A brand new board concept from AHD that addresses the frustration of turning up at the beach to find a great swell running, but with little or no wind.
The AHD Seal Concept is the board that takes the Fish boards one stage further. Standing at only 215cm long and 59cm wide, you would be forgiven to question how such a board could actually make it out to the impact zone.
Over to Pascal Gerber to explain this amazing new shape further.
The compact wave program, inspired from the “Fish”, shows its technical face, just like did the "no nose" boards did when they arrived on the scene.
Yes, a short board is more manoeuvrable, nervous and rides easier in chops…
However its accessibility is reduced, its balance disturbed because of its poor length and the lack of “nose” which obligates the shaper to add volume on the front part of the board.
This negative balance can be felt by the rider when starting planning, during transitions or after landings; one can feel the board wants to dive from the nose.
The excess volume on the front rails makes the board refuse engagements in curves or in wilder conditions.
The AHD “Seal Concept” is the answer to the inconvenience of the “fish” concept boards.
It was first developed by the input of our young AHD wave rider’s (Antoine Baldet) who wanted to ride on a “Fish”.
Pascal Gerber then shaped a first board that measures 206cm x 53cm with 63 litres for Antoine and another board that measure (212cm x 60cm) with 80 litres for Bruno Andre.
The first tests of the Fish board showed the explosive side of the boards, answering to the less push, maybe too unstable and not well balanced because of the short length and the important rail on the front…
Our riders tested the boards equipped with tri fins, in the aim of giving stability in the curve.
The results of the tests were positive, but although the fins addition gave a plus, it was definitely on the rails that we needed to work.
The Birth of the Seal Concept
On the same out-line, we increased the volume in the nose, especially in the middle zone. Pascal then shaped rails with “classic volumes” rails, building a step on each side of the deck.
This concept, short, balanced with a maximum volume in the front, enables the board to have an increased stability. The board does not dive anymore from the nose during non-planning times. The stability is amazing, even over white water waves with no speed.
In surf, the reduced front rails go into the water and fix the curve, cancelling the rail’s refusal on contact to the water. The shape accelerates in bottom turns, and rollers, allowing wild surfs on small or soft waves with crazy speed!
With single or tri fins, the board turns shortly, immediately, with a maximum response.
With a length of 215cm, 59cm width, 82 litres and 5.5kg, the Seal is the efficient compact wave board! Just have a look on this video !
But why “Seal” ? Because: Seal eat Fish…
The Seal remains a “concept shape”, available in High Quality AHD prototype. All programs are available, shaped by Pascal Gerber,
More info: www.a-h-d.com
