DEEP March/April 2014 Green Issue | Page 73

Shawn Tracht waited until winter to test this board. PHOTO: GREGG TALLY PHOTO: BRENT LIEBERMAN Ryan Lovelace and Tracht. PHOTO: BRENT LIEBERMAN Free friction surfing is fast. PHOTO: CAMERON KNOWLTON PHOTO: TRACHT Some guys get tubed on this thing. Tracht spun the heck out of it! rail is designed to trim high on a wave’s face, but if you lose your trim line, just follow through with your 360 and try getting the rail line engaged on your next time around.  4 If you want to blow people’s minds, then fly across a shallow reefy section, over the kelp that’s eating everybody up who has fins, and then spin three 360s in a row to the beach. You’ll have every person from the water to the beach hooting at you and running over to see what the heck you’re up to (that’s from personal experience as well). As far as who the board is designed for, I’d say anyone who is looking for a new challenge. For me, a working man, I generally surf the same waves everyday. After putting in 10 years at the same local spots, the way for me to be a surf wanderer is to challenge myself on new surfboards at the same ol’ wave. I’d say as long as you can catch waves, stand up and trim down the line on your normal board, then you can learn how to surf this board too (in whatever way you choose to do it). The final way to really explain my stoke about this board is the text I sent Lovelace after the biggest swell that I was Ryan Lovelace— part hippie, part genius. able to catch on the Rabbitsfoot: “Had a freaking phenomenal session in pumping waves tonight on the Rabbits Butt kook. Board is mental! I walked down the path and had all the boys (were) laughing at me and with me ... all befuddled. There were some 6- to 10foot faces here and there. I told them only wussies use fins. They got a kick out of it! I climbed over some reef and out to this spot that never breaks, and they all said they were going to walk out on the point just to check it out. Don’t think I wasn’t thrilled? My first two waves were overhead and I have to say, I had the board dialed more in big waves than small, like you told me. I’ve never had so many guys that I respect hooting so loud and so long as I skated across this reef finger and made some critical sections, then would spin two or three 360s in the bowl and ride out of it. What a freakin’ rush! It was like my own little Super Bowl in my own mind. I was so hyped! Thanks for being ballsy and freaking going for it Lovelace! I don’t always want to surf finless, but tonight was one of the most exhilarating sessions of my life. Unforgettable! Keep rockin’ it weird brahda! You’re the man! Thanks for the ride!” RYAN LOVELACE SURF CRAFT Shaper: Ryan Lovelace Board Shape/Design: Rabbitsfoot / Finless Surfboard How to order: Honestly ... I have no idea! Just call Lovelace and tell him if you’re a regular or a goofy foot, give your height and weight, and then hold on and see what shows up at your door. Fins: Ya right! Who needs fins! Board’s specialty: Spinning five 360s in a row, speed, and a very unique challenge that is sure to get you much attention and a lot of stoke. This Board is perfect for: Surfers who need to revitalize the surfing experience with a new challenge. Shaper’s Contact Info: Website: www.rlovelace.com Email: [email protected] Surfer’s Blog