Such a brilliant thread.
Thanks Nozza for partaking in the entertainment and letting us share a little of your love of all thinks custom built.
The Board looks spectacular, damn you'll curse loudly the first time you ding it.
Hope we get a follow up, when it's wet.
Select to expand quoteHelmy said..
No posts for today, so I'll put one out there :
Given that we all (try to) surf our 12'6" raceboards, with varying levels of success, and generally with (understandably) poor levels of acceptance from other surfers, will "The Nozza" be a turning point for us?
Will we all be adding "Nozza's" to our already hefty quivers, or perhaps even ditching the 12'6" raceboards in favour of "The Nozza"?
Will "The Nozza" take a piece out of the (significant) 10'6" market?
Will Nozza go down in SUP-surfing history as The Man who popularised The Search into the SUP mainstream?
(Sorry Bert, Casso...)
Have at it...
I'm thinking "The Nozza" should be an event rather than just a board. Maybe more than an event, it's a whole SUP/Surf carnival. I see a competition in two parts - longboard SUP surf comp followed by a SUP surf race - two win, you need to combine your points from both events and the kicker is, you have to use the same board in both the surf comp and the race.
Select to expand quoteNozza said..Helmy said..
No posts for today, so I'll put one out there :
Given that we all (try to) surf our 12'6" raceboards, with varying levels of success, and generally with (understandably) poor levels of acceptance from other surfers, will "The Nozza" be a turning point for us?
Will we all be adding "Nozza's" to our already hefty quivers, or perhaps even ditching the 12'6" raceboards in favour of "The Nozza"?
Will "The Nozza" take a piece out of the (significant) 10'6" market?
Will Nozza go down in SUP-surfing history as The Man who popularised The Search into the SUP mainstream?
(Sorry Bert, Casso...)
Have at it...
Hmmm, don't think I'll be going down in SUP-surfing history for anything apart from arriving at my destination with less boards than I left home with.
But seriously........ Maybe.
"Given that we all (try to) surf our 12'6" raceboards...."
Very different board to a 12'6" race board.
Based on my 12' PSH Gun and my 12'6" SIC Bullet.
The 12' board feels half the volume of the 12'6", is more manoeuvrable, but a lot slower to flat water paddle.
On the 12'6" I am standing high, high volume rails, quite easily driven.
The 12' I have water washing around my feet (may be the fault of 100 odd kg of Nozza rather than the board), but easier to sink and turn.
A standard 5km course is probably close to an hour rather than 40 minutes, at my usual "I'm not in a hurry" pace.
I have deliberately spent all this year on nothing apart from the 12' Gun and the 12' Horizon, to prepare for the smaller Search, and have to admit to liking the smaller, non race board. I'm never going to race anyone, and I think it has given me a more relaxed, "fun" attitude to paddling rather than trying to force 17' unlimiteds upwind in to 20 knots for a nice ride home.
Mind you, between surgery, total paddling time this year seems to be about 2 weeks total.
But if you're never going to race, why have a raceboard?
"......poor levels of acceptance from other surfers, will "The Nozza" be a turning point for us?"
It's still going to be a lot of board to control, and I would not take it anywhere crowded.
Given my dislike of crowds, and my definition of "crowds" as anyone apart from me and Helmy, and possibly Hugo, this should not be a problem. River mouth, small point break, "2 ft. and pumping", "double overknee" will be what I use it for.
And those are the only conditions I will attempt to surf anything in anyway.
"Will we all be adding "Nozza's" to our already hefty quivers?....."
Will a board that appeals to a somewhat eccentric loner with questionable social skills appeal to a wider audience?
I doubt it.
If you want to paddle a couple of km to an unused point break, try and surf, and paddle back,.
Yes.
And after Merimbula last year, having a variety of boards to play on, plus a useable windsurf option became the key to fun.
So maybe.
It is also meant to be the elusive "one board quiver" board - flat water, windsurf, surf.
Fun.
"Will "The Nozza" take a piece out of the (significant) 10'6" market?"
Over the last few years, after the airborne exit of the 10'6" Fly, admittedly with too few surf attempts, I have gone to 10'6" Nalu, 11' Nalu. 11'6" Tom Carroll, 12 ' PSH (soon to be Search) .I have felt progressively more comfortable on each board as a now 56 year old beginner kook.
I am likely to try to go more on the bigger boards.
You have to admit you are never going to "rip", "carve it up" or whatever. A man has got to be aware of his limitations. (Who said that?)
If it paddles better, and surfs as well as a 10'6", maybe.
As well as my private point break, there is the break that cannot be named on the other side of Westernport it may be perfect for, 1.2 km paddle down, nice little point break, paddle back.
If Sunova can produce semi customs (how do I say this without causing offence?) of a high quality, in a proven shape, at a more than competitive price, why not?
No, take "IF" out of that sentence.
Maybe.
"Will Nozza go down in SUP-surfing history as The Man who popularised The Search into the SUP mainstream?
(Sorry Bert, Casso...)"
Ah, back to the original question.
Possibly if we put up videos of Casso rather than me.
And I think it is a case of "I've just invented this round thing. I think I might call it a wheel"
and mainstream and me don't really mix.
But 6 pages on a board Nozza ordered in Merimbula????
Maybe....
One of the best posts on the Seabreeze forum. Well done
Sir Nozza (aka Sunozza)
Select to expand quoteWaveScience said..Helmy said..
No posts for today, so I'll put one out there :
Given that we all (try to) surf our 12'6" raceboards, with varying levels of success, and generally with (understandably) poor levels of acceptance from other surfers, will "The Nozza" be a turning point for us?
Will we all be adding "Nozza's" to our already hefty quivers, or perhaps even ditching the 12'6" raceboards in favour of "The Nozza"?
Will "The Nozza" take a piece out of the (significant) 10'6" market?
Will Nozza go down in SUP-surfing history as The Man who popularised The Search into the SUP mainstream?
(Sorry Bert, Casso...)
Have at it...
I'm thinking "The Nozza" should be an event rather than just a board. Maybe more than an event, it's a whole SUP/Surf carnival. I see a competition in two parts - longboard SUP surf comp followed by a SUP surf race - two win, you need to combine your points from both events and the kicker is, you have to use the same board in both the surf comp and the race.
I think it will need to be in 3 parts, with the third involving beer....
Select to expand quotesupthecreek said..
Yes.... Beer.
Bert, surf and Beer go together with Sunozza's
Noz, need a photo of the refreshments cabinet at Dingley
Select to expand quoteHelmy said..supthecreek said..
Yes.... Beer.
Bert, surf and Beer go together with Sunozza's
Noz, need a photo of the refreshments cabinet at Dingley
Standards have slipped since I've been away - the thing is nearly empty....
And there's unauthorised substances in it.
Continued the journey north to Byron....
Weather took on a decidedly Victorian feel...
Except it was 28 outside, rather than 10.2.
The place is a bit wholemeal for me, but nice.
Arrived at the accommodation, squeezed the Kombi in no worries apart from a misunderstanding with The Wife One as to what "Make sure my boards not stuck in the trees" actually meant.
No damage.
Fitted the supplied fins.
Using the supplied fin key - no need to look under the bed Helmy.
Look pretty good.
Board resting on beer towels, look at that shine.
Beer resting on board.
Life is good!
Select to expand quotemoogengronko said..
you guys keep me going.
If only I had the cash....
Went looking for this reply to come back to.
Hope AA doesn't mind me saying, but this board cost the price listed on the website for a standard board, no more.
And I didn't haggle in any way, ask for any discount, just what transpired.
It "pays" to just talk to people....
Particularly people who bother to turn up with boards to a "Demmo" weekend, year after year, with no guarantee of sales , and share the stoke with people like me.
Went to local doctor in Byron Bay to get my wound checked yesterday.
He improved my mood by taking out the remaining stitches.
Still no getting it wet, or straining the wound, so no paddling still.
But he didn't say I wasn't allowed to take Nozza for a walk.
Wandered over the road with my camera.....
Nozza
I love it....you took your board out for a walk!!! Fantastic. This is an epic journey. Homer would be proud. Thanks for sharing.
Bob
Select to expand quoteNozza said..Helmy said..supthecreek said..
Yes.... Beer.
Bert, surf and Beer go together with Sunozza's
Noz, need a photo of the refreshments cabinet at Dingley
Standards have slipped since I've been away - the thing is nearly empty....
And there's unauthorised substances in it.
I have seen the boards & the van. Now I have seen the beer fridge. I want to be Nozza when I grow up! 
Select to expand quoteFRP said..
Nozza
I love it....you took your board out for a walk!!! Fantastic. This is an epic journey. Homer would be proud. Thanks for sharing.
Bob
Bob there is a song for this
Select to expand quoteARVY said..
I have seen the boards & the van. Now I have seen the beer fridge. I want to be Nozza when I grow up!
That's interesting, because I haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up.........
Found my "centreboard" fin in the Kombi the other afternoon, spent some time with a beer trying it out.
There was a mast base in there too, but I was smart enough to leave the rig in Melbourne.
Snug fit.
Box needs a bit of a light sand / clean out...
Arrived back in Melbourne tonight, see the surgeon in the morning, better get the all clear.
Doubt I will be allowed to Stand Up straight away, but getting in the water in any way possible is required.
Select to expand quoteWaveScience said..
I'm thinking "The Nozza" should be an event rather than just a board. Maybe more than an event, it's a whole SUP/Surf carnival. I see a competition in two parts - longboard SUP surf comp followed by a SUP surf race - two win, you need to combine your points from both events and the kicker is, you have to use the same board in both the surf comp and the race.
YES!!!!!
Back in Melbourne, all clear from the surgeon, time to paddle.
But first!
Railsaver and a deck pad.
In to the tent.
Iron Phil is waiting for a minor repair after I dropped him on concrete.
First railsaver, which I have done lots of now, but it is still high stress.
I use the wet method...
I also turn the board around and over to do the second side, so I'm not working with logos upside down.
Recipe for disaster there.
All of that took a lot longer than I expected, still need a deck pad.
I have decided to start with what I know, and do a full pad.
I know I can remove it without damage if I change my mind in the future.
First step make a pattern.
At this point I decided I wasn't going to get it done in time for a morning paddle.
Meant to take it easy anyway, so took my time.
Copying an SIC shaped pad.
More trimming required....
Every mans dream camping out with a couple of nice girls .
nice shape pad it will be .
you going for a back foot stopper ..? Or flat .
More trimming of the pattern.
The curve at the front I traced from the nose of the board.
I wanted to maintain width opposite the mast track, but needed to end it sooner.
Marked a couple of curves, did two reductions using a piece of punch strip as a batten.
Too involved in what I was doing, no photos.
Happy with the shape, traced the red to white colour change on to the pattern.
At this point assembled a big trestle table to work on.
Got a white deck pad out of stock, rather grimy from storage.
Marked the first bit of pad and cut.
Roughed out the handle, mast box, and vent.
Trial fit...
Doing white pad on the white, red pad on the red.
The white will get filthy, but I'll deal with that when it happens.
Using a matt cutter to cut the pad, vertical on one side, 45 degrees on the other.
It runs along a straight edge for the straight bits, freehanding the curves with the 45 degree cutter.
Main thing is to tape the patterns down, minimise movement.
Pad bits I have not long enough for a full board, second bit for the tail.
The straight cuts I marked on half a diamond on one side, the other side where it fell.
Red sides again straight on half a diamond.
Cut the straight bit that has to match the white first, then free handed the sides.
Trial fit....
All of this is only possible with a big table to work on, that you can cut through when cutting the pad...
Time to stick down.
This used to fill me with fear.
Slit the backing of the main pad down the middle....
Duct tape one side in position firmly, so the other side cannot move.
Peel back the untaped side, sticking progressively.
Hard to get the backing off at the vent, mast box, and handle.
Actually quite easy to line up, as the pad will distort.
But it's one try only - once down it is stuck.
Second side retrieve any scraps of backing left in the centre.
Not too bad...
Added the white tail piece the same way, red sides more freehand....
Got the look I wanted.
Up close, the curve at the front looks a bit like my dog chewed it for me.
Tail looks OK.
The cut out for the handle looks a bit like I chewed it myself.
Mast box and vent a bit off centre.
But the look I wanted.
Pushing to be ready for a paddle tomorrow, threaded a shock cord through the tie down points up front.
Flipped over, examined fins.
I'm sure it would be fine with the stock fins, but I have had some special ones delivered.
Main fin supplied was an 8" "Orca"
Nothing wrong with it, apart from I want a colour contrast centre fin....
I have Greenough 4A and 4C, both straighter.
Decided it was probably overfinned, went for a 7" 4C rather than a 9" 4A
Sides I am mystified by the Sunova sizings.
I have 3.25" and 3.7", the Sunovas are 85 or something.
Went for the 3.7" True Ames.
All fin choices based more on pleasing contrast colours than science....
Tomorrow a paddle....
Maybe................................
Sorry Tardy, meant to answer.
When I feel the lack of a tail pad is limiting me, I will add one.
So probably not soon.....
Select to expand quotesupthecreek said..
look at you...
a marvel for sure!!!!
Yyyyyeppppp!!!!!!!!!
What a fantastic job, properly thought out and applied.
This gets better...
Good luck with the first paddle outing, poss to have a few pics ?
Down to the Island early afternoon.
A bit breezy south west, but time for a paddle.
But first, need a camera mount....
Stick on mount, share the tether with the legrope.
Down to the beach, ready.
Flat / choppy water only.
Maybe venture to the surf tomorrow
Surprised by the rocker being very forward, rather than nose rocker
Got on, very unco after 3 months out of the water...
Nearly fell off straight away.
Felt unstable, alarming with water washing over my feet.
Settled down, best spot for standing seemed to be in front of the handle, opposite the mast box, volume higher forward.
Windier than it looks there, and choppy.
Back down chop for some surf stance practice.
Nozza almost surfed the wind chop.....
Almost feels more stable like that
Nice little paddle, realised I had forgotten the beer for the christening.
Back at the house, remedied that.
I might leave you all alone now....
