Product Testing

This session was last week deep in SD during a run of really fun sth swells.
I cant yet tell you what the design is but it feels like i bolted on a super charger to my Nano. This board feels stupid good. Magic board.

Footage courtesy of Richard Kenvin.

http://hydrodynamica.blogspot.com/

BOLTS OF LIGHTNING !!!

I have been privileged with the opportunity to shape some concept guns for Lightning Bolt Surfboards. The legendary brand has stepped up to the plate and ordered some of my new Dual Fin Guns as a part of their revival push in the U.S

The Bolt once ruled the big wave domain in Hawaii in the late 70's and Early 80's. This era saw the peak of the world class surfer/shaper's Gerry Lopez, Mark Richards, Rory Russel to name a few, refining their own sleds to tackle the gnarliest waves in the world. I have always loved the foil templates of this era. Bullet noses with clean accelerating curves. Full Fluid Accelerators !!

It was my goal to try to re-produce this proven curve with all the modern design elements. Basically, I shaped a modern version of a 7'6 and 8'0 Lightning Bolt Pin Tail, proceeded to saw approx 6-8" off the tail before cutting in my (mini) Raptor V1 & V2 tails for low drag control.

I figured losing the pin tails adding the Raptors would open up the turning radius (tighter Arcs) reduce drag (speed increase) and balance it out with a naturally controlled, Parallel Dual-Keel fin setting to provide a stable, predictable ride.

Think of it as a ‘Double single fin’ with heel/toe control rather than a ‘twin-fin’ .

Furthermore, i feel there will be no loss of paddle power as the now wider pod area will lift the tail into waves resulting in a smaller more efficient big wave package.

I decided that the high velocity ‘Tomohawk Keels’ were apt for these designs to combat the extreme laminar pressures apparent in big wave surfing. The leading edge of the fins will efficiently cut through the water with effective rail to rail pitch. Once the board is on rail, the clean parallel rail outline will engage, the hatchet fin will flex and load accelerating the rider through the turn. I have experienced no cavitation as a result of using the particular angular fins,

Whether or not this is a breakthrough in big wave performance will remain to be seen.

But logic suggests, two is better than one, faster than three and four and all the performance boxes are ticked and circled. Cant wait to launch over a few ledges this Coming Winter.

*Special thanks to Moonlight Glassing for the pro glass jobs.

The coming of the Dual fin Big Wave Guns !!

My faith in the Dual fin is no secret. Scientific reason will suggest it is the fastest fin setup but experience has taught me it also has extraordianary control, combine the two elements and why shouldnt the modern dual fin regin supreme in big waves? Even in the Biggest waves. Bob Simmons did it in the 50's with historical success, in fact his big waves were his passion and certainly a major part of his planing hull development, it was his 9'6" balsa dual fin designs were his most legendary. Come the second decade of the 21st centrury quad fins are moving to the forefront of modern big waves surfing, but why use 4 fins when 2 will do the same job? albeit, a better job. less drag for sure! better control?.... i would bet the farm!! and no need to pump for speed and pocket pivots why use a thruster? Dual fin wins hands down in my opinion.

I have been on dual fins in big waves exclusively for 4 years, mainly for my own pleasure and pursuit of a pure speed experience. (see bellow for evidence of my big wave dual fin development) i feel comfortable now that my elements of balanced refinement of the big wave Dual fin is ready for launch!

* Dual fin : Double foiled fins (or keels) set parralel to the stringer or 0 degrees tow. { Not the same as Twin fin} which is: twin single foiled fins which are towed into the nose.

* Gun: Surfboard designed for big waves.


http://dantomo.blogspot.com/search/search/?q=2007


http://dantomo.blogspot.com/search/?q=Dual+fin+guns

Sacred Craft Santa Cruz (this weekend)

I will be showing a selection of my 2011 works and upcoming concepts, this weekend (19th and 20th) at the sacred Craft Expo in Santa Cruz C.A

A Prayer for all my Friends in Japan.

I Pray for the safety of all my freinds in Northern Japan and all those effected by the tradgic quake and tsunami. hope you guys made it to safety and your loved ones are ok.

Carbon Flexfoil

TOMO UNI-DIRECTIONAL CARBON FLEXFOIL.

A new uni-directional carbon fibre lamination for the Modern Planing Hull (MPH) range to give the boards greater response, control and drive.

Noticeably more response to energies exerted by the surfer with a rapid flex memory and controlled flex distribution.

The foil pattern gives more stiffness through the front foot which allows the board to punch solidly through the lip or chops on the face while effectively and evenly distributing the load through to a more flexible tail for added thrust (acceleration) through turns, much like a fin distributes load through to the tip for drive

Upgrade in:

.Control.
.Response.
.Drive.
.Liveliness (more rapid flex memory)
.Strength.

.Stringer less EPS, Epoxy. Ultra lightweight and very strong.

Designed and tested by Daniel Thomson.

Carbon Inlay Power-drives

Carbon fiber Inlay has produced excellent results with increasing the flex memory of the powerdrive fins. i would say they give the fin (and the whole ride in general) a 20% boost rapid forword thrust and life like feel. This procedure has also allowed me to reduce the thickness the pannel to further reduce the drag through the water. another step in the right direction. Also availble for fcs system, with orders of Tomo or Krypt boards only.