INTRO
Tony Ray was and still is arguably one of Australia’s best big wave exports. With two second places in the Eddie amongst many other successful results on the rock. He was one of the very few at the time sporting a swallow tail amongst a sea of pintails. Although this design is not being put forward as a heritage model as it could rather as a design that is still relevant today particularly to those who may be a tad long in the tooth who yearn to draw the classic lines still functional in waves of consequence where speed patience and grace are required. Of late there are too many bragging they can ride big waves on small boards and they can, but grace certainly goes out the door.
PLAN SHAPE
Tony always favoured the swallow as he could dig it hard off the bottom and gain the reach required without any skate during the process. Together with the long straight outline in the back half punctuated with a point on either side i.e. a swallow, he could get
the reach required particularly at Easter Reef down south in Vicco where he often excelled. Of course, a plan shape like this needs speed and once it has it everything comes together.
BOTTOM SHAPE
Again, the bottom shape is one that could be labelled as retro or even still very today as the con-vee has become very popular today in many designs. A long vee in the back half created a long straight rail line that when tipped can deliver the ultimate reach around
long sections in a very stable way. With a concave through the front half, it does the very opposite in that it delivers more rail rocker under or forward of the front foot delivering forgiveness in choppy wind-blown faces that are normally prevalent in surfing big outer
reef destinations.
ROCKER + RAILS
The rocker in this model is as you would expect extreme, particularly in the tail to counter the stiffness of a long narrow straight plan shape in the back half and the rotational tightness of an abrupt swallow. The nose entry is moderated to counter excessive rocker
and better paddle in. We want the curve where it is needed. The rails are on the lower side, but still forgiving in nature with a more domed deck in order to keep the foam up on the stringer and forward of centre aiding paddle.
DIMENSIONS
7.2 X 19 X 2 ¾ = 37.36 Lts
With this model the sample pictured is 7.2 x 19 x 2 ¾ = 37.36.
I presume this model if chosen will require customization which will be a part of the service.