New Model: The Rover
We have a brand new board model in the racks of the shop. It's called The Rover and it's a small, volume packing groveler—a groveler being a board meant for juicing the most fun out of smaller sized surf. It ranges from 5'0 to 5'6.
And although you may not have seen many from us in the past, the Rover is actually a thruster. Yep, flip over the board and cast your eyes on the tail... you will find three Futures fin boxes.
As we like to say around here... with the right attitude and the right equipment, even two foot waves can be firing; and with the Rover you can now push the boundaries of those waves with a board designed to give you maximum control and rip-ability.
I don’t know about you, but I love riding my grovelers like my mid lengths. And my mid lengths like my grovelers. However, I tend to ride my groveler better like a mid length.
Both classifications of surfboards pack volume and are ideal for generating speed on a wave.
I love the freedom to easily slide one leg forward and all of a sudden be “Cheating 5”. They turn much easier. And if you pack foam into a board like the Rover, it can paddle, glide and generate speed almost as good as a bigger mid-length board.
I recently did a trip to some right hand points and did some serious research and development and came to a few conclusions on the Rover:
- Don’t be afraid of foam, you will paddle better than ever and still be able to turn.
- Pump less, use the wave rather than your body,
- Put yourself in the wave early, sit farther out the back with a smaller board (give the long boarders and SUPers something to talk about)
- Enjoy a good highline as much as a clean top turn or cutback
Sidenote: although not recommended ideal use... due to the conditions in the ocean when we arrived to the spot, I ended up surfing the 5'2 Rover in double overhead waves and it held very well. It maintained speed and was able to turn. It was harder to control but surprising how well the board performed in waves much bigger than intended.
If you want to try or see this new model, come to the next Early and Often Surf Club meet-up or swing by the shop and take a look! And I’m always keen for a surf chat.
-Austin
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