Bob the Bobsled's Performance

The Mex recently received a request from Giles in England for a bit more information on the performance of Bob the 7' McTavish Bobsled.  Giles wrote:

Hello Mex – just read your blog and especially the bit about “Bob” the sled…………….I am 50 next year and keen though average surfer………..still do the odd trip, however I feel the need to get myself a new board and have been considering a sled for some time – I have in mind a 6’8” – I am a 75kg runt.

Just wondered if you had anymore comments about the boards than are on the blog – be glad to have your views.

Pip, pip from an autumnal England

Gilo

 

 

The Mex has asked that we share his response for the benefit of mankind and all the Oldfartsurfers who have been itching to know the answer to the ultimate question:

Hey Giles,

Nice to hear from sunny England.

I got the inspiration to check out McTavish boards after reading his book. I figured he’d been around for a couple more years than me and would know what an oldfart would like to ride. I was originally thinking of getting the Carver but sent them an email for advice. I was 53 and 83kg and was finding my 6’6” Webber Afterburner a bit difficult to catch waves on but it really went if I could only get to my feet. Basically I wanted the difficult combination of catchability and manoeuvrability. The McTavish guys suggested the 7’ or 7’1” Bobsled.

(The inspiration for Bob was the 6'6" twin fin Mex had made in 1978)

I’m pretty pleased with Bob’s performance. He catches waves like a board a foot longer. I think this is a combination of the volume for floatation and the concave under the nose. The manoeuvrability seems to come from the double flyers and swallow tail combined with a nice kick in the tail. I’d never surfed a quad before I think the quad fin set up also gives it a nice loose feel.

I find Bob has heaps of speed which seems to come from the concaves and width and ability to stay high in the wave. There is about a 3” wide bevel under the rail, which, when combined with the quad fins allows me to hang really high in the wave and tap into the potential energy in the steep part of the wave. The fins hold the tail high and the bevel allows the rest of the board to slide down a little so that it doesn’t catch a rail and flip up over the top.

(Bob's nose channel and bevels)

Bob is very forgiving when I don’t place my feet perfectly in the right spot on takeoff and the size and volume allow me an extra second to do a quick shuffle to get them into position.

(Bob's rear end, another gratuitous fin shot)

The obvious downside compared to a smaller board is the ability to duck dive, however, it can be done – just make sure you put your hands a bit further forward to get the nose down and put your toes on the tail and drive it under. I spent a week in Margaret River on a hired 6’10” very thin gun in June and really noticed how much easier it was to duck dive.

A work colleague has just bought an 8’ Bobsled, it arrived during the week, and he can’t wait to get it in the water. He’s kicked the missus out of bed and is sleeping with it until it is christened. It will be interesting to see how manoeuvrable the longer board is.

The Dude has a 6’6” Firewire Dominator which he loves. He reckons it also has catchability and manoeuvrability.   Unfortunately the glass delaminated recently so The Dude now calls it the Delaminator.

I reckon 6’ 8” Bobsled would probably be ideal for you if you weigh 75Kg. 

Hope this helps, I might put these words on the blog for others to read.

Cheers,

Mex

PS: Bob’s all ready with his fins removed and packed in bubble wrap to fly to Port Macquarie in the morning for a week’s R and R.

Click here for a previous related article.

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Spot Applies the Principle of Specificity to Surfing Fitness

Last weekend Mastersurfitness Guru and Oldfartsurfer No. 6, Spot, and Oldfartsurfer No. 4, the Mexican, made a sojourn back to, Byron Bay, the birthplace of Bob the Bobsled. 

(Bob the Bobsled the day he was born in the McTavish factory, 25th June 2010)

Spot & Mex were aiming to get down there for the traditional Eggs Benedict breakfast at their favourite seaside restaurant with none other than Oldfartsurfer No. 31, Les, and Oldfartsurfer No. 3, Yummy Granny.  Unfortunately, our intrepid epicureans missed breaky by about 5 minutes and had to settle for lunch.  "The restaurant obviously hadn't heard of the concept of the all day breakfast"  said Yummy.  However, the oldfartsurfers managed to scoff down two seafood platters in good time for Les to have a grandfather nap before driving home.

(Oldfartsurfers 31, 4 & 3 - Les, Yummy Granny and Mex wearing their team OFSC bucket hats and Yummy leading the team with her original series No. 3 OFSC tee shirt)

After lunch, Spot and Mex had a dag at the Wreck before Spot had to watch the Cats pounce on some poor insignificant team.  Meanwhile, The Mex wandered up to The Pass which was 1'-2' and crowded with missile mals and kooks.  "It looked pretty hairy out their" said Mex, "but I'd made the effort to walk around there so thought I'd give it a crack".  "Quite surprisingly I managed to snag a few zippy ones through the middle section that made Bob feel at home" said Mex,  "Bob had a bit of a battle with a mal missile that insisted on dropping in, but discretion was the better part of valour and bob came away unscathed".  Mex's sage advice for oldfartsurfers wishing to stay stoked is "its better to leave the 6'4" boofhead on the mal alone and live to surf another day".

 

(The Pass at Byron Bay)

After nearly wiping out half the surf school who were floundering on the inside, Mex wandered back and gathered Spot for a late surf before dinner.  The surf weary Oldfartsurfers couldn't quite finish their falafel smorgasbord served by some friendly hippie chicks but managed to wash it down with some BYO brews.  They then managed to watch the Wallabies smashing the Springboks till half time in the local pub before calling it a night.

(Mex cruises past The Wreck, Byron Bay)

The next morning Spot and Mex had a glassy session just north of The Wreck.  Spot got spooked and asked the Mex "are those fins dolphins".  "Yeah sure" said Mex hopefully.

In honour of the great Canadian Oldfartsurfer No. 5, Moose, The boys had a Canadian breakfast with bacon and maple syrup.

(Oldfartsurfer No. 5, Canadian sensation Moose in the Old Farts Surf Cafe)

Over breakfast Spot complained of tired muscles from paddling.  Intrigued, Mex asked Spot the Surfitness Guru what the best exercise for paddling surfitness was.  "Well there isn't much you can do in the gym to emulate paddling"  said Spot professorially,  "I would therefore apply the Principle of Specificity, which basically means surfing is the best way of getting fit for surfing".  "What a great idea" said Mex, "that way you can have fun surfing while you get fit so you can have fun surfing, that's pure genius Spot".

(Mastersurfitnes Guru and Oldfartsurfer No. 6, Spot, practising the Principle of Specificity)

Concerned for the health of Oldfartsurfers around the world reading his advice, Spot went on to caution about risks to people with cardio vascular, cardio respiratory or metabolic conditions.  "Any oldfartsurfer over the age of 45 is automatically classified as moderate risk" said Spot.  "This risk is upgraded to high if the olfartsurfer has one of these conditions or if they have two or more of the risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of heart disease or stroke".  "Geez, Better  better take it easy then" said Mex.