What kind of board design characteristics for doing airs?

General Discussion
1

I made a board for a guy who CAN PUNT!  He asked for something 5’10’’ x 19 1/2’‘…ish round tail with a nose that didn’t look like a fish.  (a nose that wasn’t wide for the people who believe the word ‘fish’ is loosely used).  I would have thought a rounded square or squash tail with a straighter outline in the tail would have been the go…but he wanted round.  I don’t have a foil shot (and this photo sucks!!) the boards already gone but the rocker was along the lines of (N)- 4 3/16’‘- (1’‘) - 1 1/4’’ - (2’‘) 7/32’’ - (2’‘) - 5/32’’ - (1’‘) - 7/8’’ - (T) - 2 1/8’'.  This curve’s worked in a bunch of boards previous so I think its proven.  Deep single concave the whole way, boxy rails and more of a boxy/square rail in the tail.  Still I can’t do airs so its really an experiment cause personally I’m unaware of the attributes which aid airealists.  What are your thoughts on board designs for doing airs or help landing them?

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2

Thanks Reverb, Surfteach, NJ, very informative, just thought I’d ask what people do for the next one.  This rider is 6’0’’ and 75kgs, I think the dimensions are good its just those finer details and an area of maneuvers I never do.  I’m off for 2 months, happy shaping, glassing, sanding, surfing!!

3

I haven’t gone on holiday yet…f@rk this sways addiction is worse than Facebook.

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4

with his skills just make him what he wants , looks to be working good .

 

 

5

…hello man, yes all what you say is right

also add tail kick behind the fin and put smaller fins with less rake or smaller back one with less rake if drive is a concern

6

I like what you have here, you don’t say how
big your guy is, if he is 5’10" or under, I would go
with a 5’9" with a little less concave. More tail rocker
like reverb says in the last 12 “, go up to 2 3/8” or 2 1/2"
depending on the guy (front foot vrs back). A squared
rail in the tail with a round over edge (glassers love this)
will help on landings as you never know where the tail will be
pointing, LOL… I also try to hide a bit of volume in the
tail area by doing this. The Newport boyz (OC) prefer a
tail like this and props to Roberts for this design. I like
what you have, if it works for your conditions, it is just a
matter of refining all the little things, like vee, rail tuck, etc.
Just my 2c…

7

My goal has been to design a board for the landing first, then the launch. Lots of guys can boost, not many can stick it on the landing. So I think stability and forgiveness… even though they seem opposite. I’m experimenting with a template that has a sort of “platform” through the middle, and softened edges in the tail, like’s been said already.

8

does adding tail kick slow the board down? My buddy is obbssed with low tail rocker we surf river waves and the low tail rocker really helps for drive in a mushy soft wave. since the rocker is already flat would the tail kick slow it down?.

9

it has to be lite in wt.

or you're wasting you're time.

past that.... not much really matters.........other than the surfer's abilities.

even at my age i get a ariel every session,even on crappy days.

a kick in the tail helps as well as a swallowtail/fishtail ,,,plus! a goodly amount of flip in the nose to prevent peril jamming.

my best air sticks to date are my predators(predator series).

and remember alot of dads can launch............but it don't count unless you can land it.

oh ya..........all my air boards are over 6 foot some 6-9 or 7-2.

my moist recent is 6-7.

herb

10

sorry what is “light in wt” mean?

11

…

12

lite board.........fly weight.

my 6-7 weights in at 4.4 lbs...........that's a poly/poly board too.

herb

13

if you add too much kick .......ya.

low rockers work in slower waves.

but in round stuff a hyper rocker is best.

herb