Kitesoul Magazine #12 English Edition

140
TECH
Sky Solbach - Waveboard Shapes
AR_Scoop-Rocker-line?
Sky Solbach_I always think of rocker as a multiple
curves. You have the center line rocker, then
you have the rail rocker and you have the rocker
in between. I constantly compare how my bottom
contours (V, Concave, convex etc) are factoring
into my rocker lines on the rail, center and in
between. You must also find the correct balance
between rocker and outline curvature and this
can be a very tedious task when developing a new
design. You can’t just take any rocker and apply it
to a new outline. It just won’t work. You have to
develop the rocker to match the outline and vise
versa. This includes taking into account bottom
shapes. Everything must be working in harmony.
Please see the shots with the examples!
AR_Rails?
Sky Solbach_Generally speaking, rounder rails
are more forgiving and sharper rails engage more
to create grip. This is the reason you see tails of
surfboards with square edges and the noses with
completely round 50/50 rails. Rail thickness and
rail apex also play a big role in a board’s performance.
Thicker rails have more deflection (they
bounce off the water) than thinner rails, which is
great for creating speed in small waves, but you
wouldn’t want it on a big wave board where you
want to control speed. By moving the rail apex up
or down (high rail/low rail) you can also fine tune
how the board will handle. The rails are like the
board’s “feelers” in the water and when I design
a board I try to visualize how the rail shape will
affect performance and I design the rail shape
to fit each model. Please see the shots with the
examples!