June 2009 Issue of The Kiteboarder Magazine

slingshotdesigner’scornerJohn Doyle enhanced the 2009 Misfit to offer a smoother, more controlled ride and increased pop when loaded. | Adam Uyemuradesigner’scornerSneak PeakThe new surfboard from Best has yet to be named but is being developed for highperformance waist-high or bigger wave riding. | Gavin ButlerBestDesigner Profile:Name: John DoyleAge: 52Location: White Salmon WAJob Title: Board DesignerDesigning: 25 yearsKiteboarding: 9 yearsProduct name:MisfitProduct category:Twin TipSizes available: 130,132, 136, & 146 cmRelease date:Available NowMark Doyle, Team Rider:Is this a new design or a next generation onan existing design? Next generation.If this is an extension of an existing design,what were the main goals in developingthe next generation product? The goal wasto improve an already great board that has a fiveyear legacy. With the dedicated cult followingthis board has, certain characteristics neededto be maintained. However it is always a funchallenge to keep the overall feel the same whilealso keeping the materials and overall designcurrent. Having said this we began by smoothingout the flex pattern. The tips flex smoother fromthe tips to the center giving it a more gradualload and pop. Also the thicker, beefier portionof the board is moved outward closer to the railso it has a smoother ride through chop. Thesetwo seemingly small but very important featuresdeliver a freestyle twin tip board that meets theneeds of the advanced rider who wants a longerload and pop feel that is explosive.What was your biggest challenge duringthe prototype phase? It’s always a challenge toachieve the Q&A testing in a concrete fashion. Ialways begin with a few samples that I believewill achieve the proposed performance goals andthen I along with my riders take to the watertestedFor the last 9 years I have been riding my father’s designs (John Doyle).The Misfit originally had rounded tips and was very stiff. Back then kiterswanted a board that cut through chop well and had surf-like turns. Oncewakestyle started developing, riders wanted more bite on the rail for betterload and pop, so the Misfit became more square on the tips and sharper onthe rails. Advancements in construction and materials now give us boards with more flexcreating better rebound when loaded, adding to more pop. Flex also helps to make landingssofter when coming down fast. The 2009 Misfit is a great freestyle board for anyone thatwants to get out there a boost. With its new flex and slight curve, it is a happy mediumbetween an extreme freestyle board and an easy cruising one.to provide good feedback. The challenge with the Misfit was tosimply improve upon a board that already had a great reputation.The upgrade to a higher performance, technologically advancedmaterial was and always will be crucial.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? I wouldsay it has a smoother more controlled ride with explosive energyreturn e.g. pop! This is achieved with the subtle change in flexpattern and the use of Slingshot’s proprietary core called FRT (FutureResponse Technology) used in all of our wakeboards.What are some of the other key product features andperformance characteristics? Future Response Technology. Itprovides even flex that rebounds into insane energy and pop, andmakes the core lightweight and strong. It also has step down sidewall construction that provides unmatched precision rider control.The aggressive parallel rails and the squared tip and tail make thisboard lively with loads of hook up.What style/level of rider will most enjoy this product andin what conditions? The Misfit is for an experienced rider whoappreciates a longer load and pop with great energy return. It’s agreat board for all conditions from flat water to chop.What performance gains do you think the average consumerwill achieve if they get this product? What will stand outis the crisp response feel and overall stability due to the morecontrolled flex and energy. This benefit stems from the top qualitymaterials used in our FRT technology and the design enhancementsimplemented for 2009.What is your warranty policy on this product?www.slingshotsports.com/s.nl/it.I/id.12/.f?sc=42&category=12360What differentiates your product from your competitors? Weat Slingshot stand behind a commitment to always using the highestquality materials and most up to date design techniques withoutsacrifice. The stand out difference for a rider who buys a Slingshotproduct is that they qualify for a lifetime rider service hotlinemembership. What this means is that we are and always will becommitted to going above and beyond the customers expectationswith general help questions, tips, support and even warranties. Ourservice is excellent! Don’t take our word, go ahead and ask someonewho has had firsthand experience.Is this a new design or a next generation on an existingdesign? It’s a new design, very different from the boards we havemade before.If this is a new design, what are the main goals in designingthis product? This board is being developed for high performancewave riding, taking our surf offering beyond the 5’7” Thruster. Withthis board we wanted to provide the same feel underfoot as ahand-shaped board, rather than the lifeless feel of a pop-out. Mostof the boards I’m shaping these days use a blend of polyester foamglassed with epoxy resin. When glassed to withstand the abuse ofkiting any surfboard can get heavy — there’s no way around that forhand shapes if you want a durable board. For the production boardswe switched out to an EPS core. This gives added strength comparedto the polyester core, so we can lay them up with less glass to geta similar blend of strength and feel as my hand-shaped boards,but with less weight. The goal is always to match the feel of thehand-shaped board. The design is low volume with fairly thin railswhich give the boards a more edgy feel with a lot of bite and plentyof drive down the line. The small swallow allows you to blow out thetail if you really push it, but holds off the bottom and allows you topivot off the top really well. The boards aren’t intended to be at theirbest in anything smaller than waist-high waves, and they really startto come alive once you are riding shoulder high.What has been your biggest challenge during the prototypephase? I think it has to be finding the right conditions to test theboards in. I’m happy to travel to find perfect conditions. Aren’t allsurfers? A lot of feedback comes from Bill Kraft in St. Croix and ofcourse Peter our kite designer — he lives for the surf. In terms ofboard characteristics the challenge has been on just making a goodsurfboard that’s light and durable. Kiting demands a lot from a board,it experiences loads and stresses a typical surfboard will never see.Thruster surfboard shapes have more than proven themselves inwaves over time. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, just make itstrong enough to withstand the rigors of kiting.If you could choose one standout performance or newconstruction feature to highlight, what would it be? Theseboards are a big step up due to the EPS core construction. EPS isless dense than a typical polyester core so you get more float forless volume, and can make a smaller board with bigger board floatbut with small board handling. EPS gives you less flex than polyester,and this becomes important once you glass the board up to resistthe rigors of kiting. It’s a fine balancing act,transferring performance from one buildmaterial and process to another.What are some of the other key productfeatures and performance characteristics?Lightweight construction, a proven shape anddesign and reduced overall volume for moreresponse in the pocket.What style/level of rider will most enjoythis product and in what conditions?Anybody who comes from a surf backgroundlooking for something to do on those dayswhen it’s good surf but not perfect due to windare going to fall in love with it straight away.Even if you want a light wind solution that youcan still really rip on when it jacks up, I thinkwe have you covered.What performance gains do you think theaverage consumer will achieve if theyget this product? You need to be an aboveaverage kitesurfer or a great surfer just gettinginto kiting to really feel the benefit of havinga refined surf shape under your feet. Theaverage Joe is going to find it gives them morefeedback and more control but they will haveto step up their game a little if they want toexperience everything the board has to offer.What is your warranty policy on thisproduct? All our products are covered by thesame fair and reasonable timeframe warranty.What differentiates your product fromyour competitors? The only way a rider willfind out if it’s the right board for them is bytrying it. I can list all its unique selling pointsbut in the end it’s about the feel. I’d be lying toyou if I tried to tell you anything else.Designer Profile:Name: Jeff Biege Age: 39Location: Delray Beach, FLJob Title: Co-founder/ R&D/Board ShaperDesigning: 6 years R&DKiteboarding: 10 yearsProduct name:Best SurfboardProduct category:Directional SurfboardSizes available:5.6’ and 5.8’Release date:Summer ‘0986 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 87