Akila Aipa's/Slater Designs' Twin release

[sdsrfr]

Saw the follow up interview with Noel Salad regarding sizing.

mostly skipped through but definitely felt Aipas pain trying to generically size these things for adult learners who complain on the internets. seems Noel didnt do him any favors ordering demo boards like his usual anemic hpsb’s.

 

[griffinsurfboard]

No "Safety Rails" here !

Foiled and precise feeling

 

[dunnc]

@dunnc Nice that you're enjoying the board. I'd have to think you're exactly the kinda international surfer/customer that Akila was hoping to reach with the SD collab.

Akila Aipa Breaks Down Kelly Slater's Twin-Fins And Their New 'Flat Earth' Model

Slater and Aipa just released their new Flat Earth model with Slater Designs, here's Akila's take on the sleek new twinnie.

www.worldsurfleague.com

Not sure if this Q&A was already posted, but a couple interesting answers by Akila IMO. I like the loose skateboard trucks metaphor for a twin.

I'm interested in the fins on the still shot of the Q&A - that a lot of base and looks hand foiled (non production). I am thinking of trying the c-drive twin fins for less push int he surf to get the mix of drive and release - don't know if anyone has tried thee now they are part of Naked Viking Surf?

Looking forward to next purchases, I love the look of the Akila Element 115 fish - I;m hoping this is part of the recent evaluations. If only I could see some live versions and get customs here.

 

[sdsrfr]

Felt one of these up. Don’t see it jamming well with the typical Firewire dads. bladed as fook.

 

[ReForest]

Timmy is making the Aipa look pretty damn good! In that HB mush.

You can see how he wants to push on it like a thruster, but twins aint about that life... twins are for that smooth glide!

http://instagr.am/p/CMign3ihRk8/

 

[oeste858]

Timmy is making the Aipa look pretty damn good! In that HB mush.

You can see how he wants to push on it like a thruster, but twins aint about that life... twins are for that smooth glide!

http://instagr.am/p/CMign3ihRk8/

Although I have not ridden Flat Earth... Akila's twins can be pushed hard, much closer to thruster than any other twins I've ridden. He's got twins refined so they are HP

 

[sdsrfr]

Akila's twins can be pushed hard, much closer to thruster than any other twins I've ridden

It’s because they’re actually tri fins

 

[oeste858]

It’s because they’re actually tri fins

For sure. if he's riding it with the training wheel, should be thought of as HPSB alternative. In those mushy HB waves, he really shouldn't have needed it. I've yet to check one out in person but will get by a shop soon to fondle.

 

[sdsrfr]

For sure. if he's riding it with the training wheel, should be thought of as HPSB alternative. I've yet to check one out in person but will get by a shop soon to fondle.

Crae bladed, it’s a trip. worth chasing one down just to feel it up.

Not terribly surprised they haven’t displaced the machado boar presence at my local.

 

[oeste858]

Question is, would @ReForest actually consider a non-Tomo?? (Gasp!)
Honestly, since you like the FW build, it might be just the HP twin you’ve looking for after 6 or 8 versions of the El Tomo fishies trying to dial in the dims/fins.

 

[ReForest]

Question is, would @ReForest actually consider a non-Tomo?? (Gasp!)
Honestly, since you like the FW build, it might be just the HP twin you’ve looking for after 6 or 8 versions of the El Tomo fishies trying to dial in the dims/fins.

haha. Here is the story with the El Tomo.
1st one was JKB's that i was giving a try. I totally dug it! But realized the fin boxes were wrong.
2nd one. Order custom from Javier. Same dims as JKB's (but with correct fin position). Somehow it came out as a 5'4 (not a 5'5) and felt too small. It bummed me out so I sold it and moved one.
3rd one was a year or two after the 2nd one and it was Dans personal board that i bought with my custom. It felt amazing! Like a shortboard but with more speed and glide. I pretty much fell in love with it at that point. But it also had the wrong fin placement and was a smidge too long.
4th one was the custom i ordered from XTR with the parallel stringer. It actually felt super good, but the nose would catch sometimes and i felt like with a few small adjustment I could probably have an insane keel fin.
Soooo... i order the 5th one... which is the current one. 1/4 increase in nose rocker, and 1/8 decrease in width and it feels pretty darn good.

That's the story.

 

[ReForest]

Question is, would @ReForest actually consider a non-Tomo?? (Gasp!)
Honestly, since you like the FW build, it might be just the HP twin you’ve looking for after 6 or 8 versions of the El Tomo fishies trying to dial in the dims/fins.

But yes... the Akila would probably be one of the few non-Tomo's that i would buy.

Another guy is a local shaper in Oside. His brand is LOST ARK SURFBOARDS.
He's been making some insane looking twin fins. I wonder if anyone on here has ridden his boards?

 

[ehiunno]

Why didn't you just keep the one(s) you liked with the "wrong" fin boxes placement?

 

[griffinsurfboard]

But it also had the wrong fin placement


Whats "Wrong Fin Placement" ?

 

[ehiunno]

Whats "Wrong Fin Placement" ?

This was my point (meant placement)

 

[ReForest]

But it also had the wrong fin placement


Whats "Wrong Fin Placement" ?

Dan said the bottom of the fin box was supposed to be in line with the wing. The bottom fin box was placed below the wing.

 

[npsp]

Dan said the bottom of the fin box was supposed to be in line with the wing. The bottom fin box was placed below the wing.

Was the board working for you up until the point the fin placement was pointed out? Or was it always a dog?
By your earlier post, it appeared you were digging your first board until you discovered that the fins were "off mark".

 

[ReForest]

Was the board working for you up until the point the fin placement was pointed out? Or was it always a dog?
By your earlier post, it appeared you were digging your first board until you discovered that the fins were "off mark".

It worked great. I actually tried buy it back from the guy, but he said it was his favorite board and didnt want to sell.
I just figured it would perform better if the fin placement was were it was supposed to be.

 

[estreet]

I bought a 5'7" FE yesterday with stimulus money. Gotta love socialism.

Could only find small beach break yesterday but the board was fast and super loose. Will be interesting to see what it's like in bigger surf. Think I'll be tempted to pop-in the baby fin if near overhead and juicy.

 

[MrSteve]

haha. Here is the story with the El Tomo.
1st one was JKB's that i was giving a try. I totally dug it! But realized the fin boxes were wrong.
2nd one. Order custom from Javier. Same dims as JKB's (but with correct fin position). Somehow it came out as a 5'4 (not a 5'5) and felt too small. It bummed me out so I sold it and moved one.
3rd one was a year or two after the 2nd one and it was Dans personal board that i bought with my custom. It felt amazing! Like a shortboard but with more speed and glide. I pretty much fell in love with it at that point. But it also had the wrong fin placement and was a smidge too long.
4th one was the custom i ordered from XTR with the parallel stringer. It actually felt super good, but the nose would catch sometimes and i felt like with a few small adjustment I could probably have an insane keel fin.
Soooo... i order the 5th one... which is the current one. 1/4 increase in nose rocker, and 1/8 decrease in width and it feels pretty darn good.

That's the story.

Soooo... is this #6? Anyone else ever peruse the order status? even if nothing on order?