rodndtube.com's (OLD) MyPaipoBoards Forums. Reading but no posting on the OLD forums.

[gcs]

I have ridden boogies forever, and love them in shorebreak, steep or hollow conditions - I like a board that is flexible and does not hurt as much when it hits you in the head! (btw my rough definition of a boogie is flexible foam annd principally skegless)

My question is about design and dimensions - the boards I ride now, which are customs, are not a world apart from the mach 7 shapes of 20 years ago. I only ride prone. It is interesting that prone craft made of sponge materials have evolved so relatively little - are they at the optimum size and shape for the materials, or is there just a lack of will or economic incentive to try for more? You seem like an open-minded bunch. Has anyone experimented with longer shapes, different rails, hulls, skegs? Other than Dale's triplanes and some elastomer boards from wahoo I have seen very little experimentation with the boogie, which has beeen refined and made more durable, but has not changed all that much since its inception - anyone come up with a faster or more innovative boogie?
_________________
gcs

[Jon Davey]

Yep, I had a longer and more tapered paipo-shaped body board in the mid 80s. It was a one off design special made by Swell Surf, a local manufacturer here in Cornwall. It had twisted rails which provided a very sharp edge half way down its roughly pear shaped body. This allowed you to have very little of the board's edge touching the face of the wave thus minimizing friction. It absolutely flew compared to boards of the day - generally, I think because of its extra length and susequent lack of knee and thigh drag and its sleeker lines. I'm always surprised at the lack of innovation in bodyboard design - but I suppose an expert will argue with me. I think it may because many riders are now in pursuit of air rather than riding the wave itself. I've still got the board although the blank snapped internally in heavy shore dump. It was made from 2 fused cores to provide th extra length. I'll send in some pics. I think the plan shape may be good for a plywood replica. A project which I'll work on. Jon