Discussing Roy's surfboard designs.

Looks are a matter of personal taste, and in many but not all respects so is performance.

Have you seen the thruster in question being ridden, or are you merely assuming?

 

Yes, at least in his longboard surfing.

 

Firstly I didn't say anything about Slater's shortboarding, your comment is an unjustified extrapolation of what I said, used to make a counter argument, but it is an argument against a position which I don't hold. My position on Slater's surfing is that it is mostly style free, although the requirements of competition do of course predetermine the kind of surfing done.

Secondly I did not introduce Tudor's surfing I was asked for my opinion, and since his longboard surfing is a prime example of the celebration of inefficiency which is the current longboard paradigm, the answer is clearly 'yes' his style is a handicap. This is an honest opinion.

Thirdly I discuss surfboard design and my designs at every available opportunity, and if I'm asked any sensible question about design will answer to the best of my ability. Often the questions need to be re framed in order to make sense of them. For example the question "why do you think that your designs are the best ever?" is a non starter since I have never thought or said that.

The evidence shows that I have written many hundreds of thousands of words on surfboard design over the past two decades, so don't give me the BS line that I don't answer surfboard design questions or share my theories, insights, and cogitations on the subject.

 

Actually my method is fairly new and was never seen before I invented it in 1994.It was developed for the functional use of flex prior to the flex craze, as well as a low COG for a given volume. it was heretical then and still is.

'Trying to be unique' for its own sake is something I have never done, I am driven solely by surfing efficiency. The unique aspects of my boards are purely a result of pursuit of surfing goals. Obviously mainstream designs are what i compete with in the water so one could say that I strive for a unique advantage, but only in the practical surfing sense not in terms of fashion.

For the record, the parallel profile flexible torsion box construction came to me in a vision, a proverbial 'flash of inspiration'. I hesitated to pursue it in spite of the probable advantages due to the strange appearance and my realisation that it would take a very long time for it to be accepted, but proceeded nonetheless, have never regretted doing so and have had immense joy from the pursuit even though it has been a very hard road at times over the past 20 years.

As long as my designs are not mainstream, I have huge advantages in the water. Having said that, I am indifferent regarding their acceptability.... accepted or not accepted... both situations have advantages and disadvantages.

General acceptance is inevitable, it is only a matter of time, I'm ready for it and in the meantime enjoy the advantages which the current situation allows.

Your suggestion that I am driven by some spurious and childish emotional complexes is thus unfounded,but unique and heretical status is a necessary part of the cycle and is treated calmly and unemotionally as such.

.


.

 

You speak from ignorance, so are forgiven for getting it wrong. The boards appeal to a small percentage of surfers, many of whom have built boards to my design from plans and kits. My finished boards were also easy to sell at regular 'mates rates' prices ( a practice which I stopped years ago).

If you like I'll post a review or two.. I have many.

You are wrong regarding speed and turning, the boards turn very well indeed and do so without fuss.

Regarding speed, one of my Makaha models has been clocked regularly at over 30mph in head high low period beachbreak waves, with a top recorded speed of 37 mph... the top 44 ran a speed test at better waves in Snapper Rocks recently and didn't come close. They regularly outpace the opposition. That is not to say that they are always faster in all situations, but excellent speed and 'long legs' are a feature.

Weight depends upon what I design for, a 9 footer can be in the 16 to 20 pound range which is lightweight for everything except trick surfing. Greater weights in proportion to length are used at times for the advantages which they offer and which are only understood by a few... more weight is an acquired taste and the advantages which it gives are really only available without penalty in properly balanced boards, this excludes the malibu type in longer lengths.

.

 

'Looking like crap' is a style assessment which has no meaning in terms of surfing efficiency.

Thus you are making a valueless performance judgement based on a spurious fashion based factor.


.

 

Incorrect this thread is about the designs.

I already have, you don't understand what you are seeing due to fashion assumptions.

 

Over 200, which board are you asking about?