Ask Carroll

[Yuke Hunt]

a bit like making the trek to butterbox

I've always thought that was one of the coolest names for a break.

Brownwater not so ... although it is self explanatory.

[collnarra]

Butterbox is crap 90% of the time - but the remaining 10% is fun.

[ctd]

Why no female shapers? Well jeez, that's pretty obvious. Apart from anything else I reckon women may be smarter than men and thus tend to avoid such things. But the profession is entirely dominated by masculinity at every turn, there's no welcome mat out even for new male shapers, no trade route, nothing. Why are there no women on this site, for example? I suggest it's because it's a male conversation and there's no way in, or at least most women would perceive it that way.

Oh, no doubt about the 'masculinity' thing at all levels; but that said it only takes one guy to let you help out and then you operate on your own (and there must be women who can find that 'one guy' if they wanted).

With the womens professional surfing circuit getting much more press in Australia at least (starting from a very low base admittedly), and I usually see a few females out surfing when I'm out, I think there is a potential commercial benefit in being a female shaper selling boards 'designed for females' - sure a niche market, but a lot of the more (apparently) successful shapers work to a niche market (say McTavish or Grant Miller for the older (and fatter) guys).

I know a female friend of mine almost gave up getting her boards shaped because none of the male shapers she went to listened to what she wanted or believed her when she told them her skill level (which was pretty good).

Still, as you say, perhaps women are just too smart to do it.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[Beanpole]

Yep I was just going to say how about that lesbian female surfboard maker who got a grant off the government to develop specially designed surfboards at Angourie?

McTavish puts out a "special" girls surfboard which just looks like Carver in pink with frangipani s on it.

Re: girls in surfing generally. I think a lot of older girls paddle out and interpret the general vibe as sexist when in fact it's just dog eat dog with not much quarter given to anyone.

We had the Australian Women's Champ at Kingscliff- Jill Sanoti back in the seventies. Jill just surfed it out with the other groms at the beach and was as determined as anyone in the surf.

[marauding mullet]

- sure a niche market, but a lot of the more (apparently) successful shapers work to a niche market (say McTavish or Grant Miller for the older (and fatter) guys).
.

I"m not sure Grant works to a niche market, he just puts a lot of thought into every one of his customer's boards, maybe he's just one of the few who is willing to cater to everybody, including Women….http://www.grantmillersurfboards.com.au ... mensboards

There's an amazing number of good female surfers I see around the traps of Newy.
A bit like most trades I suppose, there's smarter ways to make a buck.

[Nick Carroll]

Don't they need boob indentations? I vaguely recall a 80s or 90s government grant or something being awarded to some women's surfing group to develop womens' specific boards with indentations ...

No Legion, they don't need boob indentations, in fact I am fairly sure most of the top chicks today would destroy every Realsurfer in seconds - in the water and out.

I personally don't think surfboards are gender-designed but maybe some boards appeal more to women than men. I don't think that takes a woman's touch but I don't see why a woman couldn't be a great board designer -- they'd just need to be way more focused and tough than most men board makers.

[Beanpole]

Yeah shaping programs aren't gender specific.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[petulance]

I"m not sure Grant works to a niche market, he just puts a lot of thought into every one of his customer's boards, maybe he's just one of the few who is willing to cater to everybody, including Women….http://www.grantmillersurfboards.com.au ... mensboards

Looks like I'll ask Grant to shape me a board along those lines for my next board to compensate for my lack of upper body strength.

There's an amazing number of good female surfers I see around the traps of Newy.

My regular is a sausage fest.

[DucksNuts]

Nick would you like to come surf waves with me tomorrow? I believe the conditions are particularly promising and will be suited to some hot riding and shooting the curl

I think not old chap. I am still recovering from surgery, and in any case, I fear I may not be the sort of surfing companion you seek. I am surly, hostile, easily bored and not given to jollity.

A surf rendezvous with an online stranger sounds just like the therapy you need.

That said, I turned into you yesterday. The underwhelming size and long waits between sets made me bored, hostile and pull my hair out in frustration

[pearceD]

Nick,
Good move?
http://www.aspworldtour.com/posts/29469 ... ffreys-bay

[Nick Carroll]

Well I tell ya what I know who it'll benefit.

Oakley declined the naming rights to their former event and it seems as if the JBay surf community were agitating pretty hard to get a WCT so natures probably taken its course

Big upside for some pros though I think. Notably Kelly, Jordy, joel, Taj, maybe a couple of the power goofies. Nobody's gonna win JBay with 10 pt alley oop

Kelly did not like Keramas on tour, he felt it was a limited wave where luck played too big a part. You've gotta think his chances of a win this year just slightly improved.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[Hatchnam]

Nick. Have u ever ridden a board between the length of 7 & 8 ft that had a rounded nose instead of a pointy one ? Even if nobody was looking and it was just your own little secret.

[andy2476]

god it's like an educated pedophile trying to convince people that child love is perfectly legitimate

[Hatchnam]

Oh, and butterbox is a pretty crap wave

[Nick Carroll]

Nick. Have u ever ridden a board between the length of 7 & 8 ft that had a rounded nose instead of a pointy one ? Even if nobody was looking and it was just your own little secret.

Yeah, it was boring as shit.

Have you ever surfed a Tahitian reef pass at 6-8' on a 6'5" six channel pintail with three other people in the water?

I just don't care about mini mals iggs, I could test ride 'em in my sleep, and I would if there were any in the Board Test, but why bother otherwise if you don't care.

One day I'll probably be forced to ride something like that, but I'll wait till I'm 70 thanks.