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

Construction type:

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!