Hi Todd,

I see that you are designing on a NMC machine. Very interesting, what a great idea.

Me, 6ft, 165lbs, fit, 50 years old.  Started on a 9-6 Robert August, now on a 8ft- 3.5 inch thick pointing nose Infinity.  Learned at LA point breaks, Sunset, Malibu, Latigo.  Now surfing beach break at Venice and El Porto.

Looking to go shorter, more responsive,

but lets be real, I am 50, and probably a level 2 surfer.

I  would probably want it in EPS.

I am in Venice, very easy for me to drive up to Ventura.

Thanks for your time, and thanks for pushing the board technology forward,

David

Hi David,

Thanks for your e-mail; nice to meet you.

The perfect next level board for you would be

the Lil’ Rascal.

This board has the paddleability of a longer/ thicker board and carries the speed of a retro/ fish style shape down the line, but maintains the responsiveness, maneuverability and holding capacities of a modern high performance shortboard…..

it combines the best of both worlds into one versatile board.

Ideal dimensions to drop down to would be in the 7′2″ – 7′6″ x 22 1/2″ x 3 1/4″.

This board is ideal for the LA points as well as the beachbreaks of Venice and El Porto where you’re surfing.

I recommend the Proxy construction.

The Prroxy is my name for our uniquely handcrafted composite construction.  This is the highest grade board I make for both performance and strength.

The Proxy has the positive flex characteristic of anultralight polyester board,

but with three to five times the strength of a standard

polyester board…..and it is made custom (here in our

Ventura factory from start to finish) to the exact

dimensions that are going to be best for you.

The Proxy is slightly more buoyant which makes for good paddling and lively under your feet as well.
Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.  I know you would be stoked on a magic Proctor Lil’ Rascal.
Looking forward to your reply,
Aloha,
Todd

Hi Todd,

Thank you for your long and thoughtful reply.  A few more questions for you.

Do you vent your Proxy boards to prevent delamination?

What would the cost be of the board you recommend, I am thinking a sand finish.  How long would it take to make?
Best wishes,
David

Hi Dave,

The core material I use doesn’t require venting…

as is the case with other companies that use a recycled form of eps….thermoformed/ molded technologies i.e. surftech as well as firewire and others use  a 1lb. or 1.5 lb typically. The recycled eps is a generic foam used in many different applications traditionally outside the surfboard industry, it is much cheaper, has very low compression strength as well as a high tendency to “vent” at high temperatures or at high altitudes due to the high porosity of the foam….ultimately this will cause foam shear or delamination.

Many companies that outsource their boards, those that mass produce outside the US, those who are trying to save on construction costs, or those that don’t understand the dynamics of different foams use this kind of eps foam in their boards. Then, they have to overcome the associated problems by venting their boards, poking tiny holes all over the skin of the glass job (as is the case with using a closed cell polystyrene) or some other weird thing to try to offset complications caused by using a poor core material.

Other problems associated with a poor core material is that you will be told to get immediately out of the water if you get a ding while surfing….this is  to prevent water absorption into the board core……which can only be removed by applying a vacuum system to it….a nightmare which you should not have to worry about….(and you don’t by the way with the Proxy system).

I use a non recycled or ‘virgin bead’ epoxy foam

that is made for surfboards

and specifically for use with our unique Proxy (custom flexible epoxy custom composite construction). The use of the virgin bead epoxy core foam and its part in the entire Proxy system of construction

eliminates the need for a valve or vent.

It is always advised not to keep your board consistently in extremely high temperatures for extended periods of time….and that goes for any kind of construction since it can weaken the resin-to-core-to-skin bond of the board.

A custom Proxy Rascal in your dims is $775.00 and includes fin system. fins, a two color spray and sand finish to 320 satin.  It takes approximately 3-4 weeks. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I know you would be stoked on a magic Proxy Rascal. Looking forward to your reply,
Aloha,

Todd

P.S. – It might be a good idea to set up a phone or walk-in appointment if you have further questions regarding the uniqueness of the Proxy system…..it is quite different than anything else out there, but also took about ten years for me to dial in this process, so breaking it down and explaining all of its nuances is much easier for me over the phone or in person…..otherwise I end up writing novels and not getting to all the boards I’ve got on my plate.

Hi Todd,

Thank you for your detailed response.

I love a good tech response.

I’ll give a ring to the shop tomorrow and we can go over all the specs and such.
Best wishes,
David