I remember seeing Stuart Campbell many times absolutely shredding sunshine beach as a kid 25 years ago. Now as a shaper his boards look insanely good. I'm not in Aus anymore but if I was he'd be my top pick for boards. I always look for a good shaper that surfs well and can test and refine their own concepts.
Get a Stacey Ohlson Twin. Honestly my favourite mid performance twin to date .... Goes in ankle snappers to as big as you are prepared to paddle ... Agree with your rounded pin twin verdict 🎉
Ridden countless mids and my non-negotiable two faves for the quiver are: Gutless waves for beach breaks and sandies= machado Sunday 6’8 in volcanic (thunderbolt best but hard to find) with more of a raked fin (Al merrick keel) Best for waves that are more critical/more swell and point/reef= 6’6 Almond surfboards Pleasant Pheasant with their fins you get w purchase of the Board. RUNNER UP: Album darkness 6’11. You need a good wave for it to really show its true colors so although it’s the smoothest board, you’re only going to be able to ride it a handful of times a year. The other two are enough to keep you in the water all year.
I appreciate this so much. I like the volcanic over the LFT for sure and the Thunderbolt looks even better. That Almond looks amazing. I have an Album Lucent and it might be a little similar to that Darkness of yours. So smooth.
@ hundo p my man! Always happy to talk shop. The lucent is sick. A friend has the ap version so just a bit shorter and chunkier but small enough at 6’2 to fit in the pocket at a beachy.
@user-eg7nj1is7l So do you choose the Sunday over the Seaside and beyond? I'm asking cause I'm looking for a mid length. I hear mixed stories about the Sunday but everybody seems to praise the SnB.
@@leighrosendahl2734 I did choose the seaside and beyond over the sunday. Mine was LFT and I creased it so It was not long lasting for me. I would only get Volcanic If I got another one (I wont).
I LOVE twins. Recently I installed FCS plugs on a twin to make it a Twinzer and it’s faster, more drivey and much better backside! Highly recommend doing that.
I am sold on the idea of the Twinzer. My friend was into them 6 or 7 years ago, Lately I have been using quad sets with larger rears and close boxes. It is a great feeling. I need to order a Twinzer from somewhere!
@ I followed Stu Kensons recommendations regarding tow and cant of the canards and it was right on. I bought the canards from NVS. I see no downside to twinzers so from now on ALL of my twins will have plugs for canards.
You have to do a sequel to this review about Fins . The range from keels to uprights is so much wider than thruster fins . And can effect how and what waves you ride a lot more
Which type of twin fin is best for me ? All of them. It's been small for so long I have even messed around riding my Paddilac as a twinnie and its been a pleasant surprise.
I love this comment! Correct answer hahaha. I love trying unusual fin configurations to get different feels. one of my early videos on this channel was putting keels on a sweet spot and it was very playful in small sloppy conditions.
Hi! Amazing review (same the other reviews), thanks. Could you please (help me please) explain a bit more on the following statement: "Traditional fish is hard on the knees and back (1:39min)"? I had surgery in both knees (10/2022) and in March 2024 I had my lower back instrumented (metal implants), per my conversation with the Doctor I can go back to surf. I was thinking on a fish looking for a more relax type of surf, however now I have doubts; I had them before but the biggest advice I got before was just stay away from EPS. How about a pure twin? is it gentle on the body? Like the one you suggested in minute 3:50 I am just a regular human trying to enjoy from the ocean and surf as much a possible. Thank you Mate!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the support. I have Osteo Arthritis so it can be a little harder to move around than for highly mobile shredders. I always remember something I read on the VOUCH website about the VISH model - "Let’s not forget the fish was spawned from a kneeboard so wants to be ridden as short as possible to really get the feeling it’s supposed to have. It will wreck your back and may even wreck your surfing, but as long as you’re having fun who cares right?" and I have found the shorter the board the more it pitches front to back. It loves a more nimble / balanced surfer compared to the more forgiving an stable mid-lengths. If you go with a short fish you will need more bending and spring to get into the stance. The board at the 3:50 mark is much cruisier and more forgiving. You have more time to stand and a longer more balanced platform to work with. The Mid Twins are even more forgiving. See if you can try one first. Have fun! "
@@blinksurf Hello Mate... I truly appreciate the knowledge sharing... Thank you!!!! I am definitely targeting a round tail twin, however before moving forward I have two more questions since you really know the topic: The myth: how will this round twin surf backside? I read and heard comments that twins when going backside are difficult to dominate. Where I leave and surf the majority of the good waves are lefts and I am regular stand. I do really enjoy surfing backside... actually I do enjoy surf anything. Board size: I am 5'8 (175cm) and 171pds (78kgs) 48 years young. How about something like the "a mano Twin Pin but in 6'4?. A volume calculator will say 32.5, however in the recent years I always add 3 to 4 lts more and not afraid to add more if necessary. Bigger waves 8ft -Hollow waves (reef point breaks) / -fat waves up to 10ft ---> average can be 3 to 4 feet and surf once every two weeks. Thank you again for you valuable thoughts and knowledge. Have a great weekend.
@@TheBajador I surf backside because I am Goofy footed and Noosa has a lot of right handers. Amano has a pulled-in tail and handles it just fine. I have learned a lot more about using my rail since surfing here so boards with thinner rails (Knifey) have an easier time on the backhand. That sizing would be very good for you. Mine was made extra thick, usually they are a little thinner and that would be ok for your weight. Chat to Simon there he will sort you out.
@@TheBajador Hey! Great to hear you guys chatting through some board design here and sharing notes. James is pretty dialled in on a lot of these feelings so is definitely going down the right track. The typical limitations I see for a twin fin backside are usually around lots of tail width, like a fish design. This can can feel more cumbersome on the heel side when bottom turning due to a lot of extra foam in behind your heel and less sensitivity. The other possibility can be that a lack of fin surface area which doesn’t provide enough hold when leaning into a backhand bottom turn, resulting in sliding out. Due to the difference between forehand and backhand surfing this is a less common experience on a surfers forehand. The Twin Pin that I shape is specifically designed to avoid both of these common downsides of a twin fin. With a narrower tail behind the back foot, and to be paired with a hybrid “performance keel” fin which has plenty of hold in critical situations. This board is designed to have the inherent speed that everyone loves about a twin fin while removing these common downsides of other twin fin to make the board versatile in a large variety of waves chest high to well overhead. I hope this make sense and is helpful for you. If you ever got any more questions please feel free to get in touch via social media @amanosurf or email hello@amanosurf.com Happy surfing!
I'd be going into small surface area uprights to make a twin loose. Like Akila Aipa twins. This video shows a few uprights th-cam.com/video/em4f3DtEyEg/w-d-xo.html
yes I had a Black and enjoyed it. It was slightly small for me so I sold it. Have ridden BB twin and it is great. Not ridden the red but I imagine it is probably a sweet board. I got a similar feeling to the Black B when riding the Fish I bought in this video which felt to be the same shape and bottom contour (also EPS) th-cam.com/video/PBaDfHkoZWE/w-d-xo.html
I think they look beautiful. True Ames make high quality fins. The Ryan Burch twins are smallish in area so they would suit a medium sized person, channels, good waves or a pulled in tail. Thats just my guess.
I have never ridden the Sunday. I didn't get it because I didn't want that centre fin box. They look better with the twin only version now but I have a lot of mid-twins. I hear they are quite good boards from people who ride them. The thunderbolt red version looks pretty sweet but for that money you can get any custom you want from other shapers.
I noticed you also have some single fin / 2+1 boards in your quiver. In other content you have made you have raved about boards like the Vouch Nuevo What is your position on twins vs single/2+1 and how they compare for you?
that would make a great video. In short, the Nuevo is the #1 fastest single (plus sidebites) I've ridden. Its the third fastest ever all of types. I rate it. Craftsmanship, performance and design its a top pick. The difference when you surf that versus a twin is how much hold the centre fin provides. It has F1 style stick in a wave.
@@blinksurf your content is awesome. Such detailed analysis. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge I ride all mids, and all round / pin tails. Twins and 2+1 Love this world
@@blinksurf Check out the Rusty Bali single, and, check out Slaters surfing on a similar design (wing swallow single fin) in the 2022 Maldives single fin contest
MR's first twin fins weren't those Brewer style twin fins he rode after he switched from Apia's stingers. MR's dad Ray was the Newcastle distributor for McCoy Surfboards. MR rode Geoff's twin fins during the early '70s twin fin craze as a younger teenager. There is some interesting footage out there of MR on one of Geoff's boards at Angourie which shows MR's developing seagull style. Geoff's twin fins were also ridden by Mark Warren, Col Smith, Grant Oliver and many others.
Twin fins ? Why ? Loosy goosey? Like not feeling the turn ? Test road twin fins 70’s . Nah ! Too loose . Tri fins came next , Tri fin grabs the water much better . Never wanted to tri another .
I remember seeing Stuart Campbell many times absolutely shredding sunshine beach as a kid 25 years ago. Now as a shaper his boards look insanely good. I'm not in Aus anymore but if I was he'd be my top pick for boards. I always look for a good shaper that surfs well and can test and refine their own concepts.
Three generations of surfing ability there. Stu and Ryan rip and the boards work very well in the local conditions (and the Maldives).
Yep Defo love to see a vid on 6’6 to 6’8 Twin Pins
thank you! I'm keen to do that
I've never seen a video where I wanted so many boards!
oh cool!!
Get a Stacey Ohlson Twin. Honestly my favourite mid performance twin to date .... Goes in ankle snappers to as big as you are prepared to paddle ... Agree with your rounded pin twin verdict 🎉
they look good. Thank you for sharing that similar experience.
Got a Takeda. Love it. Yoshi’s cool.
so true!
Ridden countless mids and my non-negotiable two faves for the quiver are:
Gutless waves for beach breaks and sandies= machado Sunday 6’8 in volcanic (thunderbolt best but hard to find) with more of a raked fin (Al merrick keel)
Best for waves that are more critical/more swell and point/reef= 6’6 Almond surfboards Pleasant Pheasant with their fins you get w purchase of the Board.
RUNNER UP: Album darkness 6’11. You need a good wave for it to really show its true colors so although it’s the smoothest board, you’re only going to be able to ride it a handful of times a year. The other two are enough to keep you in the water all year.
I appreciate this so much. I like the volcanic over the LFT for sure and the Thunderbolt looks even better. That Almond looks amazing. I have an Album Lucent and it might be a little similar to that Darkness of yours. So smooth.
@ hundo p my man! Always happy to talk shop.
The lucent is sick. A friend has the ap version so just a bit shorter and chunkier but small enough at 6’2 to fit in the pocket at a beachy.
@@user-eg7nj1is7l Mine is 6 10 but about the same volume as my 6 6 rounded pins. Its a good paddler and smooth as silk on the face.
@user-eg7nj1is7l So do you choose the Sunday over the Seaside and beyond? I'm asking cause I'm looking for a mid length. I hear mixed stories about the Sunday but everybody seems to praise the SnB.
@@leighrosendahl2734 I did choose the seaside and beyond over the sunday. Mine was LFT and I creased it so It was not long lasting for me. I would only get Volcanic If I got another one (I wont).
I LOVE twins. Recently I installed FCS plugs on a twin to make it a Twinzer and it’s faster, more drivey and much better backside! Highly recommend doing that.
I am sold on the idea of the Twinzer. My friend was into them 6 or 7 years ago, Lately I have been using quad sets with larger rears and close boxes. It is a great feeling. I need to order a Twinzer from somewhere!
@ I followed Stu Kensons recommendations regarding tow and cant of the canards and it was right on. I bought the canards from NVS. I see no downside to twinzers so from now on ALL of my twins will have plugs for canards.
@@joeblow1942 NVS fins are epic. Thank you for this share. I'll be getting a Twinzer.
You have to do a sequel to this review about Fins . The range from keels to uprights is so much wider than thruster fins . And can effect how and what waves you ride a lot more
You are right. I have a few fin videos please check th-cam.com/video/em4f3DtEyEg/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/7gvi2X6r48g/w-d-xo.html enjoy!
Which type of twin fin is best for me ? All of them. It's been small for so long I have even messed around riding my Paddilac as a twinnie and its been a pleasant surprise.
I love this comment! Correct answer hahaha. I love trying unusual fin configurations to get different feels. one of my early videos on this channel was putting keels on a sweet spot and it was very playful in small sloppy conditions.
I remember using up surfboards. Those boards need some using
yes!!!! Everyone of them gets surfed!
Hi!
Amazing review (same the other reviews), thanks.
Could you please (help me please) explain a bit more on the following statement: "Traditional fish is hard on the knees and back (1:39min)"?
I had surgery in both knees (10/2022) and in March 2024 I had my lower back instrumented (metal implants), per my conversation with the Doctor I can go back to surf.
I was thinking on a fish looking for a more relax type of surf, however now I have doubts; I had them before but the biggest advice I got before was just stay away from EPS.
How about a pure twin? is it gentle on the body? Like the one you suggested in minute 3:50
I am just a regular human trying to enjoy from the ocean and surf as much a possible.
Thank you Mate!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the support. I have Osteo Arthritis so it can be a little harder to move around than for highly mobile shredders. I always remember something I read on the VOUCH website about the VISH model - "Let’s not forget the fish was spawned from a kneeboard so wants to be ridden as short as possible to really get the feeling it’s supposed to have. It will wreck your back and may even wreck your surfing, but as long as you’re having fun who cares right?" and I have found the shorter the board the more it pitches front to back. It loves a more nimble / balanced surfer compared to the more forgiving an stable mid-lengths. If you go with a short fish you will need more bending and spring to get into the stance. The board at the 3:50 mark is much cruisier and more forgiving. You have more time to stand and a longer more balanced platform to work with. The Mid Twins are even more forgiving. See if you can try one first. Have fun!
"
@@blinksurf Hello Mate... I truly appreciate the knowledge sharing... Thank you!!!!
I am definitely targeting a round tail twin, however before moving forward I have two more questions since you really know the topic:
The myth: how will this round twin surf backside? I read and heard comments that twins when going backside are difficult to dominate. Where I leave and surf the majority of the good waves are lefts and I am regular stand. I do really enjoy surfing backside... actually I do enjoy surf anything.
Board size: I am 5'8 (175cm) and 171pds (78kgs) 48 years young. How about something like the "a mano Twin Pin but in 6'4?. A volume calculator will say 32.5, however in the recent years I always add 3 to 4 lts more and not afraid to add more if necessary.
Bigger waves 8ft -Hollow waves (reef point breaks) / -fat waves up to 10ft ---> average can be 3 to 4 feet and surf once every two weeks.
Thank you again for you valuable thoughts and knowledge.
Have a great weekend.
@@TheBajador I surf backside because I am Goofy footed and Noosa has a lot of right handers. Amano has a pulled-in tail and handles it just fine. I have learned a lot more about using my rail since surfing here so boards with thinner rails (Knifey) have an easier time on the backhand. That sizing would be very good for you. Mine was made extra thick, usually they are a little thinner and that would be ok for your weight. Chat to Simon there he will sort you out.
@@TheBajador Hey! Great to hear you guys chatting through some board design here and sharing notes. James is pretty dialled in on a lot of these feelings so is definitely going down the right track.
The typical limitations I see for a twin fin backside are usually around lots of tail width, like a fish design. This can can feel more cumbersome on the heel side when bottom turning due to a lot of extra foam in behind your heel and less sensitivity.
The other possibility can be that a lack of fin surface area which doesn’t provide enough hold when leaning into a backhand bottom turn, resulting in sliding out. Due to the difference between forehand and backhand surfing this is a less common experience on a surfers forehand.
The Twin Pin that I shape is specifically designed to avoid both of these common downsides of a twin fin. With a narrower tail behind the back foot, and to be paired with a hybrid “performance keel” fin which has plenty of hold in critical situations. This board is designed to have the inherent speed that everyone loves about a twin fin while removing these common downsides of other twin fin to make the board versatile in a large variety of waves chest high to well overhead.
I hope this make sense and is helpful for you. If you ever got any more questions please feel free to get in touch via social media @amanosurf or email hello@amanosurf.com
Happy surfing!
@@blinksurf Again Thank You so much!!!!
Excellent video.
Thanks for watching!
Great video🙏🤙
Thank you
With a wide tail, long rail line and thick, how would you loosen up a big guy twin fish? 6'6- 7 footers. Swap to thruster side fins?
Replace the keel fins with twin upright fins ... Power Twin in FCS or EN in Futures ... They are what I and various friends use
I'd be going into small surface area uprights to make a twin loose. Like Akila Aipa twins. This video shows a few uprights th-cam.com/video/em4f3DtEyEg/w-d-xo.html
@@blinksurf Talked to Futures and the Daniel Jones twins definitely look promising
@@mjchargerSD they look like they will do what you want. Smaller surface area uprights :)
what is that first fish you show before the MR? who's the shaper/manufacturer?
Album Sunstone
@@blinksurf thank you!
ever been on a js black or red baron? or their big baron twin pin?
yes I had a Black and enjoyed it. It was slightly small for me so I sold it. Have ridden BB twin and it is great. Not ridden the red but I imagine it is probably a sweet board. I got a similar feeling to the Black B when riding the Fish I bought in this video which felt to be the same shape and bottom contour (also EPS) th-cam.com/video/PBaDfHkoZWE/w-d-xo.html
Dims please of the custom Album Moonstone you said was the fastest board you've surfed?
LENGTH = 8 2 WIDTH = 21 1/2 THICK = 2 7/8 VOLUME = 56 L? Nose 12 = 14 inches Nose 24 = 19 inches Tail 24 = 17 3/4 inches Tail 12 = 14 1/2 inches tail to box = 12 inches width box apart side to side = 11 1/4 inches Diamond Tail with channels.
I'd like to know the 66 to 68 twins~ please
thanks Im going to make that one! I appreciate the encouragement
what do you think about True Ames Ryan Burch's twins?
I think they look beautiful. True Ames make high quality fins. The Ryan Burch twins are smallish in area so they would suit a medium sized person, channels, good waves or a pulled in tail. Thats just my guess.
@@blinksurf Thanks mate...
Is that granite ? @11:50
yes
Can you please show us viewers, some footage of you surfing these boards?
I'm in some of the clips. Would love to have more.
Have you ever tried the Sunday from Machado? And do you like it?
I have never ridden the Sunday. I didn't get it because I didn't want that centre fin box. They look better with the twin only version now but I have a lot of mid-twins. I hear they are quite good boards from people who ride them. The thunderbolt red version looks pretty sweet but for that money you can get any custom you want from other shapers.
I noticed you also have some single fin / 2+1 boards in your quiver. In other content you have made you have raved about boards like the Vouch Nuevo
What is your position on twins vs single/2+1 and how they compare for you?
that would make a great video. In short, the Nuevo is the #1 fastest single (plus sidebites) I've ridden. Its the third fastest ever all of types. I rate it. Craftsmanship, performance and design its a top pick. The difference when you surf that versus a twin is how much hold the centre fin provides. It has F1 style stick in a wave.
@@blinksurf your content is awesome. Such detailed analysis. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge
I ride all mids, and all round / pin tails. Twins and 2+1
Love this world
I really appreciate the support. Thank you. Well worth documenting to share with other surfers who vibe
Do an HPSB single fin investigation.
thanks, a good idea. I would need to try a few boards because my singles start at 6 10 and up
@@blinksurf Check out the Rusty Bali single, and, check out Slaters surfing on a similar design (wing swallow single fin) in the 2022 Maldives single fin contest
those Maldives single fin contests look amazing. I like the look of the Jim Banks single fin with flyer too
MR's first twin fins weren't those Brewer style twin fins he rode after he switched from Apia's stingers. MR's dad Ray was the Newcastle distributor for McCoy Surfboards. MR rode Geoff's twin fins during the early '70s twin fin craze as a younger teenager. There is some interesting footage out there of MR on one of Geoff's boards at Angourie which shows MR's developing seagull style. Geoff's twin fins were also ridden by Mark Warren, Col Smith, Grant Oliver and many others.
thats so cool!!!! Thank you for sharing this. McCoy contributed a lot to the history of surfing.
I really can't understand why people own more than 3 boards.
Some people have deeper levels of desire.
@blinksurf it's my opinion that have many boards is always bringing the wrong board. You can only ride one at a time., 😉
@@Hotwire_RCTrix I suspect you are correct.
Twin fins ? Why ? Loosy goosey? Like not feeling the turn ? Test road twin fins 70’s . Nah ! Too loose . Tri fins came next , Tri fin grabs the water much better . Never wanted to tri another .
plenty has changed since the 70's - that being said, whatever makes you happy is more important. Tri-fins bore me.