Step Downs
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Step Downs
Thread Specifically for High Performance type Step Downs (i.e; still built for hi-performance for everyday 1-4 ft conditions, more so than being a tiny wave groveller as such).
If you've got one, what is it, and how does it go ?
If you've got one, what is it, and how does it go ?
- el rancho
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Re: Step Downs
never owned one but by all accounts go gangbusters
Re: Step Downs
More information needed Iggy
What are your criteria?
E.g. I pretty much only ride boards that would be step downs for a good surfer.
HP rocker, wider and thicker.
What are your criteria?
E.g. I pretty much only ride boards that would be step downs for a good surfer.
HP rocker, wider and thicker.
Re: Step Downs
firewire hellfire look good. http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfb ... d=hellfire.
as does the dylan mexican http://www.dylansurfboards.com/boards/2 ... 26/mexican
as does the LSD chubby checka
http://www.lsdsurfboards.com/boards/ent ... bby_checka
still loving the webber 'the one' but it's starting to get trashed and beat up pretty quickly (not sure if that's normal for SLX boards, or if mine's a factory dud) so i'm thinking it's time to look around for something else.. ?
as does the dylan mexican http://www.dylansurfboards.com/boards/2 ... 26/mexican
as does the LSD chubby checka
http://www.lsdsurfboards.com/boards/ent ... bby_checka
still loving the webber 'the one' but it's starting to get trashed and beat up pretty quickly (not sure if that's normal for SLX boards, or if mine's a factory dud) so i'm thinking it's time to look around for something else.. ?
Re: Step Downs
That's what all my shortboards look like, except I don't ride them 2-7 inches shorter or whatever the latest spiel is
Re: Step Downs
For me a step down HPS would normally go something like this:
Approx 1/2 inch wider
Approx 2 inches shorter
Same thickness as normal
Little flatter through the front half and fraction more width through the nose.
Single to double with possible little V off the tail
Thruster
Round tail
Now all this said by favourite step down HPS goes like this:
1 inch wider
Super deep single
Rounded square
3 inches shorter
The board was an experiment outside of my standard 'norm'. Im so glad I took the punt on something a bit different. The board fricken rips.
Approx 1/2 inch wider
Approx 2 inches shorter
Same thickness as normal
Little flatter through the front half and fraction more width through the nose.
Single to double with possible little V off the tail
Thruster
Round tail
Now all this said by favourite step down HPS goes like this:
1 inch wider
Super deep single
Rounded square
3 inches shorter
The board was an experiment outside of my standard 'norm'. Im so glad I took the punt on something a bit different. The board fricken rips.
Re: Step Downs
I should point out that one of the learning curves for me in experimenting with step downs while keeping them high performance is not to go too flat in the back end. This is a very general call though and you need to look at all the other design aspects, or better still leave it to an experienced shaper.
The learning for me is that you can still have a board that picks up quick strong speed and can plain through flat sections while keeping a performance back end curve allowing the board to still surf straight up in a vertical approach. The tail curve also allows the board to turn quickly allowing you to surf a smaller wave in the pocket if there is one. Flatter boards can let you down in this area. I find a round tail can assist in a board that is a little flatter.
The learning for me is that you can still have a board that picks up quick strong speed and can plain through flat sections while keeping a performance back end curve allowing the board to still surf straight up in a vertical approach. The tail curve also allows the board to turn quickly allowing you to surf a smaller wave in the pocket if there is one. Flatter boards can let you down in this area. I find a round tail can assist in a board that is a little flatter.
Re: Step Downs
When I get my knee good enough I'm keen to try a round tail quad for the same conditions.
Re: Step Downs
I'd go for Almost the same as per nathos formula, but pref a square tail on smaller boards.
Natho, how does the MC (I assume ur referring to for your current step down) go in choppier conditions given the deep concave ?
Natho, how does the MC (I assume ur referring to for your current step down) go in choppier conditions given the deep concave ?
- el rancho
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Re: Step Downs
from the Dylan Mexican webpage description:
have they just invented a new board category for cashed-up surfers to throw money at?
A board that is in between your performance board and your fun small wave board that you ride an inch or 2 shorter and a little wider and thicker than your normal high performance board
have they just invented a new board category for cashed-up surfers to throw money at?
Re: Step Downs
Me 5'11 about 80kg
MG Slayer 5'8 x 19 7/8 x 2 7/16 (very low rails) single to double concave, wide diamond tail, flat nose rocker and good amount of tail kick. I love this board and ride it the most out of my current 3 board quiver (all mgs) . Ride it as a quad with stretch fins (has 5 future plugs). Holds easily 4-5 foot. Went excellent on my back hand at that size keramas.
MG Slayer 5'8 x 19 7/8 x 2 7/16 (very low rails) single to double concave, wide diamond tail, flat nose rocker and good amount of tail kick. I love this board and ride it the most out of my current 3 board quiver (all mgs) . Ride it as a quad with stretch fins (has 5 future plugs). Holds easily 4-5 foot. Went excellent on my back hand at that size keramas.
Re: Step Downs
^^ sounds nice. i like diamond tails as well. maurico shapes a nice board also, have had one before.
Re: Step Downs
Hatchy the deep concave board is no good in choppy conditions. It doesn't need to be perfectly clean but choppy and it's no good.
Re: Step Downs
^ yep, thanks, figured as much. the deepish single concave on my webber tends to feel a little abrupt and unsettled if the conditions are sloppy.
Re: Step Downs
I just picked up a 6'0 x 19 5/8 x 2 5/8 Penn magic black. Only had a few waves on it. Round tail 5 finner. I've tried it with pc3 fronts and MR rears.
My good wave board is the same dims but 6'4 quadfather.
Looks like a good alrounder for 2-4ft flattish rocker, single to double.
It's one of his new designs so there limited info on the webs.
My good wave board is the same dims but 6'4 quadfather.
Looks like a good alrounder for 2-4ft flattish rocker, single to double.
It's one of his new designs so there limited info on the webs.
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.
Re: Step Downs
Ron Goddard roundtail quad, single concave, chined tail.
Plenty of volume, but still quite loose and goes like a scalded cat
Plenty of volume, but still quite loose and goes like a scalded cat
Re: Step Downs
tootr wrote:Ron Goddard roundtail quad, single concave, chined tail.
Plenty of volume, but still quite loose and goes like a scalded cat
They look like pretty big front fins, are they around the M7 size?
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.
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