Point Breaker
This outline is at one end
of the design spectrum . It is designed for forward of center
trim speed and down the line point break surfing. Ideally ridden
from the center
and ahead
of center to initiate long radius turns
and acceleration out of the turns .
This is not an
easy board to ride for most. The natural tendency of most
surfers is to
pivot off of their back foot to maneuver. This approach works fine with a fin or multiple
fins anchored on the tail. The point breaker fin box is set 9" forward and the fin usually
ends up from 11" to 14" from the tail block to the trailing edge depending on where to
each it feels best. Putting
too much pressure on the tail with the back foot can
cause spin outs and or short non accelerating turns.
Long turns are done by standing forward at the wide point of the board, leaning in
the
direction of the turn, pushing the leading rail edge into
the water with both feet,
banking the board over and pushing it
through the turn. It is a very dynamic,
accelerating and visually
beautiful way of turning that must be done
with mind, purpose
and intent. It feel's unbelieveable.
The design is
very difficult to ride backside because a long radius turn must
be done
from the center or ahead of center. A difficult approach
with one's back to the wave
and the natural tendency to pivot
off the back foot for most backsiders. This same aspect
makesturning back from a forhand turn more difficult also but a thing
of skil and
beauty.
My friend Steve Krajewski
was a master of this type of turn back.....beautiful to watch.
The rounder tailed
version seems to be the more commited down the line version and
is more difficult to turn back. The rounded square tail is straighter
through the
end of the
tail curve and is easier to turn back.
I will always recommend the rounded square
tail version
as shown for
the unitiated who are willing to give style of board a go. The
last version
I rode in California was 7' with the rounded square
tail .
Because the outline
is so straight there is more rail to deal with at all times.
Each
inch or two of length has more effect than on a curvier outline.
Increments of two or three inches create very different and stiffer
surfboards.
A 7'6" is a lot of surfboard in this outline
compared to a 7'6" in the "inbetweener".
A board of the same length
in the m3p or "id" plan shape would seem looser in comparison.