board#160: asymmetrical shortboard for Vincent

Dimensions: 5'4 x 18 5/8 x 2
[completed in March 2017]
Model Versatile-A

The story: Third iteration of the asymmetrical shortboard board model I created for my husband Vincent (see board#100 and board#136). He still loves the benefit of the tail/rail asymmetry (see the shape section) and the original artwork! 

The shape: The idea is to build a board that would have different specifications on the toes/heel sides since the pressure applied is different (more power on the heels, more control on the toes). The toe side has the longest rail and pinched rails for optimized penetrance of the wave while carving a nice arc. The heel side is the shortest for smaller arc to quickly bring the board up to the lip.

The artwork: still using the concept of the shifted stripes which highlights the asymmetry.

board#156: shortboard for Mark

Dimensions: 5'8 x 19 5/8 x 2 3/4

[completed in February 2017]

Model Versatile_A

The story: I have been making boards for Mark for a while:

Mark's board #1: keel fish (board#009)

Mark's board #2: mini-gun (board#032)

Mark's board #3: shortboard (board#050)

Mark's board #4: shortboard (board#073)

This is Mark's board #5 !!!!

The shape: Mark is an excellent surfer who loves to experiment new shapes. He saw my husband's asymmetrical board and asked to have his own version. The asymmetry is for regular foot: shorter rail on the heel side to allow for narrower backside turns (and hit the lip faster). Rails are also rounder on backside to support the extra weight with more forgiveness. Frontside rail are pinched and longer for nice wider carves.

The artwork: keeping the spirit of the asymmetrical artwork I started on this model with a simple shifted stripe. Easy and efficient: my favorite artworks :)

board#140: asymmetrical fish at ND Surf workshop (July 2016)

board#140

Dimensions: [don't remember]
[completed on: Never]

The story:  In Summer 2016,  I stopped by my friend Nicolas Delors's workshop (ND Surf) located in Bidart (France). The idea was to have fun making a special shape together which would be the opportunity to share experiences and tips. When I arrived early that morning before the heat kicks in, a blank was waiting for me in the ND Surf's shaping room as well as local photographer Cedric Ortiz. He beautifully documented that special shaper collaboration which was made even more special by the visit of my mom (who had never seen me shape before) and longtime friend, past Icon of Foam competitor, and amazingly talented shaper Axel Lorentz. 

The shape: Nicolas and I decided we should pick an unusual shape to have fun with it but also with some technicalities which would make us learn from it.  Before we met we exchanged few ideas by emails and we finally went for a Carl Ekstrom asymmetrical board.  With the limited time we had, the board was partially completed but the goal was not to finish it in details: the goal was to go through all the steps together and have a great time! And that part was fully completed :)

Later, the photographs of this shaping session were used to illustrate an interview in French magazine Hotdogger. Here are a selection of those amazing pictures by Cedric Ortiz (https://www.instagram.com/txipi.artz/)

planning with Nicolas

with my mama <3

with mom

trio

with Master Axel Lorentz

in Hotdogger Magazine !

board#136: asymmetric shortboard for Vincent

v2.0 vs original

Dimensions: 5'4 x 18 5/8 x 1 15/16
[completed in July 2016]
Model Versatile-A

The story: v2.0 of the first asymmetric board I made for my husband Vincent (see board#100). He was so happy with the benefits of a slight asymmetry of his previous board that I was asked to reproduce it.

The shape: The idea is to build a board that would have different specifications on the toes/heel sides since the pressure applied is different (more power on the heels, more control on the toes). The toe side has the longest rail and pinched rails for optimized penetrance of the wave while carving a nice arc. The heel side is the shortest for smaller arc to quickly bring the board up to the lip.

The artwork: still using the concept of the shifted stripes which highlights the asymmetry.

comparing comparing. it better be the same!

board#100: asymmetric shortboard for Vincent

Dimensions:  5'4 x 18 5/8 x 2
[completed in August 2015]
model Versatile-A

The story: to me it was a big deal to be shaping my 100^th board. It was definitely a milestone for Mere-Made surfboards. I had to shape a board that would stay with me. It also had to be very special and a challenge to myself to make the point that I improved my shaping skills since board#001. It made so much sense to be shaping my first asymmetric board (on purpose J).

The shape: it was a total team work with my team rider, Vincent Duprat. Because we are both scientifics, the approach was very scientific too: in order to see if the asymmetry is beneficial, we had to compare it to the same symmetric board. We spec the dimensions to match Vincent actual board (versatile model, board#085) but adding a slight asymmetry to the bottom half of the board only. The asymmetry was designed for a goofy foot rider with more rail length on the toe side. But then more volume on the heel side. Concaves and fin placement are also asymmetrical accordingly. Shaping-wise it was like shaping two boards at once. I had a drawing of the volume repartition on the wall with the bottom view and deck view in order to not be confused every time I flip the board. It was a very interesting experience to design and shape that board. To add to the excitement, our friend Mark was there to document this special day. He filmed and edited the footage to a very nice piece of work, news-story-style. Thanks Mark!

The artwork: I am so proud of the idea I came up with!!!! I paint the stripes slightly off on my side to illustrate the asymmetry. Those artworks are my favorite: cheap, fast, easy but delivering a message.

Testimonial: Vincent rides this board everyday since he got it (last year).

Mere-Made Surfboards from Mark Sackett on Vimeo.