Interesting thread as I happen to have a 7’ x 21" x 3" diamond tail that is an slighlty modernised template of Michael Cundith’s (ex-cali now Byron Bay) 70’s era single fins.
I’d been riding one of his longer fish and felt I had a gap in my quiver and so traded the fish on the 7’er.
First time I took it for a paddle as a single out at 3’ Snapper while on my way home from Byron with an 8" Greenough fin (all I had with me at the time).
Felt like it paddled slowly and was not particulary easy to catch waves on. Once up and riding it felt slow and un-responsive.
Caught two waves and went in. The problem was I’d surfed so much down at Byron I was exhausted and so didn’t put too much blame on the board but the thought did pass through my mind I’d bought a lovely, though expensive wallhanger.
Left it looking good in the corner for quite a while.
Then next outing was at my local point with no crowd and 3’.
Put in a wavegrinder fin and while it felt better paddling and easy to catch waves stepping back towards the tail to do cutbacks actually had the board doing skateboard speed wobbles- rocking side to side.
Having read an article about the Campbell brothers in which Malcolm said putting bonzer fins in a board will improve it I bought a pair of smaller FCS bonzer side fins and put them in with a 6.75 centre fin.
The board already has a single to double concave (not deep).
Viola, Eureka and all that stuff.
Took the board out at 3’ lined up local point.
The board now rode in the pocket like a dream. Smooth with enough speed to stay in the pocket and not outrun the barrel.
Cutbacks with hold while maintaining drive and a surefooted feel with no speed wobbles.
I’d ridden my 6’6" Firewire 2 days before with the emphasis on top to bottom turns and snaps when the waves were largest.
Rode my 8’ Dick Van carbon fibre all rounder the day before with the emphasis on flow and glide when waves were slightly smaller.
Now the third day on the MC with in the pocket surfing to the fore with the swell more than the previous day I’d ridden the 8’er.
All three boards ridden in a completely different way and taking me to different places on the wave face.
The fun was equal on all three days. Just different fun.
I was lucky to have 3 days where the waves were close to the same size and conditions to see the difference. The local crew were just as entertained and riding the 7’er brought the most positive reactions from others paddling out. (ie hooting).
Here’s a link to my board…http://www.mcsurf.com.au/products/seventy-70ft-orange-tinted-diamond-tail-/1075/1
Next thing is to try my Revolution single in it.