How would you size for the two or three days a year this comes together in the NorthEast factoring in a 5mm wetsuit, major drift heavy offshore wind and crazy takeoff? Glass schedule to survive the beatings?
http://instagr.am/p/BixbxL_FhDK/
I've never surfed the East Coast but what I see online seems shorter interval, quick and hollow. I would think shorter and more rockered than what goes in California? But you've been there your whole life and shape boards. You don't have an idea?
ps that is an insane barrel you linked...the water is not brown. Florida?
That's Jersey.
Gleason was riding a lot of fuller, wide point forward boards he designed with Bennet for waves just like this under the Chem Zen line. Here's all of them.
They have a twinnie, channel version of it now too (which the front half of the model photos look a little more pedestrian, and the tail looks really pulled in for business time. But there are definitely some guys putting their twin pin boards in serious positions, a la Troy Eckert's beauty in Mexico on an album twin).
The Chem Zen is a perfect mix between old and new design that can be ridden in a variety of waves. Developed NJ legend Mike Gleason, this board is built for speed and control in the pocket of hollow waves.
The board's wide point is moved forward and its has a full foil through the midpoint to the nose. This helps the board paddle easy as well as enhances its planing ability in flat sections and in the pocket. It also has a narrow round pin tail that increases its maneuverability and keeps the board locked in the pocket when the waves are hollow. Works well as a thruster or quad so the 5 fin set up is the best choice. The Chem Zen has worked really well as a quad and with a 6 channel bottom.
The Chem Zenagain was spawned by the desire to take our Chem Zen model and give it a more shortboard feel outside of the tube.
We left all the forward volume our original Chem Zen had in this model. With the Chem Zenagain we removed the retro beak, added more nose and tail rocker while widening the tail block. This allows the board to fit in the curve of the wave easier and keeps the tail loose. You can choose the Chem Zenagain with or without 4 channels. The 4 channels give the board a bit more bite on the wave, but not too much where you won’t be able to turn it. The Chem Zenagain is a modern version of a proven design that has been a staple in our line up since 2010.
The third installment to our Chem Zen line.
The Zen board line has been a favorite of our customers looking for a forward volume board to get in early on heavy, hollow surf. The Zen3 was built off of the need to get into waves easily and to go as fast as possible down the line. This characteristic alone not only makes this ultra versatile model work well in hollow surf but below average surf as well. The Zen3 has a relaxed entry rocker which makes this board paddle well in all conditions. It's wider thumb tail allows for maximum maneuverability, while the four channel bottom gives the board a bit more hold and aids in even more speed generation. Testing this model has been really fun due to its ability to perform in just about everything. From getting deep head high tubes to launching airs in waist high waves, it made choosing a board easy when heading out for a surf. We can finally claim with full confidence that this is the fastest model we have ever created.
Constantly mixing it up to keep it fun, the Zen 4 is one of our favorite models in the Zen line.
The evolution of our "Zen" line continues in 2021 with the release of the new Zen 4. The Zen 4 has a step up feel with added paddle power from it's forward volume. Meant to be ridden as a twin, the Zen 4 holds a line in tubes with the help from its 4 channel bottom. The double wing pin tail gives this model stability in heavier, hollow waves. The Zen 4 carves well on the face and doesn't have that "wash out" feel at the end of turns. The Zen 4 has a relaxed rocker which makes it a great paddler in all conditions. Designed to be ridden in better waves, the Zen 4 also excels in below average surf.
Also, Jason's handshapes page has some absolute steals on it right now.
The 8'8" for under 1k is nuts.
The R2+ fits this thread really well too $700 of instant gratification.
