The evolution from the Fly Race to the Fanatic Falcon 12’6” x 25”. A look at it on land.

I started with the fly race 12’6” x 30.5 in 2011 and thought, what a beautiful board.

Learning how to paddle a race board and finding out what it could do.

Then came the Fly race 12’6” x 27.75” in 2012.

As our level gets higher we can go down a size.

And now the Falcon 12’6” x 25” in 2013.

The boards are so different, so as always I have a look at them on land.

The rocker has been changed a lot, R (27.75” wide) takes the flat section much further back and gives a larger tail kick. This board must be fast, as you will be able to trim it so the tail is just out of the water. W (30.5”) starts a progressive kick further forward encouraging the board to ride back. The Falcon again changes a lot, It still is relatively flat forwards but has a progressive curve throughout. After a short test with the F, trimming is now not necessary, the rocker looks after it.

But take a look at the front!

What a difference, R, wave piercing, W, lift and clear.

Ah that helps to explain the rocker.

But now F is just full, it will give cut and lift.

This angle really shows the difference between them.

W, goes into a flat V very quickly after the front entry, whereas R, keeps a lot more V along the flat rocker section. F now is just round, displacement, fast

Again the tails are quite different, R, being much narrower. This is better for a faster water release but does make the board a lot more unstable. F takes it further and is now round, zero wash. Look back and you only see where your paddle has been.

The falcon is a lot more round, there is no no sharp edge. The water does not know where the end of the board is, it can not leave a footprint.

Well I think it is much easier to go through the shaping while saying what they do on the water.

See you next time.