Simmons for SUP surfing?

[raf]

I was thinking about board shapes today (its all I think about lately ), and decided that having rails come in towards the tail might not make a lot of sense, that parallel rails might be better and that tail rocker probably plays more of a role in turning than radius.  So I'm searching about this and other stuff (fin shapes), and I discover these Simmons boards. 

I guess Simmons wasn't a big fan of tail rocker, but the parallel rails and wide tail seem like just the ticket to me.  If any of you guys are familiar with these boards, I'd love to hear what you think.

Another advantage of a wide tail for a SUP is that when you step back to pivot turn, the board remains very stable.  Stepping back to pivot turn for a wave on a pintail often ends in embarrssment. 

[starman]

Here is the board I had made by Joe Bauguess the inventor of the Mini-Simmons last August. It's 11-6 x 28 , no carbon and about 28lbs. I had the board build with downwinders at Hood River in mind but that's not happening until July or August of this year. I wanted something that would fit between the swells and plane quickly and stay on a plane on those fickle river swells. So until then I've been playing with it in the surf when it's 1-3ft. Turns out it is a really fun board to surf, very stable, quick to catch waves and speedy. It took me some time but I finally figured out that this board likes to be ridden from the tail. It is not a nose rider. but since there is almost no tail rocker it shouldn't be. Once planning I have to treat it like a 6ft board when it comes to trim on a wave. So kind of a surprise as I wasn't looking for a toy for small surf but I now have one. I could have gone 27 or even 26 1/2 wide as the shape is very stable for standup and seems to float in the white water. Just know that putting too much tail rocker in this design 'kills" the magic. I'm thinking of getting one built in the 8 to 8-6 range just for surfing but that is after I win the lotto to finance this habit of a sport.

[starman]

Here is a good link for Simmons designs:

http://hydrodynamica.com/totem/

[southwesterly]

Kirk Mcginty (L41) has been doing these for sometime now.
Really cool looking boards and I've seen them flying around the lower east side of Santa Cruz.

http://www.original-simsup.com/

[surfcowboy]

Dig this one from my buddy Todd here in LA at Eco Boardworks.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=297370673626420&set=a.154574377906051.36985.100000604706765&type=3&theater

He swears it rides like magic. 31" wide, I gotta go demo it.

Edit: I also am fascinated by the SimSup, wish we could get one down here in SoCal to demo.

[SoCalSupper]

Infinity has been making the shortboard versions for a while- really loose and fast!
For a SUP though probably not a good idea because the tail is so flat that any hard turn will make the board slide out of control.




http://www.infinitysurf.com/shortboards/tombstone/

[andygere]

I've been riding one of Kirk's Simsups for the last 3 surf sessions in some pretty good waves.  These boards work!  Fast, loose and stable. 8' x 30 1/4" x 4 1/2".  I'm 5-8, 175 and this board floats me.  Get the 411 at http://www.original-simsup.com/



Here's some GoPro footage of me surfing Simsup II today:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150615812659687

[raf]

Thanks for all the responses.  Tons of info in here.  I'm gonna make one!

One question on aspect ratio.  Why would Simmons recognize the advantage of high aspect ratios but stick with those short, stubby fins.  In fact, why aren't all fins straight, long and narrow (ie. high aspect ratios)

Kirk's boards look awesome btw.

[georgia]

I've been wondering about these simsups from L41 for awhile. Any opinions on how these would go on small short period weak Florida surf for a 175 pounder? Thanks

[andygere]

Georgia, I can say this: it's an amazing wave catcher for such a short board, and it's fun to surf on small waves as well as large.   In the three sessions I've surfed it, the waves have been good, and even the small stuff has been relatively speedy with good push.  Because of that, it's hard for me to say how it will perform in weak surf, but my sense it that it will work pretty well.  At 175# this board will float you just fine.  For Florida surf, you might want to blow it up a bit larger?  I'd defer to Kirk on what that will do to the performance characteristics of this board.

[georgia]

Thanks for the review, you think there would be any problems coming down from a 10'3" x 28.5" Lopez?(the ones wardog used to sell a few years back, think it was similar to the Ron house boards)... I figured the extra width might compensate for the 2 foot chopped off the nose...

[southwesterly]

Thanks for the review, you think there would be any problems coming down from a 10'3" x 28.5" Lopez?

It's funny when people ask that. It is actually easier on a smaller wider board.
No matter what the length, you always have to pay attention at 28 inches wide.
A few inches wider, and all of a sudden you notice how nice the scenery looks.

[surfcowboy]

I have to pitch in with Southwesterly. The wide, short boards are no harder than the thinner longer boards. However, going from longer to shorter in the same width can take a few sessions to dial in.

The fun thing is having your board fit into the pocket on smaller waves. It's a whole new feeling and a blast.

[georgia]

Thanks for the replies, I think I've found my next board!

[SUP Sports ®]

Thanks for the review, you think there would be any problems coming down from a 10'3" x 28.5" Lopez?(the ones wardog used to sell a few years back, think it was similar to the Ron house boards)... I figured the extra width might compensate for the 2 foot chopped off the nose...

Aloha Jody,
Wow...that brings back memories...you're still riding that GL?
Do you still have you're original SOS Big Blue?
You were definitely one of the Georgia pioneers...cool to hear that you're still going for it...with current board designs adding width, you can definitely get down in the 8' range...I'm 200# and my 8'6" Jammer is comfortable...