Duotone Magazin No.01 2019

Like a chef using many distinct ingredients to create a signature dish, Duotone’s directional board shaper Sky Solbach combines many aspects of surfboard design to create a delicious range of surfboards to suit various conditions and riding styles. As Sky says: ‘All the parts work together to create a good board’. Nevertheless, we asked him to explain what different effects certain aspects of a board’s shape have on the final characteristics of a surfboard. A comparison of the modern compact shape of the ProWhipCSCandtheclassicshapeof theProSession. OUTLINE The outline creates your rail line and determines how you engage in the turn and what radius the board will take. TAIL The tail shape is inherently connected to the outline. Different tail shapes allow you to carry the outline in different ways to the back of the board. ROCKER LINE If you had to isolate one feature of a board which has the most effect on the performance it would be the rocker line. The rocker determines how fast the board will be, how it turns, how it handles and how it feels in the water. You have to adapt your rocker line to your outline – you can’t put a Whip rocker on a Session outline. PRO WHIP CSC PRO SESSION “ I spend a lot of time looking at curves, focusing first and foremost on the functionality of each board while also trying to make them look aesthetically pleasing.” SHORTER RAIL LINE + + Less stability at speed + + Snappy + + Tighter turns SQUASH TAIL + + Effective way to bring lots of width to the tail + + More lift in the tail due to increased surface area + + Good speed generation + + Good light wind performance LEAN ROCKER LINE + + Faster because water doesn’t have to wrap so much over the curve + + Better for flatter faced waves + + Good light wind ability + + Early planing LONGER RAIL LINE + + More drive + + Longer, drawn out carves + + More grip ROUNDED PIN + + Tail sits low and deep offering good grip + + Creates a long lean outline curve for predictable handling + + Good drive CURVY ROCKER LINE + + Less low end planing ability + + More sensitive to foot pressure / placement + + More dynamic carving + + Good for powerful, steep waves S H A P E S Copy: Sky Solbach Photo: Toby Bromwich T R U E 53 T R U E 52 S U R F B O A R D S