What were once
accepted truths
about board design
construction
and performance
that are now false?
“Red boards go faster”
Obviously not. BLUE boards go faster.
Red boards may not go faster (even though I think they do), but people sure move out of my way faster when I’m on one of my red boards. That’s all I want to ride now. Plus… I have that “bleeding seal” look from below.
Where is Resinhead when we need him?
I don’t know about surfboard designs but wetsuit shorts died pretty fast.
Alas my friend…I am Here!!! Did someone want a bleeding seal? I just got a new set of Harbor freight Machetes. Real nice ones too, plastic handles so they don’t slip. I hate the wooden handle ones…never can get them clean, always smell like rotting flesh after a few weeks.
In my opinion the S deck was one of the worst board design features ever… unless you thought being able to turn was a bad thing.
In my opinion, multiple sets of wings and channels didn’t help performance either.
And… hold on swaylockers… I think more than four fins is excessive. Singlefins surf great.
They need you in La Jolla…
I dare you to say that on the Surfermag design forum. I dare you.
haha… Swaylocks is the only surfboard design forum I post to. But… I’m friends with a lot of the guys at Surfer (and a bunch of the other mags) and I’ve told them how I feel. The funny thing is… even though their audience is all about chips, the guys that have been around long enough are becoming more open to all things surf. If you’ve noticed the last few mags have had shots of girls and longboarders.
I’ve been surfing for 45 years. I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time. The constant for me is… surfing is about MY satisfaction. I could care less what other people ride. I want everyone to do what’s right for them. If that’s riding a 4’10" modern Simms inspired baby twin, an Aussie chip, a 13’ wooden tunnel fin, a towboard, a SUP, or whatever. Have fun.
I still rip circles around most others, even the Surfer Mag guys 
Everything I know is wrong? Yes, as my teenage daughters and wife frequently remind me. Mike
Concaves are faster.
Epoxy boards float better.
Lots of flex is good.
Thicker boards catch waves more easily.
also…all of the above but to the contrary.
Seems like we don’t know much for certain but behave as though we do.
the only way to pursue the real truth
in design is to start out with the
hypothesis that every thing
that everybody assumes as correct
is absolutely and inoquivocably wrong
and rewrite the world view while holding a mirror to
the passing scene,once you can understand it in reverse
you should have a grip on the what’s up doc.
concaves lift
epoxy is resin and it is lighter
flex is indeed god
unless it is in the devils hands…
…ambrose…
about to unleash
the ultimate board design
on the world …
again.