Atlantic POD review

Just got an email from Nigel on his Isle of Wight 6'4" Atlantic POD...

"Hi Tim - in short i totally dig the pod. I rigged it up with a 6.5 True Ames bonzer fin for the sessions in Woolacombe when it got big...plenty big enough for me...on take off it took me straight up on a high line and kinda kept me there, giving me the option of dropping down to the trough  (if i had the balls). I've yet to surf it in smaller stuff, but its time will come. She's surely a keeper/long term board. Possibly a bit heavier than I'm used to, but i did ask for it to be unbreakable :0)

Peace, Nige

PS I would recomend one to anyone who can paddle a board!"

Thanks Nige...

Atlantic POD

   

Isle of Wight Atlantic POD EVO5/6 bonzer for Nige

This Atlantic POD was designed specifically for Nige's home breaks around the Isle of Wight. A little less entry rocker, a little more foam through the tail for glide and a little more in the nose for easy wave entry. Vortex channels under front foot to keep it lively (for such a wide board) blending into bonzer concaves. EVO6 set up for the beachy days and then switch to the EVO5 for when the points and reefs start firing. Throw in a set of CRT rear side fins and it is an incredibly flexible board to take on the wide variety the Island has to offer.

6’4” custom Atlantic POD - EVO bonzer

    

Roman kelp tint EVO5 bonzer

 

Light kelp resin tint on this Atlantic POD for Roma… some serious pin lines to follow shortly.

Atlantic POD with twin-CRV symmetrical foil rears

Had the Atlantic POD EVO6 bonzer out in some fun surf the other day and it flies. Waves were overhead and clean with almost no wind… some lovely peaks with long rides and plenty of wall. The board has really quick wave entry with the fins offering low drag and heaps of drive off the bottom. Faded bottom turns no problem with excellent hold; cutbacks kept a decent amount of speed through the turn. These fins seem to be really neutral handling, predictable and have a great balance between drive and hold.

Rode them another day at another spot, a little more hollow and quick and the fins were equally good but perhaps a little less control in the steeper stuff. A conventional shape would have offered a little more control and less drive – which would have worked well on that day as the board was outrunning the curl a bit too easily.

More reviews on the other set-ups when the surf comes back.

SOLD: Atlantic POD bonzer EVO5/6 – your flexible friend

Traditional bonzer EVO5 set-up:

For those who love the pivot and smooth rail to rail transition of the traditional bonzer set up. EVO5 features changes to the bonzer side fins for additional drive in slower lower energy waves typically found in the UK.  This set up is well suited to any size surf and will deliver the typical bonzer experience.

EVO6 bonzer set-up:

This is ideal for beach breaks where you want to get immediate drive mid face to get going down the line. Using FCS MR side fins to replace the single fin there is heaps of drive and hold. Suited to power surfers and those who like plenty of fin to push against.

 

Arc EVO6 bonzer for smaller waves:

This fin allows more easy rail to rail transitions than a conventional fins. The curved profiles have less resistance to go from rail to rail, and therefore it feels more like a single fin bonzer, but with the extra initial drive of the twin rear fins. Ideally suited to smaller, slower waves as the fins offer less resistance to turn.

ARC2 EVO6 bonzer for smaller waves:

Want the lower resistance but with increased stability, this set up utilises 2 of the rear G-CRV fins, providing a stable but more pivotal experience than the standard EVO6 set-up. Great in more hollow waves for late drops into the barrel and subtle adjustments in the pocket.

 

Other set-ups:

It really is a matter of personal taste and everyone who has ridden these boards tends to have a different favourite. Try using 2 symmetrical FCS G5 rears for easier turning than the conventional set up. Use Quad asymmetrical foil sides as your rears for more drive. That really is the beauty, experiment and find your favourite. What is proven is that by splitting the rear bonzer single fin effectively in two, and placing them out to the rails the board responds more quickly in terms of drive and that this makes them much more usable in fast beach breaks where you don’t always have the luxury of starting off with a nice bottom turn.

Atlantic POD bonzer EVO5/6

6’6” x 20 7/8” x 2 7/8” 

This board was inspired by my original POD from Malcolm Campbell. It is designed with an even gentle rocker, thoroughly modern rails, and a slightly narrower nose for easy duckdiving. Plenty of float and a forgiving plan-shape mean this board should be really user friendly and give a good wave count. It comes with a single fin box for the EVO5 set up and with FCS plugs for the EVO6 for maximum flexibility across a massive wave range. This should be great fun on the small days, and a stable confidence booster on the bigger ones. The fin set up is so flexible that it takes some explaining, so I'll do another post, another day…

  

Atlantic POD EVO5/6 bonzer gets finned…

Running this Atlantic POD as an EVO5 bonzer with a traditional centre or the new EVO6 bonzer set up using a nice pair of symmetrical G5 rears. Should be getting wet next week so watch this space for first impressions.