I hate to be a downer, but I just don't see design as being nearly as functional as more conventional shapes. I completely understand wanting something that rides both as a shortboard and a longboard, but when trying to use this as a shortboard, there's too much weight way up at the nose to do quick shortboarding maneuvers. And as a longboard, the funky shape of the rail is less functional than a straight rail. And I don't know what to say about that very narrow tail. I've watched a few promo videos for these boards (which you would assume would show the very best rides on these boards), and there is nothing that looks like shortboarding, and the longboarding is just mediocre. I believe a true hybrid between a shortboard and a longboard is usually a board sized between the two lengths (often called a funboard). I think the Meyerhoffer design is more "interesting" than any type of breakthrough, and more likely to impress non-surfers (and tech blogs) than surfers.
@TechSurfer: I gotta agree here. Not downplaying what he's done here, but it does looks this board makes some sacrifices and might be a board more suited for a beginner. It doesn't appear to surf much differently than a regular funboard(I think your comment on funboards is spot on, but even I won't ride one anymore), and even then I feel those still take away from getting a board/fin combo for your size/weight and style. Sometimes an all in one solution isn't the best, and this is one those cases.
I think most surfers are better off with some sort of a quiver. Just buy used, and it won't cost so much. I personally wouldn't give up my dedicated shortboard(5'10" Neptune with Vector fins), or my fish for smaller and weaker days(5'6" Neptune with huge twin keels). If anything I'd rather add a nice long board, or disc like a walden mini magic to the setup.
@CaseyG: Whenever any of my friends suggest an activity that doesn't involve lurking in a bar, I make it a point of asking whether I'll have to go out into the sun and whether there will be overhangs or trees for me to cower under.
@OMG! Ponies!: Myabe gizmodo should consider the readership a bit and suggest indoor summertime activities. summertime websites? high tech air conditioners? i dunno.
Didn't you guys already post this story a few weeks ago? Or was it engadget? Go grab so more coffee and wake up. Don't you dare make this a slow news day!
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Edited by BergenCountyJC can't beat MW2 at 08/31/09 11:14 AM
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It almost makes sense that you would have something like this for surfing. I mean in snow you have skies and snowboards, on ground you have skates and skateboards, towing behind a boat water skis and wakeboard. Riding waves so far just a surfboard.
When the first snowboard came out no one thought it would catch on. This has possibilities only because it resembles paddle surfing but from this picture it looks like the design needs a lot of work. What also looks like a potential fail is your feet are strapped in? if you fall what happens? How do you get back up?
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Maybe I should just stop being witty and just come out with it from now on.
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I think most surfers are better off with some sort of a quiver. Just buy used, and it won't cost so much. I personally wouldn't give up my dedicated shortboard(5'10" Neptune with Vector fins), or my fish for smaller and weaker days(5'6" Neptune with huge twin keels). If anything I'd rather add a nice long board, or disc like a walden mini magic to the setup.
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But me and the Sun - not friends
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[zazzle.com]
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And remember - The fight is not always to the strong nor is the race always to the quick. But that's the way to bet.
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I was gonna say it didn't make the cut for the latest AT&T commercial.
08/26/09
When the first snowboard came out no one thought it would catch on. This has possibilities only because it resembles paddle surfing but from this picture it looks like the design needs a lot of work. What also looks like a potential fail is your feet are strapped in? if you fall what happens? How do you get back up?
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Fascinating! lets watch...
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Besides, I've been nearly dragged to my death from a 20 foot face and stayed out of the ocean for a good year afterwards (I'm a wimp).
It takes an incredible sportsman... or a lunatic to face that kind of a wave.
08/15/09
*waves*