I might be a bit naive but am odds as to why there is no standard measurement for nose & tail rockers.
Frustrating when comparing all boards on line. I think it is an important feature that tells if a board is suitable for fat or sucky steep waves.
After all we have exact lengths,widththickness measurement plus volume which all are important.
But my main frustration is the nose rocker & to a second degree the tail rocker.
It would be great to see something like NR3 & TR2 meaning Nose Rocker 3 out of 5 & Tail Rocker 2 out of 5.
Measured with the board laying flat on a level surface & measures from the floor up to the nose & from the floor to the tail tip.
Or make it out of 10. I know some Pro Naishes have excessive Nose Rockers that may be noted as NR9, 9 out of 10.
I think this would help those like me be able to make a purchase with out trying first. I know! Try before you buy. But this isn't always possible. Lucky so far with my purchase of the Atlantis Vex Profusion. And took the gamble with my JP Wide Body that had less nose rocker. But now cannot compare with others & its back to the guessing game. If I was a board maker, I would state therocker size from floor to nose & tail. Or as a newby back to surfing from the 1970's, Have I missed something?
Because rocker is not simply a measurement only at the tip/tail of the board, but also how the rocker accelerates from the mid point of the board.
ie, two boards can have the same 5" rocker at the point of the nose - but one may have a nice graduated flow from the mid point, where the second is virtually flat until the last few inches where there is a big rocker kick. Both will ride very differently
To be anything useful you would need measurements every 6 inches or so from the mid point, in both directions.
oh well. Looks like I will have to go by reviews from you guys. Very informative. So should help.
That really is how long is a piece of string question. There is rocker profiles for narrow boards and different ones for wider boards . Then you have tail and nose rocker. There is no magic formula in sups because you can't compare to a shortboard. If you can't stand on it or paddle fast enough to catch a wave it's too narrow or too much rocker. So sometimes they flatten the rocker to give more paddle speed and then pull in and turn up the nose and tail and keep the width for stability.
This will give both of best worlds but your board will look like a Barbecued sausage. Progressive design is more rocker profile with extra nose and tail lift on a narrower board with more pulled in nose and tail. Boom the perfect board but you can't stand on it or catch waves.
This is where you have to look at all the designs and take into account your height , weight and ability plus where you want to surf it. So here is the magical formula you might be after:- L = Litres you need + A = Ability out of 10 +W= Weight kg's + S = Surf conditions.
L+A+W+S , for me = ("L" min 105 + Ability 7 + "W" 88kgs , "S" Surf Beach breaks & Bombies)
For me this comes out to the JP 2015 8-6 , yes there are plenty of other boards that will suit but this video gives a good insight to why I ride what I do. Feel free to post other videos of other brands.
