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ClanB · Joined: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura

Well I soaked the nose(bout 10" of board) in cool water for 26ish hrs. I have a large boulder I planned on placing on the deck just behind the wet nose area. I kneeled on the deck area to test the bend and my big a$$ just got it to bend how I want it so I knew the rock wasnt gonna do well. I then placed the nose under a large cabinet and used some flat boards n such to build the hight of the deck while the nose almost stays flat on the ground to maybe a 3" rise. I think maybe 1 more day of drying and Ill sand paint then lacquer a few coats and ride soon, I hope. I have more wood so no biggy if'n I screw it up. I think at some point Ill make a press of some kind and glue 3 layers of 1/8" ply to form a spoon. Untill then I'll enjoy the ride.

Poobah · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:17 pm Post subject:

Nels made one that was flat and flexible. Shorter than usual as I recall. Scroll about half way down this page at
http://mypaipoboards.org/interviews/NelsNorene/NelsN_2010-0316.shtml
and look for Alien Gonzalez.

OG-AZN · Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: Location: Norcal

Cool interview. I like the fact that Nels knows the difference between a handboard - a tool for bodysurfing, and a handplane - a tool for shaping wood. Also that he knows that they don't cost over $100.

Looking forward to the ride report ClanB.

ClanB · Joined: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura

Ok well crap. I got a nice bend at the nose, almost perfect, had the board sitting outside while I was out all day. I got home to show my brother and the nose was now almost flat. the rocker was almost completely gone. Three days it took to get the bend in the nose and its gone now. It is bent just a bit on one side and flat on the other. I guess Im just gonna sand and paint now as i needa board to ride. Ill give it another shot later with the extra wood I have.

ClanB · Joined: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura

The board catches waves ok, not as easy as I expected it to. It planes well but dosn't turn worth a crap. Sad

OG-AZN · Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: Location: Norcal

geoffreylevens · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Posts:

Spudnut · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura, Ca

For a long time, I had a tough time turning the HPD. Once I learned to steer it from the rear ( boy that doesn't sound right Embarassed

) it turns fine. It is nothing like riding a bodyboard.

OG-AZN · Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: Location: Norcal

ClanB · Joined: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura

When I say wont turn I mean for instance, the 1st wave I took off on was a left and it was a late take off, so I had some speed, and when I cut left not doing a bottom turn it would not go down the line. I had white water hitting me , pushing me towards shore and I was digging in the rail as hard as I could but I never went down the line and it wasnt exactly a side slip either. On another wave, a right, I got going down the line but it felt like I had to fight it and when I had to void a surfer I realy had to pull back on the nose and I guess use my hips to turn away from him wich turned out being a stall. The board is alot of work to ride. My guess in 1/2" nose lift and the wide point being too far back and having "corners" instead of a rounded outline. If I had a pic I would post it. Im sure you experts would spot the design flaw right away.

ClanB · Joined: 16 Jul 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura

I dont have a digi cam right now for pics

kage · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 10:02 am Post subject:

Spudnut · Joined: 30 Jan 2011 Posts: Location: Ventura, Ca

OG,

When I ride I use a superman style and I have UDT fins. That said my fins when in the water create a lot of drag so I pull them out of the water as when mat surfing to get a lot of speed. I use my hips on the inside rail to turn as well as hold in. Cutting back requires me to move my body to the other side of the board.

I am going to be in Morro Bay next week for a few days, if it is not too far, pm me.

OG-AZN · Joined: 27 Jul 2009 Posts: Location: Norcal

Thanks for the offers guys. Probably won't be heading south anytime soon, but you guys are always welcome up here in SF. This summer has been one of the worst in memory surf wise though. Looking forward to fall.

Superman style was just what I was thinking about when I said "driving the turn with your hips". Makes sense. A lot of the guys in Hawai'i who still ride HPD type boards do that. When I see the old pics of those guys cranking big bottom turns at Pipe, looks like they're having no trouble riding the HPD more like a bodyboard though. I ride my ply boards both ways. Seems like you have to pay more attention to keeping your inside rail set in the wave face with the HPD's short round shape.

RNT808 · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: Location: Makawao Maui

I think I agree with Spudnut when it comes to riding an HPD.

The trick, at least for me, is to get as much of myself onto the board as possible, positioning my hips on the wide spot at the tail and getting my feet up out of the water. I think the key is having your weight concentrated right around the wide spot. Arching your back and lifting your legs out of the water tends to shift your weight onto your hips and if your hips are in the right position; then shifting your weight from side to side will load up the rail and push it into the wave. Then the corner of the tail works like a skeg and you can drive off of that.

From his description, that’s how I picture Spudnut’s Superman style. That’s also the way I ride my HPD and it seems to work. From my experiences I would say that the HPD is a board that requires a little extra effort to make it work; but on the right day and the right wave it can be pretty nimble and a whole lot of fun.