Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Be prepared, always carry a sand wedge.

Today’s lesson is all about club selection.  First question is where are you going to play?   Makenna Beach, Maui, Hawaii, or Aliso Beach with a trough and small waves, or maybe you are hitting the pier at Virginia Beach and the waves are just big enough to carry you?
Different places require different boards,  or if you play golf, different clubs.   

Case #1  Makena, Maui is characterized by a 24” tall, vertical wall, as the wave always hits a trough and creates a horrendous transition from sand to water.  Adaptive evolution is at work here,  the locally made Maui Skimmers are perfect for this wave.  They have huge rocker and pointy noses for minimal drag going over the big curb at Big Beach. 

Case #2  You are engaged in mortal combat at Aliso,  money is at stake, the waves are small, the transitions are brutally short and you are prepared because you brought your sand wedge.  What you have is an Ivan Ashauer special,  something two sizes smaller than you normally ride. The judges will love you, albeit with some understanding of your wisdom,  as you rip, tear and lacerate the little buggers with total abandon.   Good club choice,  perfect distance, your caddy reminds you, as you mount the victory stand.  

Case #3  The Virginia Beach Pier is your venue today,  great running skills are a must,  deep water takeoffs required, super smooth transitions onto the board,  and off the wave are critical.  Here’s where you pull out the Big Bertha, Bubble Burner, Al Haig Warhead for some serious plane time.  Extra low loft, that means rocker, is a must for distance driving,  along with having an oversized board.  This would also apply to an older skimmer going at it anywhere, or a session at 10th St. with it’s dicey sidewash that is barely big enough to support Rob Machado, let alone a 200 lb. wannabe wedge rider.  Wider tails are great for this, whatever shape you choose.

Moral of the story: Fit your stick to the situation.  If you can afford more than one club,  back up your game with a small wave basher,  or a distance driving big board.  Pro rider tip: Ride your big board as practice for a contest,  then switch to the regular size board for your heat.  You will turn effortlessly.  Learned that from Kai Bond, former pro longboarder.    Tex

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