Darth

GENERAL GOAL | THEME OF THE BOARD:

A high performance board for small to medium sized waves, that is fast and fun in a range of conditions. 

CONDITIONS IT'S WORKING BEST:

Most wind conditions with waves from just under waist high up to head and a half.

MANEUVERS IT DOES BEST:

Solid power roundhouse cutbacks, Tail slides. 

SKILL LEVEL IT'S BEST FOR:

Novice to Pro.

WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF WHEN YOU DESIGNED IT?:

LOL, I didn't really have to think too much, essentially the inspiration for this board comes directly from the Daniel Thompson designed Vader model, with a few subtle variations.

WHAT IT POSSIBLY COMPROMISES ON THEN?:

The extra width in the tail behind the rear fin creates a straighter more parallel section of outline. This translates to a more drawn out line when hard on rail while on the back foot, so if the waves are bowly and powerful it's harder to attack the pocket at speed and pull a tight on rail snap in the pocket and keep the rail engaged.

OUTLINE:

Wider diamond nose, more parallel outline into a wider diamond tail. The outline creates a healthy amount of area for the length of the board, with more than adequate nose area, the board climbs up on the plane effortlessly offering great light wind performance. The arc of the outline being straighter allows great down the line speed on fast waves, combined with the wider tail, it offers a clean, solid, driving, powerful feeling cutback.

RAILS:

Slightly lower, tucked edge into the tail. The Rails are low, dropping the apex closer to the bottom, allowing the rail to bury into a turn easier. The bottom edge up front is quite tucked, a softer tuck without much edge, this tuck carries closer all the way to the tail not going fully 90 degree till the tail fin. This gives you a little more warning before it pops into a drift, offering hold and control to a board that would otherwise be a little slippery.

ROCKER:

Medium, slightly flatter. With this rocker the board carries into waves really well, keeps its speed over dead sections and catches waves easily. It has good carry in cutbacks on softer sections and easy to crack into a tail drift.

BOTTOM:

Single concave. One problem with really wide tails and boards is that it's harder to get them on rail. The issue with a wide tail is the slippery feeling on the rail to rail transition. This is where you can go into an uncontrollable drift when turning under the lip at speed. One rail is engaged, then there is a brief moment where the board is flat before you can get the other rail in. With the concave you have one rail engaged, then as you transition onto the other rail, it bights and grabs with a more positive feeling.

DECK:

The deck is a fairly standard profile.

FINS:

5 Fins. For top to bottom surfing the thruster will be the better option. As the waves get a little steeper and faster, switch out to the quad to hold a higher more direct line, or if the waves are flatter and more open with little chance of top to bottom surfing, the quad is also an option.

FINAL STATEMENT:

A good high performance alternative for small to medium waves in a range of different wind conditions.