Maybe after 18 years on a bodyboard what ever paipo.bellyboard I have a may be someway dissapointed due to a constant comparison.
I dont want a board that just hauls ass and wont shred, so I guess i want the shredded, what shapes lean more towards that end of the spectrum?
As far as flotation/ duckdiving a 3f5" fiberglass is going to have no where near the volume of a 6" surfboard or the floatlyness of a bodyboard, so i cant see a choice on that point, it going to be less floaty and easier to duckdive than anyboard i am used to no matter what I design.
I guess after 18 years on a body board its going to be hard for me to not ride it like a bodyboard, but i would rather surf any board to its strengths than try to force it to do somthing it simply cant.
This whole thing is a experiment for me, it about having somthing differant in the quiver to take out and mix it up on the odd day that i feel like it. I just dont want to build somthing thats a constant let down. The main problem where I live is the waves being a constant let down, i dont think a bellyboard is going to really like the choppy mush I surf a lot.
Well the “Green sea turtle” or “GST” is almost off the drawing board.
My chosen shaper should be shaping it using a stringerless blank early next week.
4’3" X 22&1/2 X 3" are the dims so far.
Looking at a point and shoot approach for going down the line with easy paddling and early planing being a priority whilst learning the ropes of prone riding.
Concave deck and double concave bottom.
Twin fin with triple fcs plugs.
Thanks for TP’s planshape which will be the basis.
Happened to spy Derek Hynd out in the water this morning and paddled over and had a chat.
He told me his finless odyssey began with paipos.
Also told me the worst thrashing he ever had was on a paipo at Jbay. Yikes.
You don't mention where you surf so we have no idea of your conditions. You say you want to shred but then go on to say the surf you ride is choppy mush.
I've been surfing since the 60's and stricly prone for nearly 10 years. IMO there are two choices for those conditions, a long skinny alaia or a surfmat.
Instead of commisioning a foam & glass belly board, perhaps you might consider building a wood or ply Paipo/Alaia or purchasing a quality surfmat.
Both excel in junky surf, they are both quite shredable and there would be less cash outlay.
This whole thing is a experiment for me, it about having somthing differant in the quiver to take out and mix it up on the odd day that i feel like it. I just dont want to build somthing thats a constant let down. The main problem where I live is the waves being a constant let down, i dont think a bellyboard is going to really like the choppy mush I surf a lot.
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You don't mention where you surf so we have no idea of your conditions. You say you want to shred but then go on to say the surf you ride is choppy mush.
I've been surfing since the 60's and stricly prone for nearly 10 years. IMO there are two choices for those conditions, a long skinny alaia or a surfmat.
Instead of commisioning a foam & glass belly board, perhaps you might consider building a wood or ply Paipo/Alaia or purchasing a quality surfmat.
Both excel in junky surf, they are both quite shredable and there's less cash outlay.
I live in Wales uk, where average surf is poor and gutless, but i do travel to surf a fair bit, so will be wanting to try this thing out in some good surf in ireland, and maybe ricon this winter.
Any ideas on fins?
I’m going to try for as little fin as possible to gain more speed. Either twin fin keel design, or get the 4 bonzer fins and tri them out as two differant sizes of mini twin fins.
Any input on toe/cant?
I’m off to the world bellyboard champ this next weekend, so will be trying out all sports of craft over the weekend.
I live in Wales uk, where average surf is poor and gutless, but i do travel to surf a fair bit, so will be wanting to try this thing out in some good surf in ireland, and maybe ricon this winter.
Any ideas on fins?
I’m going to try for as little fin as possible to gain more speed. Either twin fin keel design, or get the 4 bonzer fins and tri them out as two differant sizes of mini twin fins.
Any input on toe/cant?
I’m off to the world bellyboard champs this next weekend, so will be trying out all sports of craft over the weekend.
Krusher…please provide pics of the “World Bellyboard Championship” if possible. Where are they to be held? What are the parameters for the board design?
If you send me your e-mail I will ask Robert about contact. He is the guy with two bonzer paipos from the Campbells. I’m hoping he will update his interview in the not too distant future.
There are a number of surfers from the 60s who ride prone now to varying degrees including Dave Jackman and Paul Witzig. I hope to finalise their interviews soon. Also, Frank Latta was riding prone at the time of his recent death.
One has 4 fins, the other has 3 fins - the two outside ones are keels. I'm waiting to hear back from Robert about him publicising details of his boards.
Andy Bick is the guy who will be building my board, he is working on the first of some biofoam boards currently. I have had a go on one of his hollow balsa boards that a local friend owns and enjoyed it extra speed over a bodyboard, but after 18 years on a bodyboard it was a culture shock.
Andy has great pics on his designs on his facebook if you have that Redirecting...
Bob, I didnt know Frank Latta bought the farm ? I had some feisty conversations with him years ago, we had similar ideas but didnt always agree. Pity to see him go.
Bob contacted me and mentioned that you were getting a belly board made. I’m up at Noosa and got one made in the US a few months ago when I was over there. Let me know if you want to check it out.
Robert has been in touch and advised that his boards are going to be part of the Bonzer display at the upcoming "Sacred Craft" event in San Diego October 8/9th. Photos will have to wait until then but he can be contacted by e-mail. E-mail or pm me for this.
