I was enjoying my new board (Rusty from Rusty’s hand after 8 months waiting-worth it) on its second voyage out in some fun waves hitting nor cal today when on my way back out one rider decides to go striagt on a close out five feet away from me and right at me! I bailed my stick to save my head and that worked somehow. I generaly am pretty mellow but did snap and all I got was “I was on the wave” whatever that meant? when I examined my board there were 2 deep rail gouges and the deepest at that point where most boards I have snapped break. Now I really kind of lost it and demanded an appoligy plus payment for repair and after heading in and waiting a bit I got my appoligy which was most important to me then he came back with $45 we made up etc…
Will the streangth be comprimised and will flex be affected after repair? I really hope not that board after just 2 mediocre condition sessions has/had a good feel and thats after riding a true fish most of the Summer. I know its spilt milk now buy I am still curious If any one has insight or opinion on this.
At least he was responsible and willing to fess up.
Yes, especially if the board gets stressed in bigger, faster surf, any rail ding can compromise it’s integrity and ability to withstand flex tension, like when a wave breaks right on the spot, or you are riding bigger surf doing hard turns.
If it’s a small wave board, your chances are better, as smaller surf usually doesn’t stress out the integrity of boards as quickly and easily as bigger surf.
If it’s your gun…hope you are not screwed on the next good day.
Be certain that you get it repaired right. That means ample cloth covering the ding so that the overall continuity of the skin is maintained. If it is properly filled and glassed, it will be stronger than the rest of the board. It will however flex differently since the repaired area will be stiffer (theoretically). I really don’t think that it would be perceptible in riding it, but I don’t know exactly how big of a ding it is. It is unusual for someone to both apologize and pay for repairs willingly (at least in SoCal). Sorry for what happened to your board, but maybe he learned from this and at least took responsibility for his actions.