Saturday, May 10, 2008

DIMENSIONS OF FLEX

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Figured I'd chime in on the flex fin subject started by the recent posts at Cabinessence and Shelter with some flex comparison photos below ripped from the Grand Wizard's website which is worth the quick read concerning flex fins.
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Pic 1) True Ames L Flex
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Pic 2) Fiberglass Fin Co. G.L. Flex
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Pic 3) Refoiled Bahne (A.K.A Fins Unlimited) Flex
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All have their place and provide a choice for the frontsider and backsider in various surfing conditions.
— G. Liddle
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Also... some vid clips up on the Liddle website that these frame grabs of Dirt were ripped from:
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...Pist, Style and Jive.
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10 comments:

Graham said...

Agreed. each has their place. Having fun on the new GL flex so far, always liked the True Ames stuff and have yet to actually experience the Liddle/Bahne Combo.

Flex is a beautiful thing!

Unknown said...

pushed the limits on the TA flex this a.m. on OH HQ southern juice. took twinfinners' advice on sliding the fin low in the box, and latedrops on hull con flex is more work than its worth. might have to go back to the concaves of a bonzo against my will in the hollow juice.

pranaglider said...

Good to see more discussing of the fins for these boards (all boards really). Definitely the key to get the performance you want. When I was playing with the last hull I ended up carrying five different fins around with me to try out different combos. Fun stuff!

R.T. said...

fun is definitely the key word, captain-p.

i've done my share of late drop donuts on singles. always a fun challenge. bonzo rules for the diamond run drop ins.

Graham said...

The Five-r still definitely has its place.

pranaglider said...

Kaser's Kompound does work well blended with the bonzers. But I do remember back in the dark ages when a single fin and some edge control allowed for some tubeiferous surfing. TwinFins Dad's board (TDB) for instance.

pranaglider said...

That certainly is what I was driving at. That single fins were / are useful as tube riders, with the appropriate rails or fins (widow makers, bonzers etc) but then it occurred to me that I ride a mat with no fins! (flippers maybe) So either I have NO IDEA what I am talking about (always a strong probability) or the trick is to get something, be it a fin / rail combo or a freely adaptable soft rail to hold in whilst making the drop into tube land.
Definately like to get together in the lineup now you are back. You are back aren't you?

R.T. said...

NOTE: FOR PROPER CONVERSATIONAL ORDER, THIS COMMENT SHOULD SIT BETWEEN PRANAGLIDER'S MAY 13, 7:13AM and 12:17PM COMMENTS:


i hear what you're driving at, captain-p. i love single fins in the barrel. and i love my single fin hull. but when pushing the limits of steep drops it's hard to argue against the fact that having some fins biting out at the rails helps in side slip prevention.

lets not forget that even G.Liddle offers some of his hulls with side bites. fittingly, his Hawaiikine board model is pictured on his website with side fins.

sometimes it take more than just edge even for the most talented edge controller. there's no way we'd be seeing the level of how deep, steep, and balls out drops guys are making these days paddling into spots like pipe, teahupoo, and assorted madman slabs without fins out on the rails.

again, i love my single fins— feels unreal once in the tube, but look at those beloved old surf flicks and you can see where the single fin poses a challenge for even the best of pipe chargers in those days.

hope to cross paths with you and your magic amoeba soon for a hangout in the lineup.

cheers

R.T. said...

right on, captain. yep, i'm back. i'll be stoked to cross paths soon.

Miles Thompson said...

DIIIRT - nice grabs

dropped a 9.5 GL FLex by FFCo. into my box and am liking it's forgiving nature a lot - look at that FinsU's load capacity - most!