Hi Todd,

A few words to tell you how much I love the boards you made for me.
Time is going and I’m thinking of a new order for the end of summer.
So I would like to get your suggestions for 3 or 4 more new boards:

1- Going to the Mentawais in October so i’m thinking of

SR 71 or Ante up in 6’8 ( 19 3/8? 2 1/2?)
Proxy + carbon hinged flex tail?

Good dimensions….maybe could go 19 ¼” width….I recommend Ante-up…are you wanting to drop the thickness a bit on these boards as to previous one’s? Do you want to drop the rail volume also just a bit. You can get away with lower rail volume for boards for Indo since the waves are so perfect and have good push to them. I recommend round pin.

2- My favorite board is that first Proxy Lil’ Rascal you made for me

in 6’1 x 20 3/4 x 2 9/16.

She’s getting old now and I’m thinking of a new one.
Should i get the same?

That is a good solid board…I would stick with the same dimensions for sure if that one is feeling that good…
Should i try that new Lill Spuddy?Same size?

Yea, I would go with the same dimensions with the round tail/ Lil’ Spuddy model.
What is the difference between them or with the Greased Rascal?

The Greased Rascal you ride a bit longer and narrower than the original Rascals, and it has the bottom and rocker of the Greased Pig, so it is a little bit more favored to small waves with shape and will surf in bigger waves also and still ride clean. It is a great board too, but similar to the Greased Pig….so I would go with your original Rascal dimensions in round tail Lil’ Spuddy model.

3-Looking for an all around Proxy Titanium series

in 6’4 (19 1/2? 2 1/2?).

G4E? Blackbird? Accelerator? Something else?

I would go with the G-4….I have a really good design file in 6’4”. This one also has the thinner volume I noticed….do you feel like you can go a bit thinner on your boards for good waves? As you progress, typically you can start riding boards that have less volume; you just don’t want to sacrifice too much paddling, but I think you could go thinner on this batch of boards especially since they are for Indo style waves.
The Blackbird is a good one too, but it favors being ridden off the back foot. The tail and fins like to release in the lip on this board, so if that is what sounds good to you then this would be a good one to run with.
The Accelerator is a bit more of a Grovel style smaller wave board and for marginal conditions ( I have been riding mine a lot lately actually), so I don’t know that it is going to be a board that is your best bet for Indo….maybe for another order or for waves at home.
Dimensions for each of these I think you could go: 6’4” x 19 ¼” x 2 ½” rounded squash for the G-4 or Blackbird, and squash, round tail or swallowtail for the Accelerator.

4-I’m surfing 50% of the time my new Greased Pig with carbon rails.

So i’m thinking of an other one 6’4? 19 5/8? 2 9/16?

Good dimensions….can’t go wrong with the parabolics and the channels work insane of this board….been making quite a few of them lately…

Proxy,Parabolic stringer + 6 channels?

Please let me know what you think about this.I’m in total confidence with your suggestions.

Let me know your current weight because I think we can drop the volume of your boards just a bit….keeping the paddle, but gaining a bit more responsiveness and performance by making the overall volume and rail volume just a bit more sensitive…..let me know what you think of this too…? I also have a new construction method where the boards are super light….they are not quite as strong as with the 6oz. like we have been doing, but they are still amazingly strong, but very very light….so if you are interested in going a little bit lighter weight I am now offering a construction series for this also. If you are happy with the strength, weight, and performance on your boards now, then I would just stick with what has been working….maybe just try one of two of the new smaller boards with the super lightweight glassing constructiong….
Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I know you would be stoked on some magic Indo carpets.
Looking forward to your reply,

Todd

Best,
Vincent

Hi Todd,

nice to get your suggestions.

My current weight is 150lbs and i’m 45 years old.

I think i can go a bit thinner on my boards so i will follow you to drop the volume a bit but without missing the paddle too much.

Yes, I think we can go thinner without sacrificing paddle, but gaining performance.

My order would be:

1 Ante up 6’8/ 19 1/4 / 2 1/2

with lower rail volume,rounded pin
Proxy,carbon hinged flex tail …

do you want the futures or f.c.s. fin system for this board, and what color for the spray fade (two-tone light grey looks good or two tone light blue fade with the carbon hinge.

2 Lil’ Spuddy proxy. Stringerless with carbon rails?

I’m ready to try it smaller and thinner (6’0? 20 1/2 ?) if you want.

New dimensions sound good….do you want to go with tri fin or five fin setup? What color for the fade, and what fin system?

3 G 4E 6’4 x 19 1/4 x 2 1/2 rounded squash.

Proxy,construction?(Titanium upgrade?Parabolic?New super light glassing construction?)

I think super light glass with titanium parabolic would be sick for this one…..and in the two-tone light gray fade for the color with futures or f.c.s.?

4 Greased pig 6’4 /19 5/8/ 2 9 /16

Proxy,parabolic stringer,6 channels
super light glasing construction;

super light glassing is good with channels and parabolics….nice….two tone light blue would look nice to easily differentiate between the other greased pig. Do you want  f.c.s. or futures…..tri fin or five fin?

Does it sounds good to you?
When do yo think i should order the boards to be sure to get them in september?July?

It is getting very busy right now, so I think probably the sooner the better….at the very latest by July, better by end of May or June for me personally…..so I can take the time to do exceptional job…..I’m very excited about these new dimensions for you…..I think these boards are going to be your biggest progression in your surfing.
Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.
Looking forward to your reply,
aloha, Todd

Best,
Vincent

Hi Todd

I will put my order by the end of may.

For each board I’m ready to drop the volume a bit to

gain peformance without sacrificing paddle.

I would like 4 new boards from you:

1- Ante Up 6’8 x 19 1/4 x 2 1/2 rounded pin Proxy,carbon hinged flex tail

Futures fins ,full camo green with no fade.
I will bring it with me to the Mentawais at the end of the year.

2- Lil’ Spuddy 6’1 x 20 1/2 x 2 9/16 stringerless with carbon rails,

fin setup,Futures fins,camo green spray.

3-Greased pig 6’4 x 19 5/8 x 2 9/16 Proxy,parabolic stringer,

6 channels,super light glassing

Full camo green,no fade.3 fin setup.
Futures fins if possible with the channels,if not FCS.

4-For the last board i think i will take another four leaf clover

because i love soo much this board.

What would you say of:

4 leaf clover  6’4 / 19 3/4 / 2 9/16 diamond tail super light glass with titanium parabolic in the two tone light gray fade
Future fins with AM2?

Please give me your advice for this final order.Do you think i should change anything?
If it’s OK for you could Charissa send me an advice around the end of May for Paypal payment?

Best,
Vincent

Hey Todd,

I am absolutely loving the quad board

you made for me a year or two ago–

#6902, 6’6″x19″x2.5″.
If you recall, I’m 5’9″, about 158 lbs, and in really good shape.

It is my main board for almost everything

I encounter between Oxnard and Jalama.

It has really taken my riding up a huge amount– I am ripping all over the wave, turning much faster and harder, able to take off better and really get into the waves and take lines I had always dreamed of but couldn’t pull off.  It is so much fun pumping the board up and down the face, generating speed, then cutting hard on the top of the wave and on the bottom of the wave.  At Rincon I can take a big drop, make a nice bottom turn, and pump down the line and get around sections….all that great stuff I really struggled with before…

I have yet to find a situation where it feels better as a thruster than as a quad.

It feels like the board paddles faster and also moves faster as a quad,

and probably because I am a front-footed

surfer to a fault,

(years of skateboarding I guess),

it never feels too loose for me.

My bottom turns have really progressed and gotten much more aggressive, so the quad does not feel too loose for my style and technique.

Despite my total satisfaction, I am wondering about a second board.  It would be a step-up board–

something that helps me paddle into bigger,

juicier waves like you can get on a

good day at Tarantula’s–

well overhead to double overhead.  I had really good luck with a Becker 7’6″ mini-gun thruster design up there– it got the waves early, held great and caught the face even on almost vertical or air drops, and was very maneuverable once it was flying with the kind of speed that a big, powerful wave generates.  But I dinged that board (someone else dropped in on me and cut it up bad) and it was never the same after the repair (nose felt too heavy) so I sold it.  I picked up a used 7′ Matt Moore thruster, and it feels great, but doesn’t seem to have enough volume and/or length to actually catch big waves very well.  I am a strong paddler but I have seen stronger out there, especially on North Shore Hawaii.  Even though the MM 7′ board is longer and probably has more volume, I think the 6’6″ quad board you made me actually paddles faster!  I  haven’t actually tried the 6’6″ at T’s on a bigger day, but  I probably will try it until I have something else…

So I was at Jalama just yesterday, with well overhead to double overhead set waves, and I was using my Clyde Beatty Rocket Fish, approx 6’4″ length, big twin fin with tiny little baby trailer fins for a quasi-quad.  (I was expecting it to be smaller up there so I took  the Fish.  I was pleasantly surprised that real sets were still coming in, I guess you could  say.)  It had the huge advantage of paddling power for catching the waves, but of course felt too squirrelly to try any big moves- I had to be ginger with any bottom turns and carve careful lines.
Despite its loose, skatey feel, I have to say that I absolutely loved the extra paddle power I was getting with the Rocket Fish– reminded me of the extra paddle power I had been getting with the Becker mini-gun.

On top of that, I read all about Kelly’s exploits on this weird, tiny, thick board he made that is more or less a K-Step board with the nose cut off.  And I know that good riders are pulling into heavy waves like Pipe on boards way shorter than I would think could be used….so it raises the question, is it really more about total volume, or is length also essential for holding on the wave during and after the drop?

Or, is wave face holding really more

about rail/tail shape and fin setup?

Clearly, if Kelly can ride a 5’6″ or something board at places like Teahupoo and Pipe, length is perhaps not such a critical issue.
Tow-in boards are short, too, so by simple deduction I have to conclude that length is not the crucial factor for big-wave holding power– it’s really more for paddling power.  Then again, the tow-in boys don’t have to deal with vertical semi-air drops, either.  But, if a short, thick fish can have plenty of paddle power, maybe I don’t need a gun or mini-gun for bigger days when I mainly just need to paddle faster??

So, anyway, bottom line is I am kind of wondering whether something just a touch thicker, and/or a touch wider, and/or a touch more pin-ny in the tail, and/or with slightly bigger fins would be the ticket for a step up board that would help me in bigger, stronger waves, but that would still feel a lot like the board you already made for me.  Something that would potentially perform as well as my 7’6 mini-gun, without actually being a minigun?  Something that is also good for a front- or center- footed surfer?

It shouldn’t feel too loose in a big,

fast wave, but should feel loose

enough in smaller waves, too.

Finally, why not just get a mini-gun?  Well, I guess I still am thinking there is a board out there that really should work well for me in almost anything I will  encounter here in So. Cal— if it’s just got a bit more paddle power than the board you already made for me, and holds well at high speed, then it should work in just about anything.  If it’s strictly designed for big waves, then I worry it will feel sluggish in the small stuff, and I will have to bring at least a two-board quiver on some of my surf quests.  I would rather look at the buoy readings, make the call and pick one board, and if when I arrive at the surf spot it turns out I made the wrong board choice, the board still works pretty well.  One time I took the Becker to Jalama and it was way smaller than I was expecting– below head high with only Cracks working– and that board totally sucked in those conditions.

In fact, for now, I think on my next big wave session I am just going to take the 6’6″ board you made for me and see if I can get the job done with that board….I suspect that if I can paddle hard enough it will take great care of me once I’m on the wave.  Put it this way– I was way happier making do with a Rocket Fish on well overhead waves than I was making do with a 7’6″ mini-gun on shoulder high waves– the fish still made for an epic session and the mini-gun was total crap.

Of course, for a “step-up board” I would just as soon go with one of your more stock designs rather than a fully custom design if you think you have something that you would recommend.  I think I read somewhere that you are  combining one of your groveler designs with the Blackbird design…maybe something like that is the thing to go for?  Maybe a board with slightly more volume than the one you made for me, possibly with two different fin setups- bigger fins for well overhead,  and smaller ones for head high and below waves?

Anyway, I immediately thought of you because

a) you already made one “magic board” for me;

b) you are a very progressive shaper

and are thinking about these kinds of things; and

c) I trust you to give sound advice and

help me cut through the hype and confusion.

I have surfed Hawaii North Shore in double-overhead + at Haleiwa, Lani’s, and Chun’s, and I know first-hand that I will probably still try to get hold of a serious 8′ mini-gun or something when I am there, because those waves were insanely fast, thick, and powerful for their size– like nothing I’ve ever seen anywhere, and those boys over there can paddle like nothing I’ve ever seen before, too.  But I am starting to think that there is a more conventional board shape that should work well for me in just about everything that we see here, even on our biggest west swells– something that is not necessarily a mini-gun or gun design.

Granted, those North Shore boys are

on a whole different level–

they were still using boards about a foot shorter than me and doing just fine….so I realize that it’s not just the surfboard, it’s the surfer, too.  If I could paddle like a pro or a North Shore local I probably could do it all on the board you already made for me.

But I’m just an intermediate surfer,

don’t do contests, and am looking

for a board that works for me,

not a board that works for a pro.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing your thoughts–

–
Chris M

Hi Chris,

Good to hear from you. Sounds like you’ve been well and been getting plenty of waves. Stoked the board we did is going good for you!!

I always enjoy getting the feedback

from everybody…so cool…

Anyway, I read through your very thorough breakdown; thanks, good job on explaining your thoughts; it has helped make it very clear for me to know exactly the direction you should go.

You are spot on with your ideas

regarding overall volume for paddling

as opposed to just length.

In the majority of the waves we get here in California anyway, you can get away with a shorter board if the overall volume matches what is right for you as an individual surfer. Judging off what you have written here and the dimensions of your last board, I think you could stay with the length of 6’6″ but go 19 1/2″ x 2 5/8″ with a thumbtail. This will give you the paddleability necessary for the bigger/ hollower days when more water is moving.

The thumbtail comes in good on those

days too with a nice positive hold in the power.

I would keep the rail volume close to the same as your current board; maybe slightly fuller, but mostly just more foam in the middle for paddling and

keep the deck domed foiling down to a rail

that is still going to be responsive and

positive through turns.

I would keep the same overall rocker and hull contours as that particular rocker is very versatile generating speed in smaller waves, yet still holding in on the powerful ones. Possibly just a touch less entry rocker for early entry into waves and increased drive down the line and carry through flat spots…same tail rocker.
Let me know your thoughts. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. Looking forward to your reply, Aloha,

Todd

Hey, Todd,

That sounds like the ticket.  I think I will order this from you, but not right away– in a month or two.

Chris M

Ok Chris, Sounds good….

just lemme know when you are ready to roll, or if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
Have a great day,
Aloha,

Todd

Hi Todd….I’m coming out Friday afternoon to get a board ordered, but thought I’d drop you a line to give you some time to put together some thoughts on this project. Ideally, I’d like to get the board by mid-May because I’m taking a short trip to north San Diego county and might have a chance to ride a few waves there. I’d like a board short enough to lay down in the back of my SUV… a 6’10″ barely fits, but more ideally a board in the length of 6’2″ to 6’8″. The board should be versatile enough to be a travel board to ride in beach, reef or point breaks along southern california…maybe knee or waist high to a little overhead?…but I’d also like to be able to ride it in nice conditions at C street and/or fairgrounds in Ventura. As if that doesn’t create enough problems for a shaper, add these. I’m just under 6′ tall, and weigh 175 pounds before you add the wetsuit. I am in fair shape for my age (56)but definitely appreciate some glide and flotation in shorter boards. I primarily ride longboards,but do want to open my versatility in riding different equipment. You shaped me a 7’11″ elipse last year which paddles and glides great without being corky.

I used to ride boards in the 6’6″ to 7′ range, mostly eggs, and some that were shorter, but that was a long time ago. I have a 6’10″ twinzer winged fish shaped at Kane Garden. It is about 22″ wide and two and seven eigth inches thick. It floats and paddles fine, but sometimes rides a little corky, and can feel a little too loose (or not positive enough) in turns unless I really get it on edge. I’ll try to bring it to show you.

Particularly on shorter equipment I tend to weight my front foot a lot on turns. I have a tendency to stand forward even on the twinzer and have to remind myself to step back. I like boards that drive out of turns, but do appreciate the lines that can be drawn out of more modern equipment. I tend toward wider boards and have not found much use in years past for real narrow mini-gun type shapes.

I believe I’ll be real open minded to whatever you suggest (…or am I just confused…), but some of my initial thoughts might be like this. It I went shorter..like 6’2″… maybe a fish type shape would be best to get the advantages of the wide nose and tail in paddling, etc. On the other hand, that new Bullet single fin model seems to offer some interesting prospects in glide and drive given the outline, width configurations, etc.
I haven’t ruled out the Manatee, but not sure how it would be in a beach break scenario. Haven’t ruled out trifins…they seem to go great backside particularly…but I wonder how they would or would not fit my style and need for paddling ability. Probably a lot of other options you might come up with….or, given the task I and asking you to do, maybe you’ll just tell me to go away and leave you alone !

All in all I’d like the board to be both a fun and reliable little devil. Sounds a little impossible. Be interested in what you think. See you soon……………………..Brian Moore.

——————————————————————————————————–

Shaper Designed/Detailed Board
Proxy custom Epoxy Lil’ Rascal / Bullet Hybrid
6’4″ x 21″ x 2 7/8″ diamond tail – longboard box install + quad FCS

The Bullet –

Some people say, “Man, I’m tired of wiggling….I’m tired of my board sticking…

“I wanna go fast, I wanna feel free to speed and arc out my turns where I wanna.”

These same people also say, “I don’t want to think no more ‘bout having to surf technical and perfect in the pocket….and having my board punish me if I don’t…..someone gimme a bullet.”

Ideal conditions: knee high, mushy and blown to ribbons, to overhead glassy barrels

Experience: low intermediate through advanced

Designed for: fast, free single fin retro ripping with a twist of modernity thrown in.

Visit the surfboard showroom online

Set up a custom surfboard design consultation with Todd

Hi Todd,

I haven’t talked to you since I got my EPS “Ridiculous” single fin with side bites (6′4″ x 20″ x 2 5/8″) a year ago October. Thought you should know I’m still loving it. People at “Uppers” (Trestles) continue to comment on it and how well I surf on it.

And my wave count is through the roof.

Anyhow, I’m about ready to make some quiver changes and the “lil Rascal” is sounding a bit tempting. I’ve been riding the “Ridiculous” with a 5 1/2 inch single and the small longboard side fins.

I really like the positive, flowy feeling of the single fin- especially backside because I’m goofy footed.

I have ridden it as a twin and a half and didn’t care much for it. So, here’s the question. Would you recommend the “lil Rascal” with a similar fin set-up? I’m curious because it looks like a board I could surf a bit more radically. The nose, rocker, and outline looks very similar between these two boards, thus the transition would be easy between the two. The “lil Rascal” seems like you’ve trimmed the fat, shortened, and put a more pure twin set-up on it than the “Ridiculous”. Is this the case, and how could it be adapted for a 6′2″ tall, 35 yrs. old weighing 175lbs? I’d love to believe I surf as good as Jay, but…. Would you recommend a 6′ 0″ x 20 x 2 5/8″?” Too big or small?

I’d love for it to paddle similar to my current board (or better if you can work miracles).

As always,

Thanks for your time and attention to detail.

Sincerely,

Mark Quest

6′4″ x 20″ x 2 5/8″ Ridiculous Small Wave Wonder, Single Fin thumbtail/roundpin
custom flexible epoxy surfboard construction

Visit the Lil’ Rascal page and watch the movies

Hi Mark,

Good to hear from you. Happy New Year!! Glad to hear your stoked on the Ridiculous. The Ridiculous is just as you perceive….a more
modern version similar to what you are riding now, but with

quicker reaction and responsiveness for tighter hooking turns

while still maintaining the speed. If you want to keep close to the same paddleability as the 6’4″, I uggest you don’t drop it down too much -
I think the magic would be 6’1″ x 20 1/8″ x 2 5/8″ Rascal….and you could even go with a five fin plug setup so you could ride it as a thruster, or quad, or twinny
with small trailer, or straight twinny, or….etc..

I can’t make the paddle better than your 6’4″ unless we add some volume, but you would have to let me know if you’re up for that cause a thicker rail will move through the water different in and out of turns. Lemme know your thoughts…..

Looking forward to your reply….and to making a sicky Rascal for you.

Aloha,
Todd

Thanks so much for the speedy reply Todd.

Everything sounds spot on. There are two concerns I have: 1. I’m not really fond of how Fishes surf (I haven’t seen many people ride them very well). I assume this is because of the wide nose and narrower tail. Is the tail width pretty close to that of the “Ridiculous”? If not, what do you recommend?

2. I have grown accustomed to the positive, drivey feeling of having a larger back fin with smaller side-bites.

Would you recommend such a set up for the Lil Rascal?

Being a goofy-footer at Uppers means backside 98% of the time. Then at O-side it’s more like 50%. My back side surfing is much more flowing; smooth, full throttle arching bottom and top turns, and down the line floaters. This is mostly because I’m tall, Uppers has a small pocket, and I’m old and lazy :-}. Front side is just the opposite.

I’m much more radical off the top and enjoy releasing the tail when applicable,

perhaps because I can see the sweet spot of the wave easier.

I am not close minded to a true tri fin. I suppose I simply need to be convinced. If you have any other recommendations (tails, rails etc.) please let me know.

Forgive my odd questions, I’ve always been fond of unconventional boards and fin set-ups, so I require lots of convincing.

Thanks again for your time,

Mark Quest

Hi Mark,

Waves are smaller than they have been in awhile up here today, but the weather sure is beautiful.

The nose width on the Lil’ Rascal is pretty much the same as the Ridiculous….maybe just a touch narrower.

You could set up the Rascal much the same way as the Ridiculous with the box in the back and removable side fins….so you could try as larger center fin with small sides, single fin, twinny, twin with small trailer, etc…see what works best for you.

Personally I like it with the larger twinny’s and a small center….also actually works good as a thruster believe it or not. I think the best bet is to set it up with what you know works for you with room to experiment too….can’t go wrong thatta way.

The Rascal has a similar rail to what you have there in the Ridiculous (full and boxy with a flatter deck), it does have a slight bit more nose rocker (super slight….don’t panic) to be able to go a little more pockety. The tail width is very similar….and I recommend a swallowtail….or you could try a double wing swallowtail loosens it up a bit off the tail.

This board will be a smooth transition for you coming from what you already know in the Ridiculous….same speed, just more responsive….a blending of old school easy speed with modern board dynamics to give it that special zing.

Ok, well please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

Have a great rest of the weekend…talk to you later, Aloha,

Todd

Sorry to hear there’s no surf Todd. I surfed fun, shoulder high o-side today. Come on down if you need to get out of Dodge.
Well, you’ve convinced me… and I think I’ll try it without the box.
It adds weight and drag, and I’m sure I could put a G7 on if I need to.
I’ve been riding the fin cluster pretty tight lately to loosen things up- probably because I’ve been wanting more performance.

So the FCS 3 fin set up sounds good, unless you can convince me that the 5 fin set up is the true placement for a quad. I know Matt Biolis is doing this too, but I have a hard time believing that the fin cluster is in true tri-fin or quad position without one being out of kilter.

Anyway, I rambling… When’s the best time I can call you; get the details ironed out, get the order in, get the check mailed, and get my new Rascal in the water?

Again,
your service has been refreshing,

your product world class,

your website, so stimulating I ‘m buying another board that I don’t really need .

It’s a pleasure to give my money to a PROFESSIONAL board builder in a world of wannabes.

Thanks,
Mark