HI everybody, I read a lot of topics in this forum, about quads are better than thrusters, personally I like quads but Im not an experienced surfer, Im begginer-intermediate.
So, if quads are faster, and better in general, why in almost all the videos and contest, the pros always use thrusters?
Are thrusters better for experience surfers, and quads better for the average surfers?
thrusters tend to be better at surfing vertically in the pocket - which is how the pros surf. quads tend to be faster down the line with less input from the rider - which is generally better for an average surfer. that being said - kelly rides quads and pros have won contests recently on quads.
I agree with the above, also I think Quads dont throw the mountains of spray that a thruster does when turned off the top because of the extra drag or resistance of the center fin and I think pro surfing judges like to see big rooster tails not smooth flowing off the tops…
forget about competition .who gives a stuff! it didnt really exist for most surfers until the stubbies on the goldcoast. draw some lines that pleases U .and forget about what everyone else does
one more question: what configuration will be better for a small wave (4-6 ft) tube and very fast break? is the quad speed better for this wave ? or maybe the thruster is going to give more grip on the steep wall giving more control to the surfer? Because I feel quads more loose on the tail, I dont know if this will be bad for surfing in small tube waves!
Depends on how you want to surf the wave, and wether it is on your forehand or back hand. With quads you are can come from behind the section easier, thrusters work better drawn under the lip or swallowed up by the wave. There are many pros who ride quads. It is a matter of taste and what they are comfortable on.
Just follow McKee. I think Quads are way more fun to surf and the varieties are endless. I ride all quads now from my smallest to my biggest and after 20+ years of riding thrusters I see no drawbacks to a quad set up only advantages. And McKee will teach you that not all quads are the same…read his whole speal and you’ll be sold like I was. There are all kinds of possibilities with fin types and fin placement so to just say quad v/s thruster is misleading because unlike thrusters quad have WAY more options.
Most pro surfers don’t ride them because there scared to be different and they don’t have the water time with them to feel comfortable. As time goes by and more pro’s come up that have been riding quads you will see the shift take place
You may want to look through the archives for posts by and related to Robin Mair, aka. “Handshaper,” and some of my simple interprtations - and the stuff some one posted recently that Rusty wrote.
I started with the McKee set up, then after more research, and some great communication with Robin M., I went to the “edge”/fins @ an inch apart - fore/aft, and haven’t looked back. Adjsutable systems will make all the difference to really get it dialed in. As I’ve written - I’m all about an asymetrical fin set up for myself.
"for the last year I've been riding a 6 to 7 ft. quad Bruce Fowler made me, I love that board!"
Quote: Todd Rogers Olympic Gold Medalist Beijing.
Go to You Tube and watch Shane Dorien shred a JC 5'2" quad.
Pull up my old thread QRQ (Quads R Quick) here on Sways.
McKee and I corresponded at length last month or so....... I give him major props as I do Mair.
84% of surfers use tris. That's okay, but sometimes changing things up takes you to a whole new plane. If you don't, you stagnate........ both as a surfer and a shaper.