To adapt to Hawaiian wave
conditions and still ride conceptually the same kind of boards
with the same kind of feeling I had to make some design adjustments.
By Hawaiian waves I don't mean large Hawaiian waves but rather
small Hawaiian waves. Waves from knee high to 3-5 feet overhead.
I attempted to ride my previous 7' x 22" California board
on a moderate day of overhead Hawaiian surf and the board hydroplaned
out of control.
To accommodate the increased wave power I had to make the California designs less efficient. I made the outlines narrower and added more curve. I added length for paddling ability, nose rocker for wind and later takeoffs and added volume for more buoyancy and paddling ability.
The designs changes adapted the "modifired hull" concept to the waves I now ride and have been for the past fourteen years. I found by adding an inch or inch and a half of width to the overall width throughout the outline that this design worked fine in similar waves height in California.
In the widths recommended for Hawaii below the board is well suited for most small wave conditions with a preference but not limited to front side surfing. In the wider configurations is a great design to ride larger and more powerful mainland waves up to 3 or 4 feet overhead.
For small weak waves the longer lengths will trim along easily and yet be adaptable to larger surf where maneuvering is not a major concern. I have a 7'10" that I use in larger waves and in very small waves where a long board would work. I weigh 155 lbs and use a 7'8" @ 21" wide in Hawaiian surf from knee high to 3-4 feet overhead.