RoyStuart.biz: Asymmetrical #gunproject

Asymmetry brings a whole new human feel to surfboards. We are naturally asymmetric. The old masters realised this and called it contrapposto. The human was not natural if he was symmetrically portrayed. So why are most surfboards symmetrical like rigid, Victorian Classical structures? A post modernist would discard convention and take a walk on the wild side.

Diverging from conventional assymetrical surfboard design

"How does it differ from convention? The toeside rail has less curve than the heel, unless I'm looking at it from the hull?" Matt U.K

#gunproject

Really both sides have the same amount of curve overall ( determined by the width and length) it's a matter of where it's placed.

You are looking at the deck, the toeside rail has the wide point further back with a more parallel zone through the middle of the board and a 'hip' further aft. The heelside rail has more curve (and a hip) around the wide point, which is further forward.

Assymetry recognises a human quality

The theory used by Donald Brink is very well explained in this video https://youtu.be/2PX2Sb8mNn0 As he explains when applying pressure with the heels it is difficult to bring the pressure off again, as there is no foot behind the heel to push off. This makes it important to have the heel side more forgiving.

Designing for a forward 45degree stance.

The situation with my longboards is different. Because of the width, the stance is partly across the board rather than basically sideways as it is with shortboards (Donald's method is based on the shortboard stance). Because the feet are placed with one near each rail, roll control is no issue at all.

When applying pressure to the heelside rail, it's easy to bring it back the other way towards the toeside rail because there's a foot near that rail already. The issue is that one foot is further forward than the other... the heelside rail foot is further forward.

Because of this the weight is always applied further forward when sinking the heelside rail. The planshape is adjusted accordingly by moving the wide point forward on that side, and making more curve through the wide point to promote forgiveness on that side.

A surfboard designed for a goofyfooter

Other shaping considerations for assymetry

"Is the hull asymmetrical as well as the planshape?" Matt

The bottom contour won't be adjusted, but the rail will be a tad softer on the heelside as Donald recommends.

New #3dprinted fin design

I'm also working on asymmetrical single fins ( I mean fins not single finned boards) for increased efficiency for lefts or rights ( not a stance based option, a left vs right wave option).

Asymmetry in outline: The wide point is further forward on the front foot heelside, (The Right hand side facing forward).
In this picture the nose is upwards.