This Easter at Bells marks the 30th Anniversary of the famous 1981 Bells event when Simon Anderson redefined surfing and surfboard design, taking the world by storm with his innovative ‘Thruster’ design.
As a shaper/competitor Simon was always looking for an edge, being a large a guy and powerful surfer, there was something missing in the single fins and twin fins that were being ridden. This inspired Simon to place the third fin into his surfboard designs and it was not long after that his surfing began to dominate.
Due in September 2010 the Bourton Silver bullet shortboard. The Silver Bullet is right in between the Fat and Skinny Bullet. After having to customize down from the Fat Bullet so many times, Muzza reckoned bringing out the Silver Bullet would fill the void between the Fat and Skinny. This model would be suitable for anyone looking for a board that’s easy to paddle, but without the extra width and thickness of the Fat Bullet.
ROCKER: Low entry medium tail lift
BOTTOM: Con vee with cathedral hull
RAIL: Pinched shoulder
GLASSING: 4×4 diagonal with carbon and toe patches
FINS: Quad
New in from September 2010 is the Simon Anderson KB shortboard, call us to reserve yours now! It’s a small wave Mollusc style board with the major difference being the wide rounded square tail. The idea of this board is to get quad style speed and looseness but in a thruster. The bottom has deep single to double concave and vee through the back half of the board like the Mollusc Robo, but the concave through the vee area remains deep, similar to the DK quad.
Simon surfed 6’2×21 ¼x2 ¾ KB with FCS Simon large fins. The extent of the rounded square tail width can freak you out but in 1-3 foot Sydney style beachies it gives you terrifc carry and down the line speed which in small waves sets you up to do satisfying turns at speed in little surf. Good slide control off the top on your forehand and easy rail to rail transition because of the double concave vee through the back half of the board. Mollusc style easy wave catching and take off, surf the KB at least 4” shorter and 1 ¼” wider with the same thickness to 1/8” thicker than normal.
ROCKER: Low to average
BOTTOM: Deep single to double with vee through the back half
RAILS: Low soft
TAIL: Wide rounded square
Dane’s success on the wide rounded square he rode at Trestles, has stirred quiet an interest amongst surfers and the way they are looking at their quiver. We also saw Mick Fanning win last year’s World Title on his cut-down board. Surfers are looking for the shorter wider version of their all rounder, but they don’t want to surf a fish-style board.
They want to be able to push it hard, surf on rail with power and boost in small weak waves as well as good waves. Are these boards the new ‘All Rounder’?
At BASE this phenomenon has inspired all of our shapers, we have seen the LSD ‘Chubby Checker’ designed by Julian Wilson and Luke Short, which is one of Luke’s most popular models at the moment. Muzza brought out his ‘Boot Models’, and rumour has it there is a ‘Little Zappa’ in the making. Then there is the soon to be released Simon Anderson ‘DTS’
DH is that inspired he is not only shaping them he is also painting them. Over the last three months DH has been working with all of his team and a wide range of friends up and down the East Coast of Australia to develop the perfect small wave performer.
It has been an exciting time around BASE, with some very interesting boards going out the door and everyone has been frothing to get a ‘Project 15′ under their feet. With round 3 of the project leaving last week, DH reckons it won’t be long before he has nailed it.
‘It has been an exciting process of trial and error and I have shaped some boards that ten years ago I wouldn’t have even considered shaping. Some boards have been great others needed further refining.
It has been a great Project I have learnt a heap about small wave boards and have had a lot of fun doing it. The team, boys in the factory and some good friends have really jumped on board, the feedback has been great and we are all working towards the same goal and having a ball doing it.’ DH
With only a few weeks to go DH reckons Project 15 will be available for everyone to ride by the end of July.
