The Riki Pro 6'8" was hand delivered to me personally by Rey back in may of 07'. Since then it was force fed to the open water's of ocean beach. The board handled the power of the beast that is O.B. (a few scar's and grazes tell a slightly different story for me however).
Dims:6'2"x21_5/8"x2_11/16"
Core: Biofoam
Glassing: Resin Research Epoxy, Bottom Bamboo, Deck Bamboo w/ Bamboo deck patch
We wanted to evaluate the bamboo glassing kit made by Greenlight Surf Supply, an eco-friendly surfboard supply company. The kit came with a DVD that went into great detail regarding how to glass using their bamboo cloth, which is similar to t-shirt material. The process is pretty involved and time consuming, with many additional steps when compared to glassing by traditional fiberglass methods. The boards come out slightly on the heavy side, as the cloth really likes to soak up resin. Interestingly, the cloth is streched taught over the boards, which supposedly create tension in the laminate. The boards seem pretty tough. Kudos to Greenlight for providing a "green" alternative to normal fiberglass.
Dims:6'1"x21_7/8"x2_3/4"
Core: Austin Foam EPS
Glassing: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, Bottom 6 oz., Deck 6+4 oz
This one was glassed in a new resin formulation we're testing.
Dims: 6'1"x21_7/8"x2_3/4"
Core: Austin Foam EPS
Glassing Schedule: Resin Research Epoxy, Bottom 6 oz., Deck 6+4 oz.
Neil and I sat down and designed this one together on APS3000 for LA type crappy surf. Custom graphics by Neil and Luki provide a statement about the sad current state of affairs in Santa Monica Bay. Optional quad setup but may go best as a twin.
Quad
DIMS:5'9_1.2"x18_11/16"x2_1/4"
Rider: Shayne, 5'8" 160 lbs.
(EPS/Epoxy version)
Core: Austin Foam EPS
Glassing Schedule: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, Bottom 4+4 oz., Deck 4+4 oz.
(PU/PE version)
Core: Surfblanks Australia - green density
Glassing Schedule: Polyester resin, Bottom 4+4 oz., Deck 4+4 oz.
Like many of the popular quads floating around today. A fast small to med wave board and for aerials. Also made one out of PU/PE and same glassing schedule for comparison. Shayne definitely preferred the EPS/Epoxy in terms of liveliness and drive.
DIMS:6'0"_x_18_15/16"_x_2_3/16"
Rider: Aron, 6'0" 180 lbs.
Core: Homeblown Biofoam
Glassing Schedule: Epoxy, Bottom 6oz hemp, Deck 6oz hemp + 6oz hemp Deck Patch
Aron could throw it around in small wave conditions and liked the flex and drive of the board. He's banged on this hemp board pretty well, and it's survived. Even the leash plug is made of biodegradable plastic from Greenlight Surf Supply.
Dims:7'6"x22_3/16"x2_15/16"
Core:EPS
Glassing: Epoxy, Bottom 6+4, Deck 6+6 +4oz Deck Patch
Deck Art: Rey
Had fun shaping this one. A big guys' funshape, or a mini-longboard for the smaller guy.
I had the 6'6 in Australia. I only rode it on the 3 or 4 days that it was overhead (kind of a step-up board for me) but it worked great. I need to ride it a bit more in some decent size surf to get a feel for it... feedback to come.
I leant the board to a ripper in Australia. He really liked the board and got some good barrels. His criticism was that the front rails were a bit unforgiving.
My little bro is going to surf it a bit... I'll let you know what he thinks...
Aidan
DIMS:6'8"x19_3/4"x2_3/8"
Core: EPS
Glassing Schedule for LT Version: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, Bottom 6, Deck 6+6
Glassing Schedule for XT Version: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, Bottom 6+6, Deck 6+6+4
Board was designed to be a big man's all around shortboard for small to OH conditions ala Clarke Tamariki, hence the name. This board was glassed in both a heavy (XT) and lighter (LT) schedule to see how the 2 extremes held up under Clarke's feet. Clarke was an All-American water polo player at Cal, and is now a regular at Ocean Beach. Clarke lives to surf, and the combination of him ( 6'4" 225+ lbs) surfing heavy Ocean Beach makes for a good test pilot for our durability.
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Light (LT) version made it to Chile w/ Suneil Thomas. See link to Shayne Ferber's photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferber/sets/72157600289907417/show/
Here's Suneil's quote: "Those photos are great. Such an amazing story too. Vasco hadn't really surfed in like 5 years (he grew up in Marin and used to be pretty good). He was totally struggling on these crappy Surftechs and then got on the Riki Pro and started crushing it. He can be Entropy's "Jarred" from Subway story."
Dims:6'6"x19_3/8"x2_5/16"
Glassing: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, Bottom 6, Deck 6+4
This board was a featured product at the 2007 JEC composites show and was a hit w/ all the materials geeks. More importantly, another copy of this board was handed off to Aidan for an Oz trip. Here's his initial feedback:
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Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 15:29:46 -0700
From: "Aidan Raney"
To: "Desi Banatao"
Subject: OzFest
Yo Team ERL,
Hope all is well up there... things couldn't be better down here. Oz has been a great - I've gotten some great surf, probably the best surf trip I've ever been on. I rode the "black beauty" ERL at Lennox Point in solid 6' surf the last couple days. Lennox is such a freaking good wave, long right hander with really big barrels. The board worked great... it's especially useful to have a strong board the wave is heavy and the paddle out is crazy. It's all rocks with no easy way out, and I lose some serious flesh out there every time I surf.
I've been hanging out with this guy who used to be a pro surfer, and now makes surf films and documentaries. Really good guy and ripper surfer, knows everyone down here. He's been riding the ERL board and loves it... he got a huge barrel on it yesterday at this beachbreak nearby. He would be a good guy to know for your australia connection. I tried explaining that the resin uses carbon to make it stronger... he shows it to some other guy and is like "hey, check out this carbon fiber board." I don't think they got it...
I'll try to get some pics going...
Aidan
Dims:6'6"x20_1/2"x2_5/8"
Core: Austin Foam EPS
Glassing Schedule: Bottom 6+4, Deck 6+6+4
Easy paddling, maneuverable fish hybrid.
This is the first prototype we built using a new epoxy resin. The resin has some cosmetic issues that need to be worked out.
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This is Suneil's feedback after a recent Costa Rica trip.
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Hey man. I just got back from costa and am checking this...despite the looks, the board is f#%*ing sick! Total hit. Costa dream board. Me and my two friends (big, decent surfers) basically fought over that thing. I ran into a guy who had a quiver of similar boards. He was amped on the thing too.
Even with the heavy glass job it flies! Can't wait to try it with a quad and lighter glass. The shape is a winner though. I rode it everything from mushy point waves to heavy overhead beach break pits. It never bogged which is pretty amazing for a fish.
Late,
Suneil
Dims: 5' 11 3/4" x 18 5/16" x 2 3/16"
Glassing Schedule: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, Bottom 6+4, Deck 6+6+4
Rider: Aron, 6'0", 180 lbs.
Skill: Advanced
Another shortboard for Aron. Fuller shape than version 1.0. More volume where it counts to ideally paddle better. Full template for smooth carving. Designed for summer time So Cal surf. This one was glassed "XT" (Xtra Tuff) to see how far we can go with durability and stiffness.
Dimensions: 6'0" x 18 1/4" x 2 3/16"
Rider: Aron, 6'0", 180 lbs.
Skill: Advanced
Glassing: Carbon-Fuzed Epoxy, 6 oz deck, 6 oz bottom
