Tag Archives: 2×4

2×4 round pin Ride Review with Darshan

2×4 round pin first ride review with darshan gooch from Stretch Boards on Vimeo.

Height/weight:

6’4″ 180-185 lbs

2×4 round pin 6’2″ x 19.25″ x 2.375″ vol. 32.0L

darshan testing the 2×4 round pin barrel riding capabilities photo: Bryan Garrison @wetfeetphoto

Construction type:

6’2″ x 19.25″ x 2.375″ shown with abstract color lamination and futures AM2 techflex thruster set.

CFT std with uni-directional carbon tail strips and with the exception of the abstract color lam bottom, features duplicate CFT std glassing as seen in previous Thing v2 round pin ride review seen here

Fins used:

Futures AM2 thruster set:

fronts: 4.73” deep by 4.64” base – flat foil

center: 4.49” deep x 4.63” base – symmetrical foil

Fins Unlimited custom Stretch Generation 2 quad set:

Fronts: 4.75” deep by 4.625” base – custom stretch inside foil

Quad rears: 4.25” deep by 4.25” base – symmetrical foil

Conditions tested:

Wintery types of CA waves varying from chest high to several feet overhead.

Initial thoughts/expectations (was this really what you thought you were getting?):

The initial idea when ordering this particular 2×4 model was to find the performance differences between the THINGv2 and 2×4. We basically kept the dimensions and construction completely the same. I would imagine a fair portion of people ordering the 2×4 may have ridden it a little bit shorter. Considering the time of year and lack of any contemporary tri or quad fins available in my quiver, I thought I better get with a board that could not only fill a missing link in my quiver, but also a board that would be adaptable in the decent to good wave category.

What 3 board models come to mind when checking out this design?:

Stretch’s THINGv2, Matt Biolos’ Mini Driver, Channel Islands Fred Rubble?…

What wave types do you imagine surfing when viewing this design? (full spectrum and size range):

One of the strong points of this particular board is it’s fairly adaptable. Beach breaks, Reef’s, Point breaks, anything with enough juice to get you going and some space to move around. I had a couple great surfs on this board in hollower/down the line type of waves where I rode it as a quad. The majority of the time i rode this board as a tri fin as the waves on offer around town this time of year seemed most suitable.

Ride experience:

In all honesty this was a slight adjustment and exercise in remembering how to ride a contemporary shortboard again. My experience was a little humbling at times considering this past year I have mostly been surfing with twin-fins and singles. Similar to the THINGv2 I tested last year, I found the 2×4 to have a vague familiarity and user-friendly characteristics. Immediately there was an ease or comfort factor when standing up and getting moving. My personal challenge was making the subtle adjustment of stepping further back and finding that sweet spot towards the back fin. (Which isn’t quite the same with a twin fin in particular.)

Likes/Dislikes:

I think there is something to be said here about adaptability and having a board you know you can rely on. The only dislikes worthy of mention would be my own personal limitations from prior lack of interest in contemporary shortboards, This resulted in issues of the balance, timing and rhythm department of my own physical doing.

General observations:

In comparison to the single concave throughout the THINGv2 , I felt there was a little more excitement or eagerness of availability on the back foot that felt like quicker rail to rail transitions.

“If I could choose between this and one other model, I would get the ….. (can be a different stretch model or any other shaper/design):

I’m torn between the 2×4 and the THINGv2 at this point. If I primarily rode contemporary shortboards on a regular basis, I may be leaning towards the 2×4 due to the liveliness available off the back foot. At this point in my limited use and interest in “shortboarding” on a regular basis, I would probably lean more on the predictability and control that the THINGv2 offers.

How well does this board match up to it’s model description?:

I can only account for the slightly longer version being consistent with it’s description. Perhaps a slightly shorter/wider version might be the perfect adjustment in the small to medium sized waves category if you are primarily a conventional “shortboard” type surfer.

Summary (synopsis, recommendations or overall feeling you would tell a friend):

The 2×4 is highly adaptable, user-friendly, performance shortboard. Daily driver certified*

Check out the Stretch Boards webstore for available stock 2×4 models or contact orders@stretchboards.com to get started on a new custom!

Exactly the same construction as the previous Thing v2 round pin, CFT std with marko EPS, bamboo stringer, 6oz. RWG bottom and deck with 4oz. bias S-glass and carbon tail strips.

 

get lost in the Chilean Fog with William Aliotti

“You Only Tell the Truth in the Dark” documents a journey through the Chilean landscape with William Aliotti and Sebastien Zanella of Desillusion Magazine. This video is a somber and introspective look at what drives us into exploring the unknown. It reflects the urgency in each of us to go out of our comfort zone, whether that’s paddling into massive slabs while undergunned or traveling in a camper van for a month with no access to your electronic devices. What we make of the moment defines who we are. We often can’t see well when heading into the fog. In this case, Willy clearly found his way.

Nixon | You only tell the truth in the dark: William Aliotti from NIXON Europe on Vimeo.

 

 

If you get lost in the fog tonight,
will you cry?
If you go out and you cannot see,
will you die?
If you get swallowed by clouds tonight,
will you wake up in your own skin?
Or will you become someone else?
Maybe him.
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“Choose Your Way” featuring William Aliotti

William Aliotti moved to France when he was 15 years old in order to pursue a professional surfing career. He had a vision and a goal back then and now he’s living that dream today.

video and edit by Gines Diaz and Adrian Rodd

Will is riding his 5’10” Lil Buddy, 5’6″ 2×4 and 5’9″ Thing.

Check out more at Stretchboards.com

Benji Brand wins 2015 GoPro Of The World on his 5’8″ CFT LEGACY 2×4

Like Dejavu…

Dreamy Skeleton Bay instagram video post from Benji Brand

That familiar view featuring Koa Smith on his 5’8″ CFT LEGACY 2×4. Same wave, same stance, same model, same construction. They even had the same dims!

Hear Benji’s thoughts on Skeleton Bay in the Surfline feature here

To those who don’t pay much attention to the details this could’ve been the same thing as seen before. But for those who know, there’s a lot to be said about commitment, aspirations, confidence and fulfillment on the part of the 19 year old Benji Brand’s efforts to score one of the most epic POV tube videos the world has ever seen.

Taking a nod at Koa Smith’s vehicle for success, Benji opted for the exact same board. Granted, Benji wanted his board to be light green, he chose to ride his 2×4 swallow tail CFT LEGACY construction 5’8″ x 18.5″ x 2.3″ cork/bamboo with future quad set up through that Namibia tubefest with conviction.

Congratulations Benji!

Wanna follow in the same footsteps as both Koa and Benji?

Want the exact same board?

Does a replica CFT LEGACY 5’8″ x 18.5″ x 2.3″ cork/bamboo 2×4 fit your needs?

Well, we’ve got one with a granitic green deck that’s brand new and available for purchase now!

Just click on over to store.stretchboards.com to view the new 2×4 models available for sale

So how do they compare?

Koa recounts his experience from the inaugural GoPro of the World win on Surfline

 

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you’d be this tired too if you just got slotted endlessly for hours on end…

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Namibia support vehicle with Alex Smith, Koa Smith and Benji Brand.

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Benji giving thanks for the grinders at Skeleton Bay.

Open House November 27th, 2015

harbor sunset background pic.OPEN HOUSE flyer PRINT

Stretch Boards is hosting a holiday open house event on Friday November 27th. We’ll be swinging open the factory doors to anyone who has always been curious as to what goes into making a custom built surfboard.

There will be light refreshments, beverages, working factory tours and face to face customer support for any surfboard related topic you can fathom.

Check out some cool new projects, unique custom builds not seen elsewhere, view a bit of Stretch memorabilia and join in on the community of surfers which make the Stretch Boards family what it is today.

Black friday deals on apparel, fins, accessories, stock surfboards and new custom orders will be in full effect also!

 

This event is in conjunction with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. Bring in minimum 4 non-perishable food items to receive extra special deals!

Our factory is located at the end of Tower Place just off Felt St. It is the largest dedicated epoxy glassing factory in North America and is unlike most every other traditional surfboard factory you will encounter. There is no VOC release or harmful chemicals, messy work areas or hazardous concerns (save for the dust factor). If you’ve ever been curious as to how a sustainable surfboard can be built then this is the perfect opportunity to see first hand!

 

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Barrel dreaming with Koa Smith

While the majority of us were slugging through the doldrums of a lackluster surf season earlier this summer, Koa Smith was globetrotting his way from Hawaii to Tahiti then to Africa all in the name of finding the best waves possible. Yep, he sure did find some gems! Continue reading »