First, imagine the width of that tail... The tail of the Laird Puma Board.

Second, imagine trying to turn such a beast, with such a wide tail. Trying to release each rail as you turn on a wave....

Or at least try and imagine how the Laird Puma Board (or is it The Volvo Board??) would go sliding down the line at The Alley, Currumbin. With a really wide tail!

Note - it's not really designed as a BOP board. Just throwing it out there, for thoughts.... Obviously, bottom contours are very important too.

Be fun to try, though I think it's 14 foot, so too long for BoP races. There was a 13' prototype, but haven't heard about a 12'6".

Plus it costs $6,500 (or $8,500 in Europe...). And for all that money and advanced construction, it's apparently still heavier than most 2012 race boards (around 16-17kg).

Either way, full credit for being innovative. And it does look pretty quick in this video...

chrisparker said...

Did they make that board especially for the dancing octopus?

Is that what all those guys are laughing at?

PeterP said...

The Puma board was here - and pivot turning it was probably it's best asset. The rounded off rails lets it swing with ease.

Agree, it probably does a nice pivot turn. But imagine trying to use the rail to slide along a wave... (There is no rail! - but the fin set-up might compensate a little bit, maybe).

Looks like it might go better upside-down..

DJ