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Computer Generated Boards and KKL To produce the most awesome and technically superior surfboards possible, Ed works with Kevin Murray of the KKL Company in Byron Bay. KKL produces the world standard in the field of computer pre-shapes. ESP Surfboards has a file of twenty-two exceptional designs within the KKL computer system which can be digitally manipulated to produce thousands of variables depending on your height, weight and level of expertise.
KKL Surfboard cloning machine, leading edge 21st Century Surfboard Design with undoubtedly the most accurate machine in Australia introduced from California 4 yrs ago. Ed uses the KKL system by initially hand-shaping a "master prototype board” which is then scanned into the KKL computer banks. All of the design characteristics of the prototype (plan-shape, thickness, concaves, vees, rocker and curve), are documented by the computer. The computer can then customise this prototype into any length, thickness or width required by the customer.
Kevin Murray the owner of KKL and Morning-glass the leaders in surfboard pre-shape manufacture in Australia Ed has a positive opinion on the KKL system“…. Kevin Murray the owner of KKL in Australia is one of my surfing buddies and his advice has been invaluable in taking me to the next level in the evolution of my surfboard design. For over thirty years I was hand shaping all my own boards sometimes up to 30 a week with nothing more than an electric planer and good old blood, sweat and tears. The KKL is truly a magic system to use because you always get a fantastic starting point from which to fine-tune your designs with a lot less physical effort. Trying to reproduce those magic team boards is a breeze with this technology, you can’t go wrong. After shaping 20,000 blanks by hand I have found a new and exciting way of translating my ideas into foam. As a designer I will still always hand-shape to produce new and original surfboard concepts. The only difference is that now I have a technology available to reproduce these designs immaculately” As a result of using the KKL system I can now guarantee exact replicas of my hand shaped prototypes in any length width or thickness.
Quality blanks are sourced from Burford, Empire, South Coast and Dion. Surfboard Design Terminology In order to get the most out of your custom made surfboard its important to understand what each component of the surfboard design process is to help you get that magic board. Rails Rails are a critical part of surfboard design and are the edge of a surfboard, where the deck and the bottom meet .The softer the rail the more the surfboard will hold its "track" in the wave and reduce turning ability- you'll find softer rails on more traditional long-boards, but even then we use edges in certain places for drive and manoeuvrability. “The harder rail will produce a board that does a tighter turn and has explosive acceleration. Modern short-boards have a combination of both and they are kept lower to disguise the thickness and aid in turning”. Rocker Basically, rocker is the curve along the bottom of the board from nose to tail. It generally follows the stringer line. Fishes and long-boards are flatter. Short boards have more curves to make them looser and execute vertical power arcs. “I’ve developed individual curves and rockers in all of my models to create maximum speed, drive and manoeuvrability. Speed is essential but so is turning and the ability to handle late takeoffs. It’s all a very fine combination”. Fins (skegs) ESP surfboards has been lucky enough to have a close association with some of the worlds best fin designers and uses FCS, Shapers Australia fiberglass fins , Soar fins and Fin System composites.
Shapers Australia Lightweight Performance Surfboard fins.
Surfboard Bottom Contour's Flat This provides a completely flat planning surface on the bottom of your surfboard. They are quick and loose in small and mushy surf but at higher speeds can difficult to turn and shift to the side when turned hard. Flat bottoms are fantastic when they are combined with vees in retro and fish style surfboards . Concave This provides a concave planning surface on the bottom of the surfboard. The main purpose of the concave is to channel the water flow down the length of the surfboard in the fastest possible manner. In essence the concave puts a straight line under your feet and actually flattens the stringer line thus accelerating the water flow out of the tail . Concaves create lift and drive.
Double Concaves These are placed between the feet and are basically twin concaves placed either side of the stringer. They can be inserted into any bottom configuration to give it extra speed and lift. Ed has his own memories of this fantastic design. “I went to the N.S.W state titles at Old Bar and it was pumping. My team was Jake Spooner, Glen Kelly, Mick Lowe, Jack Clark, Chad Ryan and Kris Puckeridge. They were all riding deep double barrel concaves that I had shaped with extra hard edges on the tail. At this time most shapers were doing softer rolled bottoms with vees; They won every division or placed second it was sensational because I saw the power of research and development unfold before my eyes that weekend.” Channels The channel surfboard bottom consists of flat planes that are designed in a concave configuration. They typically number from 4 to 8 channels and direct water flow down the length of the channel. Since the channels sit side by side to each other the water is not being compressed as it is in a full concave. These concave configurations of each channel propel water down the back underbelly of the surfboard and convert this into forward thrust. Longer and deeper channels give a more pronounced effect. “The first time I saw channels they looked like corrugated iron. It was about the middle seventies and Terry Richardson who was riding for Fluid Foils came down to Skippy’s with a batch of Jim Pollards triple wing singles. Learning to shape them was a trip but I still think channels are one of the most ballistic designs ever made, I'm currently designing some new millenuim models with channels as their main focus ”. Vee This is the opposite off concave. Vee is used to loosen up the tail at high speeds and increases the rocker at the rail line which makes boards turn more easily. Overall Vee makes a surfboard easier to lean on edge but is slower to a degree. "I utilise tail vee a lot with single concaves they give added punch in and out of turns with a greater degree of control”
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Surfboard Tail Shapes There are so many surfboard tail shapes to choose from it can be confusing to many customers. Here on our design page Ed presents some simple explanations of the more common tail shapes. If your ordering a custom make sure you have a chat with us about what tail suits your surfing best.
Squash tail The Squashtail is probably the most universal tail shape used on contemporary surfboards. The design offers a stable ride because of its tail area but enables the surfboard to still remain loose. The Squashtail is a great tail shape for any standard of surfer and can be used in both small and overhead waves.
Ed checking the rocker and concaves.
Square tail This tail is generally squared at the end or slightly rounded which gives you more direct drive than a squashtail . The Squaretail is really the pre-runner to the Squashtail and its edgier sharp corners can give you more power off your back foot. Used in small to head high waves.
Josh Lewan Surfing ESP in the Canary islands
Thumb tail A more rounded version of the Squashtail, resulting in more stability for the board. The reduced tail are has less direct edge than the that you get in the Squash and Square tails. A great tail for rail to rail surfing, vertical arcs and big turns on the face.! The Thumbtail is effective in medium to very large surf. Rounded Pin tail Very similar to the Thumbtail but slightly more 'pinched' toward the tail. This tail is the tightest holding rail. Like the Thumbtail above and the regular Pintail, there is no interruption in the flow of the rail from the rail right through to the tail. The Rounded Pintail is a great tail for medium / larger waves and ideal for powerful hollow surf. Pin tail The Pintail is unique in its ability to hold its line in large and powerful hollow waves! It has evolved from the from the Rounded Pintail and comes to much more of a definite point. It finishes in a sharper, thinner pin. This is the tail shape that won’t let you down in extreme conditions.
Colour option's in the Spray Booth
Swallow tail The Swallowtail combines the rail drive of the Squaretail and the sensitivity of the Pintail. It is great because if its jagged nature for mid face carving and radical turns. The wider tail gives better paddling power and increased drive in smaller waves. One of the most underrated tails available.
Bat tail The Bat-tail is first-class in smallish to overhead waves and is one of the more contemporary surfboard tail constructions. The Bat-tail executes its turns similar to a Swallowtail. The two outer pivot points combined with its central axis point give you the drive of a swallow and the manoeuvrability of a square.
Wing The wing is more of a rail shape than a traditional tail shape. It can be seen as the bump in the plan-shape around the fin area. Wings can be added to any tail construction and can reduce area quickly and produce a combination of drive and manoeuvrability. Just because your swallowtail has wings its still called a swallowtail.. Wings can be single, double or triple depending on the use of that particular surfboard.
Ed Shaping Channels in the early 80's
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