From the 'iPhone Diaries': A Peek into the Experimental Realm
The claim is that moving the stringer will change the axis of rotation of the surfboard. This is incorrect, as the axis of rotation is determined by the surfboard's area distribution and the position of the rider's feet, not by the stringer position.According to the diagram below the surfboard will rotate around the stringer position, It will not.
Leverage cannot be increased by moving the stringer position ! The idea is laughable.
The premise is ridiculous and shows a complete misunderstanding of surfboard flex and hydrodynamics in general.
Any stringers should be on the perimeter of the board, this is just a weak excuse for a new fashion, fed to the extremely gullible and brainwashed surfing masses.
The idea follows the usual BS industry pattern of brain impaired rubbish with a famous name attached, so as far as the myth making marketing machine ( MMMM ) agenda goes it is perfectly valid. . . . it's just complete BS as a design concept.
Most people are so dumbed down and cowed by the corporations that they don't even attempt to think for themselves on this or any other subject.
actually wouldn't this in effect change the flex charachteristics so to in effect make the board asymetrical in its performance. While I completely agree it has not effect on axis rotation and its a stupid claim from someone who skipped high school physics it seems the idea may have some merit in the the flex and torsion dynamics can be configuired to favor going right or left? Admittedly I missed high school physics quite a bit myself but it seems like it might be an interesting variable to play with
ReplyDeleteI think you have mistaken rotational axis for torsional axis. Try shaping one before you knock it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I guess 17 ft wooden baords are far more technically advanced. You must have done a lot of acid back in the hippie days.
ReplyDeleteHello Waterhound.
ReplyDeleteTheir diagram shows no flex or twist at all, only rotation around the ( supposed ) fore and aft axis of rotation.
The torsional flex theory doesn't really make sense, but if they want to theorise about it they should do moere than showing a spurious, irrelevant and incorrect diagram.
This sort of garbage is very common in the surf industry.
Hello anonymous 1:
ReplyDeleteIn fact it is they who have mistaken the axis of rotation for the torsional axis ( as shown by their diagram ) not me.
If they want to make sense then they should start doing so.
So far it's a fail.
Hello anonymous 2:
ReplyDeleteIn fact my 17 foot boards ( and my short boards ) are certainly more advanced, especially in the flex department.
The surf industry's understanding of flex is mainly marketing based, they actually know very little about it.
Regarding LSD I have never touched the stuff and am a non drinker and non smoker, I don't subscribe to your USA social cliches and never have.
If you want to do industry and icon apologetics then get an education first, as you are way out of your league here !
Thankyou for your comment. .
Hi Roy, a couple of years ago in the snowboarding industry, they tried to stiffen the torsional flex of the boards with strips of carbonfibre layed out as a X over nose and tail. worked a treat. An asymetrical but vertical stringer won't benefit the board at all, IMO (not an expert,thou). Two stringers crossed over the board would have an effect - question is if good or bad.
ReplyDeleteAsymetrical snowboards failed back in the '90ies, so I guess there's nothing new under the sun.
Klaus
Hello Klaus,
ReplyDeleteThe X pattern makes sense. It's a slightly different situation with snowboards isn't it? They don't need buoyancy so can be ow volume, possibly they are more more like tow boards.
By the way I seem to remember some early snowboards from a guy by the name of Milovich with long split swallowtails, I bet those things flexed a lot.
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteYes these boards were made in the heydays of snowboarding though a handful of companies are still producing them as pure powder/big mountain boards. You wouldn't be able to ride them on a groomed track though, since you need an effective edge for grip.
It's a board purely made for the enthusiast, Check:
http://www.thepowdersurfer.com/swallowtails/
Torsional flex is very important in snowboards: Your stance allows to start a turn with your front foot and 'follows' through to your back foot. This allows for more control and 'swing' the board from one turn into another.
i guess boards with no stringer cause a slight problem to that theory. i'm sorry to say but i think that is nonsense. that theory would nearly lead to a no flex or no pivot because no stringer is present and this theory of flex and foam???? foam is not exactly flexible stuff, and yes i make foam and wood and compsand and carbon fiber and so on and so on. ah silly stuff, well if it floats your boat, it's a free world to be gulable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link and for your comments K.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous it is difficult to decipher what you are trying to say.