The empirical evidence used to create these hyptotheses are unfortunately subject to paradigmatic variables that prevent conclusive, incontravertibly accurate analysis of the original question posed. Just an opinion
and by all means open to endless,pointless speculation because of the above said variables. As interesting as this thread is, it is at best an informed discussion and only vaguely scientific in content. Joe or Joanna Blow would be far better off demoing as many boards as they can. demoing is still the most reliable way of choosing a board to suit ones particular 'variables'.
Yeah sorry Husq, thought after I let off some steam that that may have been what you were getting at....
And Lacey all is forgiven mate.
I guess the 'reaction' came about because we went to so much effort to make the whole thing as un biased and transparent and fair as we possibly could, how on earth can you find paddlers who don't at least have a favourite brand.
Oh and by the way, Starboard is the best....OK?
Not wanting to fire it back up or anything....but I can't help commenting that for those complaining that the thread has "dw" in the heading should note that the person starting the thread was not associated with the original 12'6" test or the forthcoming 14' test....he was simply asking a question about it.
I'm sure PT Woody will ensure when the results of the 14' test (if it happens) are published that they say, "flat water" or something similar.
Our South Efrikan colleagues have obviously been trying to come up with downwinding comparisons, but I'm sure everyone agrees (perhaps that is just waaay too much to ask on the 'Breeze) that there are too many variables to do more than measure elapsed times on particular days and then come up with a "feel" for how different boards perform. At the end of the day, I don't suppose that anything will replace demo'ing any boards you may feel are suitable for you - where demo models are available that is.
But I say, good on those who in the spirit of fun have a go at these comparisons in the best way they can.
I recall as a 7 year old, on Xmas day, sitting outside my house comparing the the BMX bike I got off Santa with the neighbourhood kids. There was half a dozen of us and we all thought we had the best bike. Words to the affect:
"So I reckon mine is the best cause it's got handle bar brakes".
"No way Johnny, back pedal bakes are heaps better".
"Anyway mine has a bell, listen ring ring"
Bobby says "Mine's got plastic toughs which are unreal and heaps better then those crappy spokes on yours".
The local greek boy George steps in and says "My bike is faster then all of yous-cause it's a red one".
"Ok George, lets have a race from the Jones's house to the milkbar and back"
Little did George know that dragsters are the slowest bikes on the planet.
The 12'6 board test was very transparent in my opinion. If you read the report, top to bottom, there's isn't much to moan about.
My only comment for the 14 test is to consider "no turn" during the timed run. Or at least make sure all riders practice 2 turns, before each timed run (if the timed run involves a turn). This would help reduce the possibility of a bad turn (on a foreign board) effecting the times.
Would like to see it from other angles including the rocker line and nose and hull. And of course, the proof is always in the paddling.
so pt woody, can we have some info.
which boards are being tested, its a big call if they all aren't being tested.
jp, jimmy lewis etc? dc's come in two sizes in 14' now and thats it.enough of them around.lahui kai 14 is a standard size so they aren't customs
and who is sponsoring the test if any?
who is supplying the boards?
cheers
My brain is hurting from reading all these posts, also if someone was able to do
this test successfully, by the time they completed the tests and released the results
I'm sure every model of board that was tested will of had a new model done , all claiming to be faster then the older one. this would be a never ending test.
ouch! my brain is hurting again.
Thanks for doing the 12'6 test Woody and Co it was a great experiment well documented and executed as well as very thought provoking.
Phill
,.
And Woody, guernsey expected for 14' test
,
I'm already dark on ya for leaving me out of the 12'6 shootout
,.
,. i'm asking for some information on the 14' test setup..
Grab a copy of the latest ASL mag.
It has a board test, the way these work is that surfboard companies pay a certain amount of money and supply the board at their expense which is returned. They get the surfers to ride them and give reviews.
The costs pay for the logistics and production costs, writer, photogs, video etc. You get a full page ad also. Aaaaah, ask Flounder, he's done more of these things than anyone.
The flaw in this is that as paying contributors the mag can not actually say which board was a dog etc.
BUT, in this case if it was simply to review a seasons boards of a certain class with scientific unbiased results there would be no reason not to publish the results.
Car mags do this, nearly all products do.
Supworld, Casso?? Surely there's a way to make a buck out of this and provide info that people obviously want to read.
P.S, PT and Co as much as I like your 12'6 test when it is performed by a retailer and some team riders it will always face criticism. It is just a test of certain products by certain people but maybe it is better termed 'the fastest 12'6 sold by RPS or whoever it was'
Crikey
, must be still raining in the Sunshine State,
Lacey not sure what boards are available for the 14 test but reckon they will vary from what may be more commonly used in Qld and other areas of Aus as the retailers seem to have different product in certain areas,
again its the boards available here and take whatever interest out of that you like,
and CMC the boards in the test are available at other shops so not sure why you have to say just Rps and there's a brand or two their they dont stock.
You can reasonably expect that the 14 test will happen much like the 12'6 test did - with as broad a selection of boards, riders' personal boards as well as shop demos - and paddlers as can be mustered locally on relatively short notice. Because of variability in our local weather and water conditions it's difficult to plan much in advance, unfortunately we don't have a Currumbin Creek to play in. Properly flat days are very rare here and when one comes it's "righto what have we got? who have we got? Let's go NOW...". You'll recall from the 12'6 test report that two of the planned test riders were unavailable on short notice on the day. With a bit of luck the pool of test pilots will be a bit bigger next time.
As has been said before, down here we are a bit limited in the range of boards that are readily available (but the range is growing) - don't have access to the whole universe of production boards let alone all the customs. Maybe you blokes up on the goldie that have access to some of the ones that the Viccos don't could replicate the testing up there and add something to the knowledge base?
And sponsorship/industry support of the type CMC describes? Hardly. The whole sport just isn't that big here yet. "Team Riders" is stretching things a bit too, one or two of the previous test group could be called that, at a long chalk, maybe. Brand conspiracy? You give us too much credit, we don't have the time or the brain space to be that clever or conniving.
And now my dinner's ready. Man that lamb smells good
, must be still raining in the Sunshine State, , a lot of us are keen to hear the results.
,. i'm asking for some information on the 14' test setup.. 
