The Lis Fish

The dual fin Bolt by Tomo

This looks like a fish to me...

More like a gun here...

This is from Daniel Thomson's blog...
" 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 Sandia Fish from Almond

Sandia Fish from Almond Surfboards on Vimeo.

Ryan Burch - Pink Fish

Ronnie has one all polished up for the Fry

Great looking boards by Ronnie Goddard for the Fish Fry in a couple of days. Balsa and redwood rails with Ferrari red laminate. It looks fast.Great to see the support we have for this years fry with guys like Ronnie building boards especially for the day. Unreal efforrt that is much appreciated.

Jensen Fish gets a test run at Bells

Andrew Roberts built this fish in one of Paul Jensens classes here in Australia and these are some shots he sent to Paul ...
" Well, happy to report a bloody fantastic day, with the pick-up of one fine surfboard and test run in fun 3 foot waves at Bells. Board came up stunning with high gloss finish, waxed up and headed out, just a few other guys in a peaky slightly choppy swell, good for a fish. "

" Got some nice clean waves, Bells is a great down the line the wave, especially in the Bowl section which is surfed at low tide 3 foot up. Easy to paddle and catch waves, had some nice drops, carving bottom turns then maintaining a nice fast line. Sweet! Here's a few pics for the album. Plenty of interest in Torquay in these boards and reckon you would not have too much trouble lining up a workshop down here if keen."
Catch ya soon.
Robbo

Paul Jensens site : hollowsurfboards.com

Matt's Christmas holiday project

Greg Wheeldon is an Architect from Brisbane who did the board building class with Paul Jensen last August. His son Matt was keen to build a board , so with his dads guidance he was kept busy over the Christmas break.
" Matt wanted something different, so we cut the deck and hull boards at 450, inset a woven bamboo panel into the deck nose and tailpiece, and hull nose. On the hull we turned the boards back to parallel, to give the tail and fins more interest."


" We even managed to form a 5mm concave to the hull nose, and a 3mm double concave to the tail under the parallel board section."





" He is keen to show it at the Fish Fry so we will see you there ." Would love to see the board at the Fish Fry Matt, this is exactly what it is all about. A great life experience for anyone to build their own board .


Proud dad with his board he built with Paul Jensen at The Eco Village last year.

PT with maybe one of the first fishes in Australia ?

A young PT at Black Rock 1975 with his fish. Like those flames.

A big thanks to PT for his support , he lives in the States but has been to all 3 Fish Frys down here on the Gold Coast.