Experimental Board Design
San MiguelSpring 2008 By Scott Storrs
What should the masses use to ride the cosmic waves in their individual quest for enlightenment? I think whatever the hell they want! Like all tribes we sometimes fall into a narrow path together, all of us walking in one direction, but this is sometimes necessary to see the light. This seemed to happen in the nineties where it was only cool to ride a low volume, hyper rockered pringle chip of a surfboard. Thank god we are again on the correct path to enlightenment where anything goes and creativity and expression are admired and encouraged.
It seems as though the surfing tribe is riding anything they want these days and that is, in fact, cool. Anything goes right now, stand ups, 3 fins, 2 fins, 1 fin, 4 fins, fish, long boards, and retro. The latest and greatest magic carpet I have added to my quiver is the 4 fin. Although introduced in the 1980’s, recent refinements in design have added to their capabilities and allowed surfers to travel where no surfer has gone before. For me a new path is a good path, and if the four fin can take me there I am all about it.
The four finned wonder under my feet is a tool to enlightenment. It is like a junkies needle, a cocaine freaks rolled up dollar bill, or an ice head’s pipe, except this board under my feet keeps me sane rather than driving me insane. The board takes me to places I never thought I would go before, and so, should be respected as a tool to achieve zen or zero. For me right now, the clean no drag feel of a four fin is a wonderful change from a draggy three fin. They are arguably faster than a 3 fin and for me speed is enlightenment. I can’t wait to ride one in big hollow barrels this summer in mainland. Go get you some! Have fun, enjoy, and experiment.