Flare

GENERAL GOAL | THEME OF THE BOARD:

A high performance board suited to slightly smaller conditions. 

WAVE TYPE | SIZE IT'S WORKING BEST:

All wave types. From just under waist high up to just overhead. 

MANEUVERS IT DOES BEST:

Floaters, Re-entries, cutbacks.

SKILL LEVEL IT'S BEST FOR:

Novice to Pro.

PADDLE POWER:

SPEED: Average.

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL: Quite good.

OVER WHITE WATER: Great due to the fuller nose.

WAVE CATCHING ABILITY: Average.

WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF WHEN YOU DESIGNED IT?:

This board is an evolution of the Flash. Jimmy found the Flash surfed amazingly well when the conditions were a little bigger, cleaner and hollower. However, when they were a little lackluster the board seemed to be out of its element. Keeping the same rocker line as the Flash but adding additional surface area and even lower rails made it a real machine in the smaller stuff.

WHAT IT POSSIBLY COMPROMISES ON THEN?:

Having a full high performance rocker the board needs a rider who can work the board to get it going or some more powerful conditions. It won’t generate its own speed, it needs input from rider and wave. 

OUTLINE:

Fuller nose, clean bump-free outline into a rounded squash. The generous area up front gives the board great paddle ability when stroking hard for a wave. Whilst the clean bump free outline makes the board super maneuverable from the middle enabling it to surf very radically on both the forehand and backhand. 

RAILS:

Low and tucked with a semi step in the middle. The rails are very low right the way through this board enabling it to cut and pierce the face nicely and be very responsive to bodily inputs. Running the step in the middle means you get the volume exactly where you need it whilst keeping the rails submerged granting fantastic secondary stability. 

ROCKER:

A clean banana style curve all the way. The goal is to have the board feel free, workable and loose no matter where you're standing. Also allows the board to be thrown into high speed hacks and power turns in tight parts of the wave.

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:

It's relatively rolled on this board, the goal being a low rail. At paddling speed, the water rushes over the rail, as the rail is submerged below the waterline, this creates more stability because the board can't bob around without having to lift the water with it. While stationary it's not so effective. 

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:

This is a great high performance board for smaller waves, advanced riders will get the best from this board but it’s suitable for everyone.