My noserider and why it works.

It was a while back that I built my evolution noserider.  There was a lot of thought that went into that board and I'm please with how it turned out and how it works.  It wasn't my first noserider.  The first one didn't have the pinched rails and it sold before it every got tested.  It wound up in a fancy restaurant as a wall hanger.  When I built my next one it was shortly after building my first evolution longboard.  I wanted to understand all the design elements and differences.  Fortunately, I came across these youtube videos that explained it in a way I could understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLTvunwBmCg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb-oA2I9y7Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NYCAQ5_opY


I still have my noserider and love to get it out when the conditions are right.  It's a lot of fun and noserides great.  Thanks to all the people that figure out how to apply Bernoulli's principle to a surfboard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernoulli%27s_equation


I'll try to get some pictures of my next session on it.  If anyone is interested in the patterns let me know.

Fix with balsa.

The surf hasn't been happening for a couple weeks now, so it's a good time to do some board repairs.  A few weeks ago I paddled out.  The waves were about 2' and closing out for the most part.  The swell was crossed up.  If you waited long enough a decent set wave would come thru that wasn't a close out.  Anyways, I was a bit impatient that day.  A good looking wall came in and I was on it.  It closed out and put me and my board in the washing machine.  It's usually no big deal.  This time however I was surprised when I didn't feel that tug on my leash.  There was my board floating toward the beach.  I was out on the outer sandbar, so I had to swim for it.  When I finally caught up with my board I saw that the leash plug had torn off and it took a large chunk of foam with it.  That's not good.

Yesterday, I got around to cutting the ripped out section and epoxied in a piece of balsa.  Today I shaped it which didn't take long at all.  It's real nice working with balsa compared to foam.  It'll all get glassed in with a new leash plug in a few days.  Just in time for a swell and some off shore winds expected later in the week.

Another summer has passed.

September is probably my favorite month.  The water is warm, the kids are in school and the tourist aren't here.  About the only thing that makes me a little sad is that another summer has passed.  For the most part the waves this summer pretty much sucked with the exception of a few days.  There is still a chance that a hurricane will come.  The good news is my girlfriend Julie has gotten the surf bug and is progressing nicely.

Probably the second best thing to come out of the summer is that I got more use to my fish.  I started with a 7' and my favorite is a 6' 8".  They are much better suited to the waves here.  There are certain times when the longboard works well, usually going to a high tide.  Anyways, I haven't built anything new.  I'm just enjoying getting out as much as I can.  The beach house got painted outside and backyard is getting squared away.  Still living the dream.

Back to the mini Simmons.

This is a board that was finished 3 months ago.  After riding it several times I modified the fins, so they didn't cut my feet.  Every once in awhile when I popped up the top of my toes would catch the back edge of the fin.  I'd placed the fins as far back as possible to add stability.  Since I cut the fins down there hasn't been a problem.  The board works good and it's a lot of fun. 

Needed a hand insert.

Almost every morning I'm down at the beach doing a surf check.  It's something that's part of my routine and helps me plan my day and sessions.  For awhile now I've noticed a guy on an SUP has been getting more rides than anyone out there.  Usually this happen when the waves are small and the peaks are shifty.

Anyways, it's inspired me to get out there on my 10' er and try it for a change.  When I built this board I neglected to make a hand hold for carrying it.  Big mistake on my part. So I made a three sided box and glued it in.  Then I made a little trim piece.  It's getting glassed in next.  After that I'm going to put on traction pads because wax alone is just too slippery.  I hope to get out there soon and start getting more rides.

Repairing a Woody.

I had a little damage on my noserider.  It's funny because I just had someone ask me about repairing a wood board.  I told them it was no big deal and easier than fixing a foam board.  I have had my share of practice since my boards get dinged up from time to time.  I started by drilling some small holes and cutting out the bad section with a razor knife.  The rest was pretty easy.

Selling off boards.

I just finished one and don't see myself making anymore for awhile.  I'd like to thank Rick and Joshua at Surfari Surf Shop in Ormond Beach.  They have been selling my boards and treating me right.

http://www.surfarisurf.com/

Also thanks to Joni and Scott at Ocean City Surf Company in Flagler Beach.  Real nice people and selling my newest evolution boards.

https://www.facebook.com/oceancitysurfco

Finished the Blunt Nose.

All the rain we've had lately was perfect for wet sanding.  I'm happy with that finish and I'm glad this one is done.  It finished out at 9' 7", width 23 1/2", nose 17", tail 16" and thickness 2 7/8".  This one has a lot more rocker than most of my boards.  The nose has 2" and the tail is 4".  When you compare it to my nose rider you and see a lot more in the nose.  I don't know the weight.  It's probably about 23 lbs. 

Early Days

When I look back on my surfing past it makes me grateful for all the good times and good friends.  It started in 1972 when I was in the Navy.  My ship (USS Vancouver) was returning to our home port in San Diego.  I was still a young man of 19 years.  Back then the ships would stop in Pearl to give the crews some rest and relaxation after completing a deployment.  It was my first time in Hawaii and I thought I'd gone to heaven.

Me, Willie Hunt, and Tom Guiger were good friends.  We decided to go down to Waikiki Beach.  I was very keen on going surfing.  Willie and Tom were willing to go along, so off we went.  It turned out that the Armed Forces had a military reservation (Fort Derussy) right on the beach.  They rented surfboards, so we each got one.  It was a beautiful day.  I'll never forget it.  The water was so clean and warm.  After about and hour of goofing around I managed to catch my first wave.  It wasn't the prettiest ride, but I was thrilled.  That's how it started.

When I got back to San Diego I got my own board.  I lived in Imperial Beach and that places gets some really good waves.

Life took a turn for the better.  I met a beautiful women.  When I say beautiful I mean it in every sense.  She made me want to live again.  Julie and I have been together for a little over 2 years now.  I couldn't be happier and she accepts the surfer in me.  Whenever there is surf she is there with me.  It's great to have a supportive partner and she takes great pictures as well.  I'm very thankful for her and all the people that have supported me over the years.

Hot coated the bottom.

The bottom is hot coated.  No bugs this time.  : )

Hot coated the top.

I got the board prepped out and hot coated the top.  One nasty little bug made a mess, but otherwise it came out alright.

Roped and Glassed Fin.

I made the fillet with glass rope and did a single ply of 4 oz. glass. That should be plenty strong.

Blunt nose pivot fin.

I made this from some redwood I had.  I also used redwood for the nose and tail pieces.  It's easy to work and it's light.  I'd plan to use some burl that I got from Mike Skinner.  Because the pivot fin on this board is kinda small I didn't want to waste 1/2 the burl and not be able to book match it.  I'll save it for another project.  I'm doing a single lam of 4 oz on each side.  It'll get another layer when I glass it to the board.

Blunt nose gets laminates.

I got the bottom done a couple days ago and the top got done today.  The weather was perfect for it (mid 70's).  It seems pretty tight.

Prepping out the Blunt Nose.

The nose and tail pieces are done.  There is a little more sanding to do before I laminate.