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Larry Allison, Surfer since the early 70's and Windsurfer since the early 80's has been developing and water testing with his Team Riders, before creating the First Official Sup Fin Designs and Foils used by some of the leaders in the SUP WORLD TODAY.
Reid Inouye of Standup Paddle Magazine with his Probox Finsystem Surf SUP Quiver
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Saturday, November 5, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
SUP Dagger concept by Larry Allison for a Paddle from Key West Florida to Portland Maine
Got a call from a Mike Nunnery from R.I. asking to order a Eric Terrian Bat Race Keel. After talking with Mike, he asked me is there some way using your fin to have better control on a board with a long beam reach like a Bark 18 footer? I replied, "Yes! Using what I call a SUP Dagger concept. Then after explainning all of this to Mike, he asked if I would share this with his 2 friends Mike Simpson and Will Rich who were about to set off on a long distance paddle from Key West Florida to Portland Maine. No problem, I would be happy to share the concept with you guys. And so the journey began. Below are the 2 fins used in this long distance paddle, a John Becker Race Fin 8 1/2" in height and a lead SUP Dagger fin 3" in height.
Below shows, Mike Nunnery going thru the process of installing the SUP Dagger box with alittle melt down but he corrected the situation. Great job Mike!
To follow the journey of Mike Simpson and Will Rich go to http://www.supthecoast.com/ . Honored to be part of the team guys, good luck. ENJOY THE RIDE!
February 21, 2011 the burning insideWe are itching to go. Some days fly by, others stand still. Just a couple days ago it seemed as though we had so much to do but as we get closer and closer the stress levels drop and we feel more and more confident with what we have and how we have prepared to this point. A couple of weeks ago a man by the name of Larry Allison contacted us. He is a fin maker from California who made the 8 1/2″ fin that was in the board when we got it. He informed us that there was fin technology out there that was much more advanced out there and that we needed it and that he would provide it. Deal. Let’s do it.
Larry sent us the fin boxes to install in the boards and while we were doing that he would be shaping up the new fins to change the entire performance and efficiency of the board. Sunday the 20th was the day of the install. Another of our sponsors, fellow paddler, competitor, and enthusiast, Mike Nunnery had also been in touch with Larry and was going to be doing the same installation to his own board. As some may know, Mike makes prosthetic limbs for amputees. So on Sunday morning we met him at his shop in North Kingstown, RI with fin boxes in hand.
Mike Nunnery had already created a template to use to router the slot where the fin box would be set into. First we marked a center line in each board and then measured where we would be placing the box. That way we would know where to place the template to make the cut. From there we moved on to making the cut in each board.
With the slots cut, we prepped to begin glassing the fin boxes in. We cut our mat, taped our edges, got our resin and hardener ready and went over the process just to be sure that everyone knew what to do and where to be. With everything mixed and ready for placement we got going because it doesn’t take long for the resin and hardener to start reacting. We poured a layer into the slot then layered in the glass and then the box. Then we started to fill in the gaps with the rest of the mix and excess mat. In minutes the resin and hardener kicked off and heated up. It was too much too fast and it was so hot that the foam began to smoke, melt and the fin box began to sink into the board. Reacting quickly Mike Nunnery and I scrambled to get the fin box out of the, now cave of a hole in my board. After some swearing and struggling we got the box out of the board which continued to melt slightly with the little remaining residue.
After making some emergency phone calls we weighed our options and what to do next. After all we still had two more boards to do the install on. Luckily we were at the Nunnery Lab where Mike had a variety of different composites, mixtures, epoxies, sealants, and adhesives. Having already cut up an old surfboard to test the router template, we knew we had extra foam to work with. We also still had a few good sized chunks of foam from my board when we routered the slot. We decided that we would use a tube of two part epoxy that had a really fast cure time. After testing the reaction it would have with the foam from my board and the foam from the cut up surfboard, we cut cross sections from the old board to use as filler for my board so we could basically start from scratch. Using that old foam and the epoxy we did indeed fill the hole that had, when all the melting was done, become almost three times the size of the original slot cut. We let it set up completely, which took about 5 minutes, and then started the process over again. This time when we dropped the box in, we would use that same two part epoxy for the bonding as we knew now that it would not heat to a point of melting an enormous crater in the center of my board. Mike Nunnery from the start had wanted to use this two part epoxy but he just did what he was told by the people on the other coast.
Luckily having a excess of materials to use at our disposal we were able to get the box installed and the integrity of the board seemed to be fine after all was done. Seeing as though we worked out the kinks with my board, the install was so quick and easy on Mike’s board, it took minutes. The boards all look great and we cannot to get those new fins in there and see how they perform. Lesson of the day, listen to yourself, go with your instinct. Sometimes you need to go a take the path less traveled. Thank you Mike Nunnery for everything you have done for us. We look forward to paddling with you again as soon as possible.
Below shows, Mike Nunnery going thru the process of installing the SUP Dagger box with alittle melt down but he corrected the situation. Great job Mike!
To follow the journey of Mike Simpson and Will Rich go to http://www.supthecoast.com/ . Honored to be part of the team guys, good luck. ENJOY THE RIDE!
February 21, 2011 the burning insideWe are itching to go. Some days fly by, others stand still. Just a couple days ago it seemed as though we had so much to do but as we get closer and closer the stress levels drop and we feel more and more confident with what we have and how we have prepared to this point. A couple of weeks ago a man by the name of Larry Allison contacted us. He is a fin maker from California who made the 8 1/2″ fin that was in the board when we got it. He informed us that there was fin technology out there that was much more advanced out there and that we needed it and that he would provide it. Deal. Let’s do it.
Larry sent us the fin boxes to install in the boards and while we were doing that he would be shaping up the new fins to change the entire performance and efficiency of the board. Sunday the 20th was the day of the install. Another of our sponsors, fellow paddler, competitor, and enthusiast, Mike Nunnery had also been in touch with Larry and was going to be doing the same installation to his own board. As some may know, Mike makes prosthetic limbs for amputees. So on Sunday morning we met him at his shop in North Kingstown, RI with fin boxes in hand.
Mike Nunnery had already created a template to use to router the slot where the fin box would be set into. First we marked a center line in each board and then measured where we would be placing the box. That way we would know where to place the template to make the cut. From there we moved on to making the cut in each board.
With the slots cut, we prepped to begin glassing the fin boxes in. We cut our mat, taped our edges, got our resin and hardener ready and went over the process just to be sure that everyone knew what to do and where to be. With everything mixed and ready for placement we got going because it doesn’t take long for the resin and hardener to start reacting. We poured a layer into the slot then layered in the glass and then the box. Then we started to fill in the gaps with the rest of the mix and excess mat. In minutes the resin and hardener kicked off and heated up. It was too much too fast and it was so hot that the foam began to smoke, melt and the fin box began to sink into the board. Reacting quickly Mike Nunnery and I scrambled to get the fin box out of the, now cave of a hole in my board. After some swearing and struggling we got the box out of the board which continued to melt slightly with the little remaining residue.
After making some emergency phone calls we weighed our options and what to do next. After all we still had two more boards to do the install on. Luckily we were at the Nunnery Lab where Mike had a variety of different composites, mixtures, epoxies, sealants, and adhesives. Having already cut up an old surfboard to test the router template, we knew we had extra foam to work with. We also still had a few good sized chunks of foam from my board when we routered the slot. We decided that we would use a tube of two part epoxy that had a really fast cure time. After testing the reaction it would have with the foam from my board and the foam from the cut up surfboard, we cut cross sections from the old board to use as filler for my board so we could basically start from scratch. Using that old foam and the epoxy we did indeed fill the hole that had, when all the melting was done, become almost three times the size of the original slot cut. We let it set up completely, which took about 5 minutes, and then started the process over again. This time when we dropped the box in, we would use that same two part epoxy for the bonding as we knew now that it would not heat to a point of melting an enormous crater in the center of my board. Mike Nunnery from the start had wanted to use this two part epoxy but he just did what he was told by the people on the other coast.
Luckily having a excess of materials to use at our disposal we were able to get the box installed and the integrity of the board seemed to be fine after all was done. Seeing as though we worked out the kinks with my board, the install was so quick and easy on Mike’s board, it took minutes. The boards all look great and we cannot to get those new fins in there and see how they perform. Lesson of the day, listen to yourself, go with your instinct. Sometimes you need to go a take the path less traveled. Thank you Mike Nunnery for everything you have done for us. We look forward to paddling with you again as soon as possible.
Friday, November 26, 2010
ALLISON RACE FIN MOVEMENT IN THE NORTHWEST
I would like to Welcome Beau Whitehead and a few of his friends from the Northwest to the Allison Race Fin Movement. Be sure to follow Beau at http://www.paddlesurfnorthwest.com/ Below are some kind words from Beau after getting his BAT RACE KEEL FIN.
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| Add caFibre Glas Fin Company Race Fin I contacted Larry Allison via Facebook to ask about his SUP race fins. He asked for my phone number and called me. We talked for over 30 minutes about everything fin-science. I learned a ton of stuff in 30 minutes. Mostly he told me why I didn't like some of my previous fins and why his foil designs would be better. For my boards and racing conditions, he recommended the Eric Terrien pro model BatWing design. He custom made it for me the following week. I paddled it for the first time today, but in 25 degrees, ice cold conditions, there was not much I could tell... I was too damn cold. It did seem to track very well. I will report more once I can test it in flat and down wind conditions. What I'm hoping for is a fin with low-drag, good tracking and good weed-shedding ability. If looks say anything... it is a winner. If you want to contact Larry, check out his website or send him a message via Facebook. He prefers to talk to paddlers before he sells them a fin... to make sure you get the right design for your needs. Thanks Larry. |
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Ride Review and Video on Allison Race Fins Team Rider Eric Terrien Bat Race Keel
William Pope Larry thank you for the loan of the Bat Wing at the BOP race on Sat. Your fins rock! 1st place in my age/class.
Chris Curry Hey Larry! It was a pleasure meeting you and talking...or should I say listening to all your valuable knowledge in fin design for specific conditions. I noticed an incredible difference and a vast improvement with my new Eric Terrien Bat fin during the distance race. I learned a valuable lesson, never bring a knife to ...a gun fight! I look forward to adding more of your designs to my artillery! Thanks for the ammo Larry!
Boardworks Surf Thanks for the support Larry. Your fins made our boards GO!!!
Chris Curry This picture speaks for itself! We used the Ninja, Jim Terrell, and Bat designs in all the BoP race events.
Chip Bock No worries Larry, your Fins are the high performance wheels under our SUP "race cars"...Mahalo
and when it comes to making Joe's shapes go fast and straight...who else do you love?...Thanks Larry
Eric Terrien
Hi Larry, Thank you for making those wonderful fins, as I told you before, I really enjoy riding with this bat fin, the board tracks straight and is still easy to control, maybe a litlle harder to turn than with my previous small and narro...w fin but this is question of getting used to it, all in all I get more glide out of each paddle stroke, I just love it !
Hi Larry, Thank you for making those wonderful fins, as I told you before, I really enjoy riding with this bat fin, the board tracks straight and is still easy to control, maybe a litlle harder to turn than with my previous small and narro...w fin but this is question of getting used to it, all in all I get more glide out of each paddle stroke, I just love it !
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Bill Stewart Ginty SUP Surf Collection with Ride Review from Reid Inouye of Standup Paddle Magazine
Reid Inouye This Stewart fin is unreal.
Reid Inouye Larry, I'm going to ride it with the bonzer quads at a spot that no one surfs on a north swell when everywhere is packed and 3-4 times over head on my 9' you "pro-boxed". The spot turns into a fun double over head wall that goes for about 100 yards.
Reid Inouye Larry, I'm going to ride it with the bonzer quads at a spot that no one surfs on a north swell when everywhere is packed and 3-4 times over head on my 9' you "pro-boxed". The spot turns into a fun double over head wall that goes for about 100 yards.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Ride Review from Standup Paddle Magazine on the John Becker Race Keel by John Becker and Larry Allison
STANDUP PADDLE MAGAZINE More Pro(fessor) Box Larry testing. The John Becker fin and history. I think all of Larry's race keel fins derive from the one he made for John Becker. Not certain but I think it's a good conclusion as the race keels all have that "JB" feel. Still one of the most ridden of what I have taken out, that JB fin works in fl...ats, open water, surf.Now, (don't know what to call it but is says mini-race keel) JB Jr. I took it out today for 30 minutes and this one was super fun as well. Don't think it'll go in surf (still have to try it) but it goes in flat water. Good straight line but with more looseness going around buoys.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Ride Review from Standup Paddle Magazine on the new Jim Terrell Stealth Race Fin by Larry Allison
Just did a 2 mile R&D run at Ala Moana Beach Park. The Jimmy Terrell Fibre Glas Fin. Co. Larry Allison race keel to be exact was the test. I always gauge Larry's Becker/Mills race keel against whatever is placed in front of the Standup Paddle Magazine feedback team.This was the result;The Jim Terrell race keel gets way more strokes per side and even in the wind, the "yaw" was minimal. On a straight course, this one will have a lot less cross over which means keeping speed rate up and momentum going. I even went up to 16 strokes per side. I never thought that was possible.The Becker/Mills fin got me 12 plus strokes but what I like about that fin is on buoy turns, especially on those hard cross-bows, you can yank and turn a lot easier than the JT race keel.Both fins are good. Like having a 12'6 and a 14 or open water and flat water board, you should always have a quiver of at least 2 race fins. It could be a matter of a gold, silver or bronze medal at the next race. Or even 4th which means no medal especially if it was your neighbor who beat you at the last race.So whether you're doing a course race or straight course, know your equipment.
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