Some Quivers For Keramas

Jordy preps extensive quiv. The Oakley Pro, Bali is the veritable Golden Goose of the 2013 Tour. The top 34 have converged on one of the world’s most high-performance right reefs. Title runners have started to take shape. Two of the most obvious men are Kelly Slater and Jordy Smith, the former of whom is almost as synonymous with Channel Islands surfboards as he is with Quiksilver, and the latter of whom has just jumped fulltime to Merrick creations. Also on the CI roster in this event are Sea Bass, Nat Young and Yades Nicol, among others. Ever curious about the fibreglass choices made by the 34, Stab had Channel Island’s Trav Lee dial us in on what those from his camp are riding. Jordy Smith “Jordy ordered five modified Rookie wide tails for Keramas,” Trav enlightens. “All of them are similar to the board he won (the Billabong Pro,) Rio on.” All boards are 6’2″ x 19 1/4″ x 2 1/2″, all squash tails, all with Future fins and “enough flip in the tail” to get him flying. Kelly Slater “Kelly rides similar boards throughout the year,” says Trav. “With his knowledge, he’s able to take a board that works well in small waves and give it speed, or hold for better waves, just by manipulating his fins.” Featuring in Kelly’s arsenal are a couple of rounded pin Fred Rubbles (5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ and 5’8″ x 18 1/2″ x 2 5/16″), a 5’9″ DFR quash tail, a 5’6″ Weirdo Ripper and the 5’9″ Lips he won the Quiksilver Pro, Snapper on. Yadin’s collection of resin tints. Yadin Nicol Yadin’s got a secret weapon for Bali – it’s called the RXR. “I sensed a bit of excitement in his voice the other day after he tried it out,” Travis notes. In addition to his 5’10” x 18 5/8″ x 2 5/16″ RXR, Yadin has a couple of DFRs and Cheese Sticks (measuring 5’11” x 18 1/2″ x 2 1/4″) to bolster his quiver. Sea Bass According to Trav, Sea Bass will be straddling all squash tails at Keramas, all variants of a magic DFR he rode during his qualifying year. Trav says he ordered two 6’0″ x 18 5/8″ x 2 5/16″ DFR thrusters, and one 5’11” x 18 5/8″ x 2 5/16″. Nat Young “Nat has chosen to stick with his magic Rookies and a DFR (dimensions 5’11” x 18 1/2″ x 2 1/4″),” says Trav. “I can’t wait to watch his vertical backside attack out there.” – Rupert Partridge