Rockers and Concaves
Rockers and bottom contours are extremely important in surfboard design. after all, its the surface that has the most contact in the water.
Rockers can vary depending on the types of conditions.
I use a variety of rockers for different surfboard models and/or conditions.
I can go deep into each different rocker types, but generally speaking, high rocker helps the board react quicker because it has less wetted surface area. Less wetted surface means they can get on a plan quicker, but also can hit a maximum speed.
Low rockered boards trim well, they are more stable because they have more wetted surface area. This generally means they initially take longer to get on a plan, but hit a faster velocity speed than a highly rockered board.
Contours are equally important as how the water is directed under a surfboard, determines its performance.
There are different bottoms contours ranging from "VEE" , single concave, single to double concaves, rolls to planning hulls. All are designed to enhance waterflow. Concaves are designed to create lift and flatten rockers for faster water flow. Vees and rolls are designed to displace water for rail to rail transition and to make the board more forgiving.
Its important to note that the right contour has to work together with the rocker and surfboard planshape, and that goes the same with the rocker versus planshape outline.
Rockers can vary depending on the types of conditions.
I use a variety of rockers for different surfboard models and/or conditions.
I can go deep into each different rocker types, but generally speaking, high rocker helps the board react quicker because it has less wetted surface area. Less wetted surface means they can get on a plan quicker, but also can hit a maximum speed.
Low rockered boards trim well, they are more stable because they have more wetted surface area. This generally means they initially take longer to get on a plan, but hit a faster velocity speed than a highly rockered board.
Contours are equally important as how the water is directed under a surfboard, determines its performance.
There are different bottoms contours ranging from "VEE" , single concave, single to double concaves, rolls to planning hulls. All are designed to enhance waterflow. Concaves are designed to create lift and flatten rockers for faster water flow. Vees and rolls are designed to displace water for rail to rail transition and to make the board more forgiving.
Its important to note that the right contour has to work together with the rocker and surfboard planshape, and that goes the same with the rocker versus planshape outline.