Comments for boardsandwetsuits.com.au

Comment on Wetsuit experiences by AndrewBoldman

AndrewBoldman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:53:32 +0000

Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting.

Comment on Surfboard Design by KrisBelucci

KrisBelucci — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:52:55 +0000

Great post! Just wanted to let you know you have a new subscriber- me!

Comment on Surf fitness by Muzza

Muzza — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 10:53:34 +0000

G’day Leith
Running and skipping are both great forms of cardio-vascular exercise and will help with general fitness. The thing I don’t like about running, is that unless you have been conditioned to it from a young age, it is quite hard on the body. Skipping is probably better in that you are bouncing on your toes, rather than striking your heel, so your foot/ankle/calf are acting as shock absorber.
If you want to keep fit for surfing, nothing beats surfing. Next best choice, in my opinion, is laps of a pool 2-3 times a week.

Comment on Surf fitness by Leith

Leith — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:20:19 +0000

Hey muzza have been reading your website very interesting, Was thinking about some speed work e.g spirts.But I see you are not a big fan of runinng, and also what about skipping. Thanks.

Comment on Surfboard Design by Muzza

Muzza — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:45:24 +0000

Hi Matt,

I will have a modified retro fish available as a demo board hopefully later this week. Its being glassed at the moment.

The first batch of Retro fishes we did were 13 inches wide point to point at the tail. Very fast down the line but a bit hard to pull around in to a cutback. So we have drawn in the tail by 3 inches and changed the rails and the thickness profile on the next ones.

I think these boards will suit you much better than the Modern Fish I have on Ebay. One thing that would be handy to know Matt - how big are you?

Comment on Surfboard Design by Matt

Matt — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:55:59 +0000

Hi there, do you have any demo modern fish boards around at the moment?

Comment on Surfboard Design by Muzza

Muzza — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:22:29 +0000

I read this interview wth Mark Richards today on http://www.surfingthemag.com. In it he says something that I have thought for a darned long time. To quote him,
“The problem with surfboard design in the last few years is that we’ve been influenced too much by what is happening on tour and a lot of fun recreational surfers have been stitched up with a board very similar to what the pros are riding. And between the average surfer and the pro surer there’s quite an ability difference [laughs], so they’ve just been riding a board that’s too thin, too narrow and too refined for the conditions they go surfing in. So I think they’ve have latched onto twins and retros because the boards have more volume. And they’re finding that in average beachbreak conditions the board floats them better, it paddles better, it planes over dead sections better, and they’re basically having more fun riding it. So I think it’s a really good time in surfboard design at the moment. If you want to walk down the beach with a 5′10″, 20-inch wide twin fin, that’s totally cool. Or if you want to walk down the beach with a 6′6″ Thruster that’s 18 inches wide, that’s cool as well. I think that’s good; I think that’s how surfing should be. Everyone’s a different size and shape; everyone surfs differently. So everybody should be on different types of boards.”

Well said Mark!

Comment on Surfboard Design by Muzza

Muzza — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:28:19 +0000

Surfed tiny waves at Bells this morning with Bruiser and had a ball! I was on the 6′2″ fish, Bruiser who is taller and heavier than me on the 6′10″ fish. Caught a stack of waves. The 6′2″ for me was the right board. Bruiser and I swapped and he definitely did much better in the 6′10″. I was just amazed that we were able to do so much on such a tiny wave on these boards. Way more fun than a minimal or mal.
I am definitely keeping a 6′2″ for myself. I previoiusly thought the 6″10″ was “my” board, but I felt some much more comfortable on the 6″2″ even though my feet were dragging in the water. I feel like I am surfing like a kid again on this board. When I was a kid I was riding Pat Morgan/Dennis Day/Strapper fish and they were awesome then, but these boards are way better. I think the quad fin setup gives them more drive.

Comment on Surfboard Design by dazza

dazza — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:15:07 +0000

Hi Muzza,
I have enjoyed surfing the 6″2 quad fin retro fish. It paddles very well and each time Ive taken it out Ive had plenty of waves. The feel of the board is very different from my regular short board. Its “skatey”. The wide and flat shape of the board allows you to generate speed quickly and the fin set up makes it feel loose. Cut backs are really easy on this board. I disagree with Nick in terms of the drive. Sorry Nick. I havent felt comfortable with top to bottom moves on this board because it doesnt drive as well off the bottom as a thruster. But this is a board for small to medium size waves and perfect for point breaks such as possos and rincon. I feel much more comfortabe paddling this board out into a line up of mals and that is what makes the retro fish a great addition to the quiver.

Comment on Surfboard Design by Muzza

Muzza — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:19:11 +0000

All the changes you suggested would basically make a new board which really wouldn’t be a Retro Fish. The Retro Fish has its good points and bad points, so a compromise board is the Modern Fish, which you can try as I have a demo board of that one too. The Modern Fish is 6′6″ so costs a little more though - just checked only $10.00! See here for the Modern Fish http://boardsandwetties.com.au/surfboards.html

I wouldn’t suggest the Retro Fish being the only board in your quiver. In bigger surf the middle fin of the Modern Fish will give you more stability and allow you to draw out longer lines when turning. You need to change your style a bit to successfully surf a Retro Fish. Shorter quicker turns to build up speed rather than big carving turns are required.

But as you say, the Retro Fish is a helluva lot of fun. Everyone should have one!