Design

Just wanted to pose a question to all design fantatics out there…What do u feel is the most important design factor that has contributed most to the modern surfboard?..I feel the turned down rail was the breakthrough that took shortboards (and to the longboard renaissance)to the next level after the shortboard revolution…

Just wanted to pose a question to all design fantatics out there…What do > u feel is the most important design factor that has contributed most to > the modern surfboard?..I feel the turned down rail was the breakthrough > that took shortboards (and to the longboard renaissance)to the next level > after the shortboard revolution… Foamdust, Great question…but I’m afraid I’m gonna be a spoiler here. I think there’s no one factor involved. There have been too many advancements in hydrodynamic aspects and materials to pin it down to one factor. It would be like asking what is the most important factor that has contributed to the supersonic jet. Fuel, jet engines, pressurized cabins, plastics all effect the design aspects of the jet. Same thing with holds with surfboards. (But if I WERE to pin down the modern surfboard design to one factor – I would say it is the thruster set-up.:wink:

The flat bottom,Herb.

i’d say it would have to be the developments in bottom design -steve

i’d say it would have to be the developments in bottom design -steve Three words, Fin Fin Fin

Close tolerance blanks? I don’t know. This is hard! I like all the answers so far. Cant choose, cant choose…AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!

the thruster design for sure, also foam/fiberglass construction, close tolerance blanks, modern rocker/foil…

Close tolerance blanks? I don’t know. This is hard! I like all the answers > so far. Cant choose, cant choose…AAAHHHHHHHHHHH!! >>>>>>> How about bottom curve, its what most affects the turning radius .p.s. if anyone gets a chance, check out George Greenough’s rocker combo’s, Surfers Journal, volume three, number one. sk

Just wanted to pose a question to all design fantatics out there…What do > u feel is the most important design factor that has contributed most to > the modern surfboard?..I feel the turned down rail was the breakthrough > that took shortboards (and to the longboard renaissance)to the next level > after the shortboard revolution… The single most important design factor that has contributed most to the modern surfboard? That`s easy: ATTITUDE… since the dawn of the shortboard revolution, a dramatic and fundamental change in the way surfers view the act of surfing and its supposed limitations, the creative catalyst behind all subsequent design factors.

The single most important design factor that has contributed most to the > modern surfboard? That`s easy: ATTITUDE… since the dawn of the > shortboard revolution, a dramatic and fundamental change in the way > surfers view the act of surfing and its supposed limitations, the creative > catalyst behind all subsequent design factors. MAYBE PUTTING RAKE IN THE FIN, INSTEAD OF THE BIG SLAB ON THE END OF THE TAIL(EARLY/MID SIXTIES).

there we go… i was going thru withdrawals. we havent had the stu kenson surfer’s journal pic of the day in a while. thanks. ps-thats a great article -steve

i actually prefer that big slab at the end of the tail (on my longboards anyway)

there we go… i was going thru withdrawals. we havent had the stu kenson > surfer’s journal pic of the day in a while. thanks. ps-thats a great > article -steve >>>> Pic of the day steve,Volume five, number three, page 46. I grew up in south orange county and had some friends that lived in H.B. that were pier rats . this photo brings back some good memories. sk

hey stu, im a newport beach pier rat. orange county is the greatest. i have a question about the boards you’re shaping for joel. (first of all they are absolute works of art, coolest things i’ve ever seen)… but where can i get them around orange county? i’ve seen the longboards, also nice, but the eggs are what i am really interested in right now. thanks again -steve

hey stu, im a newport beach pier rat. orange county is the greatest. i > have a question about the boards you’re shaping for joel. (first of all > they are absolute works of art, coolest things i’ve ever seen)… but > where can i get them around orange county? i’ve seen the longboards, also > nice, but the eggs are what i am really interested in right now. thanks > again -steve >>>>> Steve, check with Huntington surf &sport, I’m not sure of what they have in stock right now. Your best bet is to come down to San Diego to Mitch’s surf shop in La Jolla. I Know it’s a bit out of the way for you but they have a very good selection of all the different models we make.As for your Questions feel free to e-mail me at ,best regards sk

My personal pick for important design icon is the reduced area fin designs beginning around 1966 in the States. (I’ve heard tell of Greenough, et. al working with 'em before that) You could put one of these on a 9’10" G&S and start cranking “real” turns! Actually you had to grind away at the fin you had glassed onto your board, or be better friends with a glasser than I was. The true performance level began around this point for longboards from the 60’s. Unless of course you’re going to become a surf historian and figure out what’s more important… foam, balsa, redwood, Morey Boogies?.. Maybe the most important design factor is the grey matter 'twixt our ears!!

I really tripped out when I first saw a down railer in 1970. I thought they would pearl with that turned down eagle beaked nose…but to my surprise they could really haul and were more manuverable too. To me it seemed like a turning point in board design.