Waves On The Horizon

Amazing photos from Birmingham, Alabama last week.  These types of "wave clouds" are called Kelvin-Helmholtz clouds and develop due to differentials in shearing wind speeds at higher levels.   I just had to share.     

Grain Skateboards - The Cider Hill Model

Grain Surfboards is now producing beautiful hand crafted skateboards/longboards.   They have a couple models in the pipeline with the new Cider Hill pin tail just being released.   If you are a concrete surfer, check them out.

Contact Mike for more info (see below).   

http://store.grainsurfboards.com/products/cider-hill-skateboard  

http://vimeo.com/33300180

Mike LaVecchia
Grain Surfboards
207-457-5313
mikel@grainsurfboards.com

New Offerings from True Ames

Some recent fin offerings from True Ames:

Smith/Parrish Full Base Single Fin for 2 + 1 Setups.   Comes in 6.5", 7" and 7.5"

 Channel Islands Twin + Trailer

This is the original template for the CI twin fin dating back to the early 1980’s. It is a looser twin when compared to the Mark Richards style twin. This design, when hooked up with a small trailing center fin, makes a great loose feeling thruster. You will feel the speed of a twin-fin along with positive drive of a tri-fin. The foil on these fins is a one side (flat) classic twin fin foil.

Channel Islands finger fin.

Great alternative center fin for any application. Less area throughout while maintaining some depth.
This is the fin that hooks up with the channel islands twin fin to make the “twin finner”.  Available Separately

Mini Center Trailer Fin

This is a one of a kind center trailer fin design for either a 5th center fin or even a center trailer fin in a tri-fin setup. Loosen up that 5 fin or make your tri fin ride completely different. This unique FCS compatible fin has only one tab for versatility, slide it up to the front tab or keep in on the back tab for a bit more drive. Ultra thin foil section = less drag, more speed.

 

 New Quad Set from South Coast Surfboards

Get ready to go faster than ever with this setup. Close base to height ratio. 80/20 foil on front fins. The back fins are a symmetrical foil. These are designed for longboards. Try out a set for yourself, see what you think.

 Timmy Patterson Bamboo Tri-Fin Set

High rake and lots of area throughout, favors bigger riders and power surfers. All 3 fins are the same size and originate from the glass-on fins often used by the pros. These fins are designed for the peeling right-handers at Rincon and beyond.

Parrish Single Fin - Classic Hawaiin 70's Era Single Fin.  One size - 7.5"

UK launches the Hobson Space Probe

 Photo by Austin Davies of Chris Hobson (2011 World Champion) launching to the moon off the coast of Ireland.   Check out kayaksurf.net for more details.  

New Zealand Abalone Inlay

Special treatment for a special board.   New Zealand abalone inlay.    Resin swirl.    Pin stripes.    Gloss and Polish.  

90ft Wave? New World Record - Garrett McNamara

Garrett McNamara might have just ridden the largest wave ever.   Reports suggest the wave may have been 90 ft high.   Check out the vids and pics below.  Congrats!!!!

The session was part of an exploratory mission in the North Canyon area in Praia Do Norte, Portuagal.

The previous largest wave from a 77-footer ridden by Mike Parsons in 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHtE3R1W028&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd2jtwviyC8&feature=player_embedded#!

First Production Black Swan by Murky Waters

Well "we" (Ed and Mariola and myself) finally got a production Black Swan made in time for the recent World Surf Kayak Championships in Nags Head, NC (October, 2011).     The boat is 7'5" and about 24 1/4" wide at the hip.   Features very minimal tail rocker with hard chines in the stern.  Recessed cockpit.  Hull design is basically a bonzer hull with spiral vee and double concave with additional e-wings.   Five fin boxes for ultimate flexibility in fin setup.    Had some good input from Tim Stafford in the UK with respect to the hull design.

Very preliminary impressions from myself and other more talented paddlers (Jorge Anchorena, Anthony Bell, Barry Jones, Jared Licht) at the worlds:   Boat requires very little fin due to the rail design.  I had it set up originally with way too much fin and I was down to one 3" center fin by the end of the week.    Seating position is critical in allowing the tail to release due to the minimalist tail rocker and large stern volume pod.    I was continually moving the seat forward with each session.    Still need many more days in the water and many more paddlers to try the boat.   Particularly now that the seating position and fin setup has been worked out to some degree.    The boat is very comfortable and lots of volume to accommodate any sized paddler.  

 Carbon-Inegra Layer in the Hull with BlackBurst Edges

 Recessed cockpit in the front with drainage facilitated in the rear.

 Color-shift micro flake and black splatter graphics

 Vee and Bonzer hull

 E-wings and bonzer channels

We will keep tweaking things with rider feedback and post an update in the future.  There is now a demo in Southern Ontario for any great lakes paddlers to try.  Just contact MurkyWater (ed@murkywaterkayak.com) to arrange a demo time.

New Design - 6'2" Chimp Spanner

This is a new model that I am working on.   It's called the "Chimp Spanner" and is designed to be a quiver killer if there ever was one.   This particular board is 6'2" x 20 1/2" x 2 1/2", EPS/EPOXY with the "Flex Tail" upgrade (ie. stringerless from the fins back).    The board has a fuller fishy nose outline and relaxed rocker to get up to speed and planning quickly, but pulls in at the tail into a single bump round tail for added manouverability.  The board also features a elevated wing (e-wing) to bring the turn radius down a hair.     The ever popular 5/4/3 fin option also featured on this one.

Iron Wave - Jorge Anchorena

Just returned from the World Surf Kayak Championships at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, NC.
Big congratulations to my very good friend Jorge Anchorena from Argentina on being 5th overall in men's HP and WINNING the Iron Wave competition.   Jorge triumphed over Darren Bason in the head-to-head single elimination.   Stay tuned for more updates about the competition and the maiden voyage of the Black Swan.

Inspiration for Worlds Surf Comp Next Week

Sick picture of Rusty Sage (former World Champion) in a Murky Water "Reaction".   The "Reaction" is a Vince Shay designed boat.   Murky Waters are the makers of my Black Swan surf kayak design, and a whole slew of other surf kayaks, squirt boats, and whitewater kayaks.

I think the photo was taken at Mundaka, but I could be wrong.   Killer photo by Oscar Martinez.

Lets hope for good swell in OBX!  There are a couple Pro Surf comps going on there right now at Jennette's Pier in Nags Head NC, including the Hurley Pro.

New Model - "Snowtorch" Prototype Shortboard For Sale

This is a new model called the "Snowtorch".   I have tried to take a traditional shortboard design and adapt it for our typical fresh water conditions.   It was designed for the more accomplished surfer looking to melt the winter waves.    More of a relaxed entry rocker, significantly more foam throughout the chest and nose area, and wider than a traditional thruster.   Single to double concave to slight vee off the tail.  

This was very much a prototype board allowing me to try some new stuff:  

1) flex tail blank in which the stringer is absent in the tail of the board to allow for increased flex and     rebound out of the turn

2) Intricate tape pattern for foam stain/swirl

3) Rail cancer carbon/polypropylene patches

I am really happy with how these flextail blanks have come out, but real world performance will give the final verdict.   The custom graphic/tape job did bleed in some locations (see pic below), so another lesson learned and room for improvement.   Leash protection patches are probably not worth the hassle, but an option that could be added to the custom option list.

 

6'4" x 20 1/2" x 2 1/2"

EPS/Epoxy Construction

6oz Hull, Double 6oz Deck

5/4/3 FCS Fusion Fin System

Custom Foam Stain

Carbon/Poly Rail Cancer Patches

Flex Tail Blank/Black Stringer

This Snowtorch prototype is for sale.    Asking $375 including HST.

Its a prototype and its not perfect, hence the greatly reduced price.  Come and check it out.

Fins, leash, stomp pads are currently on sale for 25% off during the month of September.

 

Futures Introduces the ILT Fin System

For more information about the new colours and ILT Fin Box, check out
http://www.futuresfins.com/ilt-box-technology.php

FINventory Sale - %25 off all in stock items - September only

Need to clear some space.   %25 off all in stock fins, leashes, stomppads, board bags etc.   
Current FINventory is listed below with the MSRP pricing.    Email or call for additional photos or availability of leashes (6-9ft, assorted brands and colours), stomp pads (assorted brands and colours) and bags.
HST is not included and will be collected at the time of sale.

FCS Base                     Manufacturer              MSRP

           

Tri Sets         

           

H3-Nexus (small)            FCS                         114.95

LB-1 Layne Beachley     FCS                           94.95

Channel Island RTM      True Ames                 61.00

EA RTM                         True Ames                 61.00

Lost Bamboo                  True Ames                 61.00

           

Quad Sets        

    

Bonzer Runners                FCS                         93.95

Donavan Special Edition  Rainbow Fin Co.     87.95

Timmy Patterson RTM     True Ames               81.00

           

Twin       

Mark Richards TFX  Twin + Trailer   FCS       89.95

CI Twin (Bamboo)                 RFC                     72.95

           

Misc       

3D Red Tip                         FCS                       65.60

Side Bites (dolid glass)      True Ames             41.00

           

           

Futures Base                Manufacturer          MSRP

           

Tri Sets         

Vector II FEA 450              Futures                 42.78

Vector II FJC1                    Futures                 42.78

Rob Machado Signature    Futures                110.00

Lost Mayhem MB2           Futures                   84.00

AM2 Techflex                   Futures                   84.00

Solus                                  Futures                110.00

EA Bamboo                     True Ames               61.00

           

Quad Sets        

Vector II Quad1 438 + 375 rears     Futures     56.00

Stretch PC                                        Futures     56.00

Controllers                                        Futures     96.00

Speed Dialer Cutaway Canards  Rainbow Fin Co.   96.50

Chris Birch Signatures                Rainbow Fin Co.   96.50

Timmy Patterson Signatures       True Ames   81.00

R5/R8 Hexcore                            Rainbow Fin Co.   87.95

           

Twin       

Rasta Keels                                     Futures     88.00

Split Lip/Steve Forstal                Rainbow Fin Co.   72.95

           

Misc       

Speedwings                               Rainbow Fin Co.   36.00

V2 SB1 Sidebites                           Futures     48.00

           

           

LokBox Base                      Manufacturer           MSRP

           

           

Quad Sets        

Speed Dialer                        Rainbow Fin Co.        96.50

Speed Dialer Cutaway         Rainbow Fin Co.        96.50

747                                       Rainbow Fin Co.        87.95

           

Twin       

Channel Island                  Rainbow Fin Co.   72.95

Keel                                   Rainbow Fin Co.   72.95

Doc                                    Rainbow Fin Co.   72.95

           

           

Glass-On               Manufacturer        MSRP

           

Gephart Hobie        True Ames            80.00

RTM Hobie            True Ames            33.00

           

Longboard Fins    Manufacturer      MSRP

           

"Bonzer Center  6.5"""  True Ames   49.00

John Perry Performer    True Ames   44.00

Wayne Rich Power        True Ames   44.00

Greenough 4A               True Ames   49.00

Greenough 4A               True Ames   58.00

Hobie Classic                 True Ames   58.00

California Classic           True Ames   57.00

Farberow Flex                True Ames   63.00

  
Email dowiller@gmail.com or 416 553-8585 for size and colour availability

Local pickup in GTA.   Shipping available for additional charge.