|
|
about
Bob
Davis
People often ask me, Bob! Davis! How did you come up with the idea for Wave Blades?
It all started one rainy summer day 1987 in Long Beach New York during one of our nor'easters. The swell was running eight to ten foot, (that's from the front, of course) and everyone and their brother was out surfing and bodyboarding. Since I was the only bodysurfer in a hundred mile radius that could get out, I was made into the token buoy marker. Everyone used my head as their bottom turn marker. Not having the speed to beat anyone on the takeoffs or even in the wave I was left to eat alot of wakes.
That's when I realized I needed to make something that would increase my speed but not hinder my bodysurfing style like most hand boards i.e. hand guns or swimming paddles. I tried those and they just limited the way I usually ride. You see, I like riding with one arm back or both arms under me. I like to dolphin in the wave and on my takeoffs so hand guns were totally out of the question and those swimming paddles come off when your arms go back.
I tried gluing a five millimeter glove to a speedo paddle. It worked O.K. but it still kept grabbing an edge and ripping back. I said to myself Bob! Davis! Can I make a board that's lightweight, streamlined, easy to wear, adds speed and thrills and won't take away from the pure pleasure of bodysurfing?
And the heavens parted, the winds went off shore at five knots, the waves became a perfect eight foot with a forgiving shoulder, and the sea peacefully whispered back, YES ! YES! YOU CAN BOB! YOU CAN DO IT! I went right to it and designed an aerodynamic structure. Something that gave each finger control over the movement of the board.
I decided to make the outside rail longer then the inside so more weight could be placed on it giving you the ability to hold a higher line in the wave . I designed the inner rail smaller so that it would be easier to swim with. I created a soft palm support to cushion the bumps and give you something to crab onto so that you can hold onto the board when it seems like it might come off. The board is injected with foam all around a five fingered three millimeter glove and then shaped by hand . The finished product is a hydro dynamically designed cross between a UFO and a Manta Ray. This board cannot come off your hand once it is on unless you want to take it off. After a week it becomes an extension of your body.
After ten years of getting input from everyone I have ever met, the Wave Blade has changed considerably. I have tried not to let my ego get in the way of hearing and using good ideas. That's why the Wave Blades are always changing and I like it that way. Its all about sharing ideas and having fun doing what you love. And I love bodysurfing.
It all started one rainy summer day 1987 in Long Beach New York during one of our nor'easters. The swell was running eight to ten foot, (that's from the front, of course) and everyone and their brother was out surfing and bodyboarding. Since I was the only bodysurfer in a hundred mile radius that could get out, I was made into the token buoy marker. Everyone used my head as their bottom turn marker. Not having the speed to beat anyone on the takeoffs or even in the wave I was left to eat alot of wakes.
That's when I realized I needed to make something that would increase my speed but not hinder my bodysurfing style like most hand boards i.e. hand guns or swimming paddles. I tried those and they just limited the way I usually ride. You see, I like riding with one arm back or both arms under me. I like to dolphin in the wave and on my takeoffs so hand guns were totally out of the question and those swimming paddles come off when your arms go back.
I tried gluing a five millimeter glove to a speedo paddle. It worked O.K. but it still kept grabbing an edge and ripping back. I said to myself Bob! Davis! Can I make a board that's lightweight, streamlined, easy to wear, adds speed and thrills and won't take away from the pure pleasure of bodysurfing?
And the heavens parted, the winds went off shore at five knots, the waves became a perfect eight foot with a forgiving shoulder, and the sea peacefully whispered back, YES ! YES! YOU CAN BOB! YOU CAN DO IT! I went right to it and designed an aerodynamic structure. Something that gave each finger control over the movement of the board.
I decided to make the outside rail longer then the inside so more weight could be placed on it giving you the ability to hold a higher line in the wave . I designed the inner rail smaller so that it would be easier to swim with. I created a soft palm support to cushion the bumps and give you something to crab onto so that you can hold onto the board when it seems like it might come off. The board is injected with foam all around a five fingered three millimeter glove and then shaped by hand . The finished product is a hydro dynamically designed cross between a UFO and a Manta Ray. This board cannot come off your hand once it is on unless you want to take it off. After a week it becomes an extension of your body.
After ten years of getting input from everyone I have ever met, the Wave Blade has changed considerably. I have tried not to let my ego get in the way of hearing and using good ideas. That's why the Wave Blades are always changing and I like it that way. Its all about sharing ideas and having fun doing what you love. And I love bodysurfing.