New for this autumn we’ve got the Webber “The One” surfboard coming in.
“The One” is in many ways the ultimate all-rounder. It suits the broadest range of surfers in the greatest variety of conditions, With all its curves being derived from the high performance Shortboard, the overall feel is of speed and response. yet, due to the slight increases in width and thickness, stability is significantly enhanced.
With the small decrease in length, maneuverability in maintained, which, in combination with the stability, leads to a board which is super easy to ride and absolutely rips small waves. But don’t forget the very same board can be surfed in bigger waves too, or else it couldn’t be called an all-rounder. this is possible due to the slightly lower rocker and the smoother fuller planshape.
These moderate curves create the drive and grip reminiscent of boards from previous decades, but comes together in a package bearing the refinement and subtlety of the most advanced modern day craft.
In Summary
“The One”, One part performance with one part reliability. This combo, when surfed 2″ shorter than your regular shortboard gives a positive feel from the balanced blend of curves yet with a snappy radical side, that comes from the lack of length.
DH has been busy and Down the Line will be stocking a limited number of the Project 15 boards in September 2010, call and reserve your board now! Before they all go. Here’s the skinny on Project 15:-
Where do we start, Project 15 has been one exciting project around BASE. We have seen DH in the bay painting, team-riders and mates all along the coast have been testing these boards and more importantly it has created one fine looking small wave performer.
DH has really capitalized on the resources BASE provides and got everyone involved. What started as a small wave board for himself has evolved into a 15 week project to create the ultimate small wave performer for all surfers around the world. Check out what DH has to say about Project 15.
darren handley painting project 15 surfboards
Normally I would just design a board for one surfer or one type of surfer i.e the Bobby Monster or the Mick Fanning Swivel. With Project 15 I made a bunch of boards with slight variations, all with aim to offer the ultimate performance in small waves and circulated these boards amongst the team, guys in the factory and my friends. Then taking the feedback from that bunch I would shape another bunch and off they would go for testing. I just kept doing this until I got the result I wanted, the ultimate small wave performer. It was a new approach and everyone involved has had a lot of fun doing it.
Taking on everyone’s feedback and using bits and pieces from my other small models the design really evolved into its own. What is really unique to the design, is the curvy plan-shape with the flatter rocker. Especially the last 16 inches, where I have really curved the tail in to a tight rounded square. This allows for tight powerful turns in the pocket, if the wave permits.
Something I have learnt when designing this board, is the flatter rocker combined with a curvy outline is a winning combination. The rocker gives the board the speed it needs to fly down the line, whilst the curvy outline and concaves help to steer the board tight in the pocket for rail to rail performance surfing.
dhd project 15 surfboard
The beauty of this model, is it can be ridden all skill levels and ages. For example myself who normally rides a 6’1, I am enjoying riding a 5’9 Project 15. If I was of a lesser ability than I would just ride it as a 6’1. Because of the width upfront and the volume, it makes it a stable and easy ride. Size wise I would recommend the following in 1-4ft surf of any description.
Pro surfer rides 3″ shorter than your height
Experienced surfer rides 2″ shorter than your height
Advanced surfer rides 1″ shorter than your height
Beginner surfer rides the same length as your height
A lot of people ask me why it is called Project 15, basically I set myself a goal to design this model in 15 weeks. Another thing I did a little different was jump in the spray bay and paint the boards myself, this was heaps of and is where I got the model logo from. Hope you enjoy this model as much as we all have.’ DH
Unique to Project 15 models is Darren Handley’s handpainting. You never know what you will get, DH will be in the spray bay hand painting all the Project 15 models. A constant evolving canvas, bright, colourful and full of suprises.
Custom made surfboard’s are board’s made to specifications submitted to the surf board manufacturer by the surfer/customer.
If you decide to place an order to have a custom surfboard made. It is vitally important to approach a surfboard manufacturer with a good reputation and credible history within the custom surfboard industry. That way, should your custom board not be what you ordered, or does not function correctly for you, then you can go back to the manufacturer and sort it out the problem. Where as a surfboard manufacturer with no history or reputation to uphold may or may not be so helpful.
Also custom built surfboards do require a far greater knowledge of practical function and various performance levels, so be very careful selecting the right company to place your custom order with. Once you have decided on a manufacturer to produce the surf board for you, give them a comprehensive list of what you want to achieve with your new custom made surfboard, and a brutally honest appraisal of your current surfing ability. It’s also important to mention in which areas of your surfing, you hope to improve. do not lie, your surfboard will be custom made for you, based on the information you give.
Here is an example of what you need to consider:
Do you mainly Ride small medium or large waves?
How do you like to surf; quick short arcs or smooth flowing turns?
How you want the custom made board laminated and finished?
Glassing; light, medium or strong?
Finish; wet sand only, 1/2gloss protec or full polish?
Spray design; i.e. a design/colour of your choice?
Basically, you are placing a custom order for a surfboard that’s made for you personally to look and function the way you want.
It is advisable to order your custom made surfboard directly from the manufacturer, not through a surf shop as vital information can be misunderstood in translation from shop assistant to manufacturer. A well made surfboard is a work of art, if want to commission a painting you go directly to the artist not the gallery. It is the same with custom made surfboards.
The first obvious difference is the single fin runs through the water easier than a multi fin board.
Since there is only one fin set at 90°to the bottom shape and sitting parallel with the stringer, these two factors minimis the drag aspect of the fins function allowing the board to pass through the water with minimum drag opposed to all the multi fin set ups where all side fins are set at an angle to the stringer both fins towed in to wards the nose and also splayed out to the rail.
This in turn causes the fins to plough through the water creating more drag than the single fin set up. This can only be relived when the board is turned constantly.
Example of a hull shape (surfboard bottom) repeated five times exactly the same, leave one with no fin and then a single, a twin, tri fin and four fins put them in flat water and line them up then give them all the same thrust from behind. The board with no fin will run the furthest followed by 1 then 2 fin then the 3 and finally the 4 fin set up.
Why? Simple, drag added to the hull, no fin no drag, as each fin is added to the hull so the drag factor increases.
It really is simple logic when though about.
Shane Horan on a McCoy Surfboard
How does this effect performance?
Quite dramatically in terms of performance, regardless of hull shape the fin set up determines the style of performance obtainable and there is a correct way to surf the various set ups as each one needs to be surfed differently to obtain maximum performance.
In terms of performance keeping it simple.
Hulls with side fins will rotate from rail to rail and with side and centre fins a quick short burst of speed is the effect, more a stop start performance.
The single fin gives smooth longer arcs with more overall flow and if the rails are designed correctly through the tail area much greater control in the hollow parts of the wave, tubes and steep walls.
When contemplating a surfboard design keep in mind that each fin combination will surf differently from the other and each combination requires an individual approach to how best to surf the board.
It is not a matter of which design is best, it is a matter of how you wish to surf.
