No. 3 - surfed in a Contest

After my number 1 (see my “(Not another) First Board” post), I shaped 2 longboards - both about 9’7. This one is about 23 1/2" wide, with the wide point a little behind the centre, but with a fairly wide nose (about 18 1/2").

I got this board back from the glassing shop 2 days before I left to go to the South African longboard surfing champs in Jeffreys Bay.

After riding it a couple of times I promised myself that I’d ride it in the finals - if I got that far. It’s anything but an HP contest board, but it’s my little protest over modern longboard judging criteria:-) (Actually, I can’t complain too much - the guys that did good “classic” surfing scored well.) Anyway, I made the finals - and had to decide whether I’d keep my promise. With a half hour final, I reckoned there was enough time to play it safe and get a couple of waves with my HP board, and then paddle out with my home made log. I had one wave that I stood proud with all the piggies over the end - it made a big splash! (Yes, when I fell off! ha ha!)

Well… I came fourth, but I had the most fun ever!

[img_assist|nid=1042247|title=Big blue board - bottom 1|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640][img_assist|nid=1042252|title=The piggies fly!|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=75]
[img_assist|nid=1042248|title=Big blue board - bottom 2|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640][img_assist|nid=1042249|title=Big blue board - Deck|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640][img_assist|nid=1042250|title=Big blue board - Bottom 3|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=480|height=640]

Excellent.

What kind of bottom design did you use?

Thanks NJ, the bottom is gently rolled along most of the length, with a subtle concave under the nose. I got the lowest rocker blank I could get from Surfblanks South Africa, and just followed the blank’s rocker until the last 24", at which point I kicked the tail rocker as much as the blank thickness would allow. The rails are fat and round, 50/50.

that is sweet Tim!

right on

that blue board is sweeet !!! and to ride it a j. bay new takes balls… way to go !