Testing or reviews

This is several questions revolving around the same topic.

I’m sure this has come up before. I searched for demos of Berts and Greg’s boards, but ran into the many posts by them, but no individual reviews of their boards. BTW I saw some reviews on Paul Jensen’s hollows . . . Great boards, Paul.

Except one, this guy called backyarder who said if he had the bling bling, he’d buy his 4 surfing kids all sunova. Any more?

From Berts stuff, what I got summarized is that Berts boards are way better in all aspects of surfing (paddling / handling soup, to going down the face, maneuver ing in the face, tube time, durability, asthetically pleasing . . .). Even saw a post where a pro wondered how Bert could take him out and how Bert can’t go back to regular (regular = polyester, resin)

Greg is the same, utilizing composites and stuff. and there’s that parabolic stringer thing . . .

Also saw a few posts by Holly, regarding he has Greg / Bert -esque surfboard tech. And there was this one teaser post by Oneula about running into the ‘skunk works’ of surfing and seeing the black ops projects first hand. I noticed there are lots of hints of really uber stuff, but no details.

I also saw Lost and aviso’s carbon boards and Airframe’s . . . There’s a guy at Cerritos II that had a sunova shirt . . . Grunion?

Anybody who’s demo’d Gregs, Berts, Holly’s boards can give a review? Or on Airframes (I think at Cerritos II there was a pro surfer from Seal Beach area that Airframe had to test, he showed up but took off quickly)? And is there somewhere were people can demo them? In the US, particularly, Southern California?

I kinda think money has some degree of value, and if its to be spent, might as well use it on quality surfboards.

Hey Grunion, can you give a review on your Sunova board?

Greg / Bert / Holly / Oneula . . . are the guys and gals of the ‘revolution’ (here defined as composites, new methods / techniques to build a better board, mentality changing to use better materials) holding all the goods until a market plan / production / people are ready to deliver a coup de tat to the surf industry and coup de grace to the asian import powers?

A question. . . Bill Barnfield had said something about R&D of fins, and I’ve read alot in Surfermag, but still notice most common fins (FCS etc) out on the market aren’t displaying research. I know in aviation, fins are very important . . . same here in surfing. Does fins also play a rule in the black ops development you (Greg / Bert / Holly / dudes Oneula saw etc) are running?

In regards to Lost, I have had friends that have mixed reviews on their carbon boards. Plus I’ve seen a couple in the used surfboard sections, still commanding $900 USD prices. I can demo their boards out of their main store in SC . . . probably do that sometime in the spring . . .

All in all, I know that the board doesn’t make the surfer, but the surfer that surfs the boards. And surfing in itself builds skill, not the board. But it’s my God giving right to seek and look for a better product.

Yet in aviation, there’s a saying I heard from my dad’s navy pals, a single 80’s jet fighter had the firepower and ability of an entire WW II fighter squadron. . .

I’ve got more questions but that’s enough for now.

hi H,

no feedback on other’s composite boards but i can give you my take for whatever its worth…

there many musical notes and each note is valid and useful…

but in music, why do certain notes sound ‘right’ and some sound ‘wrong’? both are musical notes arent they? why is one note better than the other…

answer: the right musical note ‘feels’ good

good luck on your quest…

Al…

I understand your concern about reviews of surfboards. I think part of the problem is that any review given is from one persons point of view. Because surfing is so dynamic, the review must take into account the board, waves, wind, fin systems, reviewers surfing skills, experience, as well as a whole laundry list of “what ifs”. When boards are built with different technology and materials, sometime there is a predetermined bias about the board, and I think this can also impact the reports.

Having said all that, I am sending one of the KOLSTOF board to the Swaylocks Big Sur event, and hopefully there will be some comments made as to how the board worked in those conditions. I understand everyone is a critic, but one must be open to constructive criticism in order to improve a product. I have made many changes to the board from where I started two years ago. Is it perfect? Probably not, but I think it is much better! If you go to the Big Sur event, you could do the report from your perspective.

If you are not able to attend, I try to keep a board around as a demo board for people to try. If your interested, give me a call or PM, and I’ll see if I an get one to you to try out.

Ken

Your friends are your best source of info without bias in any directions.

Their findings pretty much tells you exactly what to expect from lightweight epoxy surfboards. Listen to them, that’s all the opinions you need.

There is no perfect board for everyone, you have to surf the board regardless.

Except my friends. My real friends (both of them)lie, bullshit, and ‘bust my balls’ whenever they can. Especially when it comes to anything concerning surfing. I like to return the treatment. Mike