin rake and other factors.
Experiment with fins, its one of the most effective ways to tune your board.
Screw everything you’ve read or been told regarding shapes and dimensions and congratulate yourself on being able to identify what’s not working. (For you)
Imagine what’s going on when you bank a turn and consider variables in outline, rail foil and tail rocker. If you are burying too much rail, a logical first step is fatten the mid rail and maybe kick the tail a bit. Combined with a slightly more curvy outline and you may be headed in the right direction.
It may also be that you’re just riding too small of a board in weak waves that don’t have enough punch. Magazine photos often show pros burying the entire rail to the extent that at times the tip of the nose might be submerged… they are carrying a lot of speed into those maneuvers. Attempting the same on a wave that isn’t really getting the board on plane isn’t going to work.