Banana Hammocks - The Kiteboarder Magazine

Wainman Hi
designer’s
corner
Niccolo Porcella charges on the Gambler, an all-new progressive
board shaped by Sean Ordonez. Photo courtesy Wainman Hawaii
The Magnum also features straps inserts that are offset and
pre-positioned. What’s the purpose of this The importance
of the slight offset of the inserts for the surfboard line is that the
correct and natural ergonomic way for the front foot to apply the
proper transition from toe pressure to heel pressure while surfing
is in a slight duck foot stance. Thus, the pre-positioning of the
inserts has been carefully thought out for the rider’s best comfort
while surfing and making smooth rail-to-rail transitions.
New for the surf lineup is the Gambler. How does this board
differ from the Magnum and why would a rider prefer this
board instead The concept of this board was to take a classic
Magnum style board and keep the same volume but reduce the
total length of the board by a few inches, replacing some of the
lost length in the extra width while still maintaining the same tail
outline. This caused the board to have a much tighter turning
radius than the Magnum. This also encourages the rider to take a
slightly wider stance and place more weight on his front foot rather
than just on his back foot such as on the Magnum. As a result of
the outline curve of the Gambler, the board still holds at high speed
even though it is wider. It’s designed for shorter waves with hollow
sections and is best in side, side-on, or onshore conditions. Riders
should try both the Magnum and Gambler to make a decision on
the type of style that works for them best.
If you could choose one standout performance or new
construction feature to highlight for the entire line, what
would it be The new line was first and foremost designed to surf
the waves before the wind picked up and once you add the other
element (wind), these boards will speak for themselves and show
the kiteboarding world what a true surf kiteboard is supposed to
feel like. Just ask the pros. Stop buying copies or imitations and
support the people that are designing the real deal.
You also developed the Passport for WH, which is a wide
board positioned as “the world traveler board” for both kiting
and surfing. With sizes just one inch larger than what is
offered on the Gambler, how is this board different As they
say, the Passports are made to travel the world and surf or kite any
kind of waves from mushy to perfect hollow sections. The main
difference is that the Passport will lift and perform under less than
perfect wave conditions and require less speed and wind to lift and
turn. The Gambler might require a bit more power in the waves and
wind to perform as easily as the Passport. Even after your kiting
session is over when everyone’s kites are falling out of the sky, you
and your Passport are still gliding through flat spots on the wave -
turning your kiting session into an epic windless surf session. The
Passport is versatility.
Why would you recommend a rider go with the Passport
versus the others in the line The Passport is ideal for mushy
weaker surf conditions, but don’t be fooled as this board tends to
excel at speed and hold in the barrel too.
What is the warranty policy on the boards Ask a pro what
sort of warranty he has on his magic performance board. There is
a fine line between bomb proof weight and the perfect flexibility for
performance. Overall, our boards are a perfect balance of weight,
flexibility, and durability. Any lighter and the performance would
be hindered. All boards have a warranty against manufacturing
defects from the factory.
What do you think makes the WH surf program stand out
We are professional craftsmen that have evolved professional
equipment for some of the best in the sport since the beginning.
This surf line is closing the gap between surfing and kitesurfing.
These boards are genuine surfboards designed by surfers for
kitesurfing. Only a kitesurfer will know the feeling.
5’11” Passport
5’10” Gambler
In order to constantly progress their surf line products, WH was looking for a shaper
who could work with their nuclear energy with an open mindedness towards the
modern technologies and shapes that is the lifeblood of the company. Through team rider
Bertrand Fleury, they heard that their good Maui friend Sean Ordonez was enthusiastic
about cooperating with the brand. As Sean had already shaped many sick boards for
Lou in the past, the ideals and philosophies of surfing and kiting they shared resulted
in the birth of the partnership. Sean has experience shaping many thousands of boards
and most importantly, he is still an active kiter, naturally riding Rabbits! Sean answered
our questions to tell us all about the result of their first winter working together which
produced three new surf shapes that are being made at WH’s new factory.
5’7” Magnum
What were the top goals with WH in developing the
company’s new surf line I am stoked to be working with
Wainman Hawaii as Lou has always been a good old crazy friend
of mine. He rips! He loved some of my first custom wakestyle
kiteboards, even though I always wanted him to keep pushing
the surfing side of things. Lou sure led the charge of mixing
wakeboarding maneuvers into kiteboarding --very inspirational
and I am stoked to be working with him again along with the WH
team. There is only one top goal in making a good surf kiteboard:
Make it do everything well, especially in the surf, since this is
what I have been focusing on from the beginning. WH’s new surf
line has a solid background in the scene of pro surfing with some
of my hot young up and coming team riders. Now blending it with
the WH team, you will see and feel what a true surf kiteboard is
supposed to do. I am really stoked to finally get to share with WH
my vision of where I saw kiteboarding going in the surf since the
beginning before it went technical on the tricks.
You have been shaping boards since you were 11 years old
and were one of the first kiteboard companies on the scene
in early 2000. Do you still plan on offering your own kiteboard
designs through SOS No, I am not offering my own production
SOS line, even though I still continue to make specialized custom
shapes for my customers’ particular needs. I love making custom
boards and experimenting with new shapes and technologies, so this
will always help the production board lines stay fresh and ahead of
the changing times. Wainman Hawaii’s new line is a reflection of this
restless and passionate R&D. I am happy to be working together to
help WH promote my designs to get the stoke out there!
We briefly overviewed WH’s surf program in our 2011
preview guide so let’s go a bit more in depth. The Magnum
is a continuation of the previous surf program but the sizes
changed. Did anything else change Well, yes everything! They
are a totally innovative breed of the new generation of surfing as
the Magnums come from a long line of thoroughbred custom pro
model surfboards I have been designing for my surf team. Yes, the
kitesurfer wants to surf just like surfers do. That is why we focused
the line of Magnums on the high performance end of the sport with
a bit of the classic short board lines.
All the new kite surfboards feature five fin boxes for a
thruster or quad setup. Do you lose a bit of performance by
offering this type of setup All boards are equipped with five
Future Fin boxes, designed to be ridden as a thruster in third gear
or as a quad in fourth gear. This option is like having only one board
that you can rally off-road (thruster) or high-speed race like an Indy
car with a quad set up. There is nothing bad about having the option
if you are open minded and get to know your equipment’s potential.
You can even use it as a twin fin like Lou does just for fun and a
different feel. Heck, just ride it finless, right Lou The fins that are
included with the board were also carefully designed to fit the needs
of the boards, but they can be used with other Future Fins if you
feel the need to custom fit it to your needs. The option of mixing and
matching fins will help you understand your equipment better.
When would you recommend riders use each setting I
would recommend the boards to be ridden as a thruster when
conditions are choppy or in onshore hollow or mushy waves. When
the wind picks up and the wind direction changes more side to
side-offshore and the waves get clean and smooth the quad is my
recommendation. Once you try them both, only you will know what
works best for you.
What level rider and kind of waves is the Magnum best
suited for The Magnum is a very user-friendly board for most
riding levels. It is best suited for riders with a good level of
technical surfing skills. These boards come into their own and
stand apart from all the imitation surfboards when they see the
perfect clean hollow waves that they were designed for. You can
ask Bertrand Fleury how they ride at his new home break….ahhh,
I am jealous!
Product Name Category Style Sizes Available
Magnum Surf Classic All-Around Performance 5'7", 5'10", 6'0", 6'2" December 2010
Gambler Surf Progressive 5'7", 5'10" December 2010
Passport Surf All-Around Kite and Surfboard 5'8", 5'11" December 2010
All of the Wainman Hawaii surfboards now feature five fin boxes,
which allow the rider to choose to ride the board as either a
thruster or a quad. Photo courtesy Wainman Hawaii
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