It rained all day and the temperature didn't get above 7 deg C but that didn't stop the Old Farts Surf Co. on their mission to complete the initial sea trials of the prototype of The Mexican, a 6'8" hollow timber rounded pin tail. The key ingredient was there in the form of some fat 3' waves and no wind, much better conditions than the sea trials of the Dude Board several months ago. The test team arrived as the tide rose in the early afternoon. The Mexican attached a brand new leg rope and slowly stretched as The Dude and the Other Dude paddled out. The Young Dude couldn't be seen and made no excuses. The Mex paddled out and the board felt buoyant under his chest. He let the boys take a couple then a nice fat 3' wave came towards him. He paddled into it easily, the board immediately proved it paddled as designed. The Mexicans slid into the wave as one and the stable 21" width gave the Mex plenty of time to stand up and glide across the face, executing a small barely perceptible cut back then oscillated across the face before a nice little floater at the end. Perfect. Not only could it catch waves but it could turn.
Expert water craft designer, Macho. observed the ride from down that beach and paddled out saying "that looked pretty good", putting smile on Mex's dial. The Dude was informed and he smiled too, knowing four weeks of hard labour were all worthwhile.
Plenty more waves were caught in the 1 & 1/2 hour session. Macho took off behind the Mex to observe the flow. Lots of engineering discussion was held. Of the board's performance the Mexican commented "it exceeded my expectations. I thought it might be a bit stiff or sluggish but it took off like a cut cat. The take offs were easy with the extra floatation and it seemed to have a nice little bit of side slip on an angled take off to allow me to slowly get to my feet and get going. It obviously isn't as nippy as my 6'6" Afterburner but it is so much easier to get into the waves. the long lines will really suit long walled waves and I can't wait to have a crack at 8' Boneyards".
Macho's Missus arrived in the car park as the boys were getting changed and was impressed - with the board that is, but questioned the need to put an Old Farts Surf Co. Logo on the beast. Not to worry, we went back to Macho's for coffee and lumberjack cake to plan the next big adventure for the old farts - perhaps Portugal, perhaps Flinders Island, perhaps Cornelian Bay.
To order your Old Farts Surf Co. hand made Hollow Timber Surf Board click on the following photo:
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