The Prone Surfboard.

General Discussion
1

Its performance is designed to be as close to riding a standup board, and bugger me if its not damn close.

Its a collection of hydrodynamic theories, taken to an extreme and then softened to fit the application.

The planshape is a bit like a Lazor Zap. Its a great shape for prone because it influences the board to turn at the back which is in line with where the riders naturally turns, at the hips, and it gives the board a long flat front rail line from the WP up to the nose for setting up fast stable runs on tube walls.

And it keeps the best aspect ratio at the tail for planing.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/deckrails001a.jpg[/IMG]

 The rocker is 2 inches in the first 12, then flat all the way for maximum speed. 

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SURFFOILS008.jpg[/IMG] 

Rails are angled down off the deck like a bodyboard but into a 3/4 inch square and with a sharp corner at the bottom edge all around for minimum drag. 

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SURFFOILS001.jpg[/IMG] 

Foil is 3inches at the back and 1/2 inch at the nose.

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SURFFOILS004.jpg[/IMG]

 With most of the volume centred under the rider at the back, the board pivots and turns from one position, no need to slide up and down looking for the right balance point. The thinner nose and less volume allows the boards nose to easily pivot to the sides and pitch up and down for major and subtle control. It feels right to control a board from one position and have control in all directions.

 The thin rails put all the weight and force into a small area of water and the board pivots around the WP and shoots off the flat rocker.

Its best manouver is the bottom turn. It really hooks in and feels like your riding a surfboard.

 Ive followed a few of Bob Simmons' principles and a few are from other surfboard and paipo shapers. So thanks to all you guys.

 In the end I think its got more capabilities than me because I find that I can throw it around as well as do little sideslips and stylin' adjustments and I havent found its limit. On a long wave, its actually tiring to keep up with it  because its keen to carve bottom turn into cutback over and over again.

 I call it The Universal because Ive tried it on all the average beach waves, fat, sloppy, bowly, and it handles it all really well up to about head-high. Beyond that, it'd need a few changes to make it more stable or maybe some channels for a specialised tube riding board?

 But for all the day to day, beach, point and reef waves, its a beauty. Very happy.

 

2

Hi Brett - Looks perfectly functional and a whole lotta fun!  What are the overall dimensions and how are you setting fins if any?

3

Look forward to the production of boards for sale.

Always been interested in the Paipo threads but they are all based in the US.

4

Just had a chance to read through the blog spot properly.

Wonder how they’d go floating my 46 yr, 6’1", 90 kg body?

 

5

Hi John and Cuttlefish, 43" X 20" X 2.5"

 I want to put fins on it, but it doesnt need it. I didnt think it'd hold in during bottom turns but it does , I found the worst thing is to take a bottom turn tentatively. If you just throw the board into the turn, it holds. 

 I think I might try a set of fins on a later board.

 Cuttle, theres a few guys doing prone/paipo stuff on the East coast, theres Bob Green, me, and Bob has a few other contacts. But there must be more somewhere? Probably not enough to hold a 'fish-fry' style of get together.

Heres a pic of a group who might want to share a beer and talk about all things prone......

[IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/scabscartoon.jpg[/IMG]

 I dont see why the board shouldnt suit you, Im 85kg and its perfect for me and I had a guy at 100kg ride it but that was at the upper limit.

 

6

Hey there Surfoils, John and Cuttle, 

S.C.A.B.S. is a very exclusive club (since I’m currently the President, Treasurer, Press Secretary, Historian, Archive Officer, Beer Sheriff, and Only Official Member).

But yes, I’m into all things prone, standy and kneely! I’m always up for a paddle, or a natter over a few frosty ones. I’m based down South in Vicco, near Bells beach! Drop me a line anytime you’re down here. 

Cheers BJ.

taosurfboards@mail.com

7

"Beer Sheriff"   ha!

 Dont worry about being the only member, your poster is great ! I'll certainly give you a call when I get down to Bells again, thanks.

8

So heres a short video of me riding one of the  SURFFOILS....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZPFtJB1-_w

 Weve had no video-worthy surf for 2 weeks but even in this slop the board picks up speed in the bottom turns and is more manouverable than a standard bodyboard, so Im happy.

You can laugh at the tiny waves but when/if we get some proper swell in Sydney, I'll post a video showing how much better the board performs, even in slightly bigger waves.

 Bottom turns and top turn 'snaps' feel similar to a surfboard, so it handles more like a surfboard than a bodyboard.

The shape has mellowed from the earlier angular shape [IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SF2.jpg[/IMG]

 

 

9

surffoils,

I want to make something like this for an older neighbor who likes to prone surf, but he does not use swim fins.

Do you have any guidance on building out a 5-6’ design that would be paddled but still provide some of the maneuverability that your setup achieves?

 

10

afoaf, drawing the length out would be fine as long as you keep the WP back about 15 in from the tail. Thats where the board gets its manouverability and the thin (3/4in) rails sink and hold.  Bottom turns are like a shortboard and any turn going down the face is like a 'snap'. Its capable of full-on rail turns unlike a standard foam bodyboard.

Im sure youre on top of any board construction but keep the WP position and thin rails.

Simple shape but it works.

 [IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SF7.jpg[/IMG]

 [IMG]http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/SURFFOILS/SF6.jpg[/IMG]

If you go ahead, could you post pics please?