Is the materials in use today for building surfboards limiting new innovations? Is the designs we’ve all ride a result of what works the best or what’s easiest to shape and glass? Why does the average surfboard have an essentially flat bottom and simple rounded rails? Because the planer doesn’t fit in more extreme curves? Because it would be a b***h to glass? Why is the planshape simple curves and almost always convex? Why don’t we see more channels and the like in mainstream surfboards? The edgeboard discussion and a bad glassing experience just had me thinking about it. regards, Håvard
Håvard, None of those things have ever been of any consequence to the inspired and determined non-commercial craftsman. As far as materials are concerned, there never has been a better time to experiment than now. But over-crowding (for whatever reason) at traditionally accessable, consistent, high end breaks, adversely affects the advancement of design and performance more than any other factor. Some possible results of this situation are (1) the mass-marketed illusion of advancement- no real progression, (2) surfcraft manufactured for crowded, low quality conditions, (3) true progression in isolated areas with quality waves. In the history of surfing, most all significant paradigm shifts- not simply improvements- in design, materials and performance have their origins in relative obscurity, often being initially ignored, for better or worse… consider Tom Blakes many innovations, the Hawaiian "Hot Curl", Owen Churchills swimfin, Bob Simmons and his breakthroughs, George Greenoughs development and use of his flexible kneeboards, fins and surf mats, the wetsuit, Tom Moreys invention of the “Boogie”, the leash, Simon Anderson and his Thruster, Ventura Countys Campbell brothers and their "Bonzer"...etc, etc. The list is a long one. Its fascinating to study the types of individuals from whom these creations arise… a common thread reveals itself. So, based on all that has gone before, somewhere the future is happening… now.
the british say…“here here” or is it “hear hear” they sound the same …kinda …yea and huzzah Dale {also good as a sunshade during long lulls in the tropical noonday sun…} stam no ylanoisacco elbailiava ssilb…esorbma noc salo ]
ambrose - The Blues and the Abstact Truth - March 1961 Oliver Nelson Eric Dolphy Freddie Hubbard Bill Evans Paul Chambers Roy Haynes Dig it!
Ambrose… Yes! The pathways of knowledge are often discovered through playful foolishness. Mahalo
Cork…light,strong,organic.Makes a nice blank so it seems.
Dale wrote:" "None of those things have ever been of any consequence to the inspired and determined non-commercial craftsman. As far as materials are concerned, there never has been a better time to experiment than now. " But for the production shapers, developing designs that are hard to replicate would seem counterproductive. And ultimatly, the majority of the ‘consumer surfers’ are mainly seeing the large production shapes. Hopefully, there will be a revolution in surfboard materials soon. I like the idea of denser foam that don’t need to be covered with fiberglass, only sealed. It would IMHO make it faster and easier to build surfboards, both typical production shapes and more extreme, experimental stuff. Very good if you want to do prototypes and getit in the water wuickly. Maybe it will help on the flexible surfcrafts as well, since we can get away from todays foamcore/hardshell designs that, by design, are made to be rigid. There are a few good ideas out there, but I cannot see the goal yet. I have to give credit to the inventor of the USO(and his glasser…) for overcoming the obstacles with traditional materials. A swallowtail is challenge enough for me. Good point about the crowds and testing conditions though. 17 guys out yesterday is pretty damn near a record for me(I usually go searching for a less crowded spot if there are more then 10 out), but still I know I’m blessed with relativly crowdfree conditions. regards, Håvard