2 Responses to “Questions to Rusty: If You Didn’t Shape, What Would You Be Doing?”

• Bolton Colburn October 7, 2009

  McCoy, through Cheyne, brought on a reduced nose width, which increased maneuverability quite a bit. Cheyne brought those boards to the pro circuit and in the season that they came out, would run down to the water with the board covered in the bag so no one could see it. Anyway, while good for turning, especially quickly, the board lost drive. I grabed a proto-type that was sent to G&S for testing, Cheyne was part of the Bronzed Auzzies and had an arrangement with G&S in California, and it was one of the best boards I've ever riden. It was really great at Blacks. Anyway, the way I see it, its like a conversation. McCoy (with his knowledge of racing boat design) says, Ok, here is a board that will turn and peform like crazy. The rest of the surfing world stood back and said, ok, but it has no drive. Simon had some kind of intuitive sense that that could be overcome with a three fin configuration and bang, we have the basic modern tri-fin. Of cousre there are all sorts of antecedents, including some pretty novel and well working no-noses and fin configurations, but nothing quite worked this well and the moment, with the rise of interest in competitive surfing, was perfect.

• Karl Eberhardt October 18, 2009

  Hey Bolton...did I miss something?