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Poobah Dolphin Glider
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Joined: 09 Jan 2004 Posts: 696 Location: California, San Diego
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:26 pm Post subject: Body Guns |
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Lumpy....Jon...Swordie....do you ever see these Body Guns being ridden over there?
http://www.bodygun.co.uk/ |
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Jon Davey
Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: Location: Cornwall, U.K
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Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:42 am Post subject: |
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They're only made a few miles up the road from me but I've never seen one in the water. I believe they featured on a national T.V show called 'Tomorrow's World' a year or so ago. Have you seen the T-Board at www.everwave.biz ? An interesting concept and one which should be in your plastic section. |
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Jon Davey
Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: Location: Cornwall, U.K
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Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:43 am Post subject: |
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They're only made a few miles up the road from me but I've never seen one in the water. I believe they featured on a national T.V show called 'Tomorrow's World' a year or so ago. Have you seen the T-Board at www.everwave.biz ? An interesting concept and one which should be in your plastic section. |
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Nels Dolphin Glider
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 340 Location: Ventura County, California
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Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:53 am Post subject: |
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Jay Reale tried one in South Africa many years ago. I think that is where it was invented. From what he wrote me he sounded less than enthusiastic, although from the link you posted it sounds like it has been redesigned somewhat (same photo though). If memory serves his feeling was it wasn't as good as a bodyboard, and not as good as bodysurfing; sort of a hybrid with similar standup observations about being the worst of both worlds. That doesn't mean the design and concept aren't valid or worth persuing.
Toobs up in Morro Bay, CA, used to make Body Guns, perhaps even for the UK manufacturer, or at least under some liscense. Again, this goes back some years so some details might be off a bit. I didn't have time to go through the whole website so maybe some of this is in there.
I still think the concept is interesting, though. The whole "hands free" approach is on the free flight track I sometimes still dream about. I get seconds of it bodysurfing, but it isn't sustained. Closest thing is one of Dale's mats with the non-skid coating. Would still need to hold on if I was going upside down, but that isn't where the surfmat fun is anyway. |
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Nels Dolphin Glider
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 340 Location: Ventura County, California
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Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:57 am Post subject: |
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Forgot this notion, probably boring old hat to Dale certainly from me:
An inflatable attached by either glue or velcro to the chest of a wetsuit, custom to rider size/weight/dimensions, waist to neck length. total arm freedom, unheard of float with the surfmat benefits. |
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John Mellor
Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 11:39 am Post subject: |
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I do remember a spoof ad from a magazine that showed a guy wearing a shorty wetsuit that was all rigged up with bonzer-like fins attached to the thighs, maybe a planing breastplate(?) and other fin-like appendages. Like I said, it was presented as a spoof but I thought it made sense... no added flotation as I remember but the attached inflatable sounds like a good idea. |
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Nels Dolphin Glider
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 340 Location: Ventura County, California
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Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | I do remember a spoof ad from a magazine that showed a guy wearing a shorty wetsuit that was all rigged up with bonzer-like fins attached to the thighs, maybe a planing breastplate(?) and other fin-like appendages. Like I said, it was presented as a spoof but I thought it made sense... no added flotation as I remember but the attached inflatable sounds like a good idea. |
I guess we can figure most anything a contempo/cutting edge surf magazine spoofs probably has some automatic merit. Attached hard fins spook me, but the idea of "speed beads" on bodywear might be worth looking into. The next homegrown paipo I make will have one down the middle to investigate breaking the spray for less drag. Don't see why one wouldn't work on a wetsuit unless the flexibility required would totally negate potential value.
I think Dale mentioned to me once that a possible downside of an attached inflatable would come when trying to swim out. I would think a fill valve like they used to have on those old O'Neill inflaltable drysuit (wetsuits?) would work if you could fill/vent quickly. |
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Poobah Dolphin Glider
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Joined: 09 Jan 2004 Posts: 696 Location: California, San Diego
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2004 12:19 am Post subject: Body Gun |
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![Surprised](images/smiles/icon_surprised.gif) |
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John Mellor
Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: Location: Los Osos, CA
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Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2004 11:10 am Post subject: bodysurfing suit... |
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Larry -
That's almost exactly like the one I saw except for the side fins sticking out the side. I still think it looks pretty good! |
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