Not a lot of time left to get a gun made for this winter. I’m in a mood to build one, for a serious big wave hunter. Is you da one? This is most likely the winter you’re going to need one.
Well, I’m very disappointed that some brave soul, has not come forward. But, I do understand that owning such a board, carries some risk. What if the surf comes up to 15, 20, or 30 feet? Yikes! You’d be expected to paddle out, by your peers. If you don’t own one, you don’t get the pressure, eh? The last personal gun I made, for a run at 30 foot Waimea, was nine feet long and weighed twenty pounds. Jim Fisher, who’s credited with riding 40 foot giants at Avalanche, preferred a gun 10 feet long, by 22 inches wide. Not only did Jim claim the 40 footer, but Fred VanDyke confirmed it in an interview, many years later. Point is, you don’t need anything bigger than 10 feet, for the biggest waves, and can go down to 8 feet, and still have a board to safely ride some mighty big waves. Classic point and shoot, or top to bottom carving. Give it some thought. Is you da one?
Bill,
**IF **I was a few (HA like 35) years younger.
I would be beating down your door!
You have impressed me as a man who knows the “finer” points in the craft.
Many, many moons ago
Surfing larger waves
Came down to:
Will and desire
Skill
Confidence in
Both yourself
And your board.
The best you can find
Built by shapers who Know their shit.
The board….
Always the difference
In doing and living vs. tryin’ and dyin’!
Aloha Nui!
Mahalo Nui Loa.
Watch this space. I’ll describe the ‘‘Crossover Gun’’ that I’ll be building. By crossover, I mean a board for both California and Hawaii’s larger waves. The board will be built for ME, though I’ll never ride it. It will incorporate every design element, that provides advantage in larger waves, that I have learned through experience. Not theory. The board will then be sold, to a buyer that WILL ride it. How could I not ask, ‘‘Is you da one?’’
Bill,
Ten years ago I would have jumped on your offer as a way to push myself to the next level in terms of big waves.
As it is now, a few weeks ago I paddled out into some light, bigger than everyday waves (maybe double overhead on the sets) on my early 70’s 9’ Skip Frye gun and thought, this is good. Very good. Good as in very comfortable but sufficient. Not saying that I wouldn’t jump on a bigger day at Guethary, or someplace clean and warm, but for the moment my limits are… limited. More so that your gun would need to shine.
Stoked on your stoke, though, and looking forward to the build!
How about photos as you go Bill? Who is gonna volunteer to train up Bill on photo posting?
If I can learn how…you can too!!!
Roger
Roger,
It’s not a learning disability, but a lack of desire. I just don’t want to dick around with taking photos, then later having to explain the content. It’s a distraction, that I don’t want. If I do post some photos, it will be of the finished board. Otherwise, I’ll probably put it on display, at Bird’s Surf Shed, for a while. Interested parties can check it out there. For now, the intended board will be 8’6’’ x 21’’ to a 6’’ sqtail.
So this is just a sales pitch to buy a surfboard from some old dude? I want to surf and due sum turns, not log out on some plank.
I’m in - if you’re going to be describing the aforementioned design elements (that provide an advantage in larger waves), this will be a thread well worth watching, pictures or not! I’m always interested in the design details for big wave guns.
Well, that probably won’t happen. At least as it relates to design elements, and an explaination of the where and why. I will provide dimensions of the board, but am not inclined to put the fine points of design up on the internet. That said, I will however discuss ANY design elements, one on one in person. (with the exception of the ‘‘secret foil’’) More than one Swaylock member has been provided very detailed design information, person to person, in the past. Just one of my quirks.
Foiled Again!!?
Eh Bill,
Kinda feel responsible for gettin’ you all fired up.
What a bunch of wimps!
We had the Labor Day Ohana get together
Show’d Boy 7-7 blank I was thinking about.
He say’s Popz how about 6-10!
My day a
6-10 was my small wave stick!
I am done!
He can ride my 20 year old quiver (6-10 died a long time ago)
7-2 CI photo
8-0 Sunset, made it all the way to Val’s and blew the kiddies out!
My real fear is your knowledge may go with you.
Please consider documenting what maybe one of your last works.
With all respect and Aloha!
I share your fear, Matt.
Well, I’ve read this thread about 100 times. When Bill first posted it I thought ’ oh shit, me, me, me. Except I’m not a big wave charger and don’t own a board for real waves for the reason Bill posted. I was surprised nobody took the offer, quite frankly. I"ve seen Bill’s work personally and felt it up, too. Impeccable workmanship. Perfect come to mind. So Bill, if you get in the mood to make a California gun for an aging surfer that surfs mostly fast hollow beach break and occasionally slopey double overhead reef break please keep me in mind. Mike
Bill,
Glass-on? Box? Maybe something we don’t know about?
Aloha Dave, I spoke to Bird, at the ‘‘Shed’’, yesterday, about the board. He very much wants to have it available through his shop. I told him I was undecided as to glass-on, or box. He strongly recommended a box, as it …‘‘will be much easier to sell.’’ So, if no one steps up, and wants the board with a glass-on, then a box it is.
Sounds good Bill,
Love to help any way I can.
Dave
I may call upon you.
Bill,
I’d love to watch you shape it. When is this event going down, I’dlove to pick your brain as the design unfolds. I don’t want the knowledge go with you in the ground. Are you expiring soon?
Maybe you could shape me one and I’ll glass it really pretty.
-Resinhead