Early 2009…time for more board tests ! We just tested the VS Rawlins Model – PE + stringer – crescent tail – size 41 – Test conditions: in 12 to 14°C waters. (about 53 to 57°F). Shorey waves from 3 to 5 feet, glassy and hollow. One of the best sessions we’ve had for board tests so far !
Read more about the board in this test.
Dimensions (approx.) : 41 x 11.25 x 20.5 x 17.5
We were lucky to test ride the Rawlins VS board in good fast and hollow waves and really had the chance to fully test the board. The VS Rawlins 41 PE board has a narrow and straight template that is fast and responsive. The PE felt great in colder waters and had the perfect flex to stick to the face of the waves on late take offs and scoop under the lip. It rides great in barrels and althought PE boards are not as fast as PP boards and have less buoyancy the VS Rawlins board was perfect for the 3 to 5 feet shorey waves we surfed. The crescent tail and channels worked like a charm in that type of waves. Waves were hollow and fast and the board held super good in the curl and was easy to drive in the barrels. However the VS Rawlins straight template felt like it wasnt very suited for large carves and cut backs and large bottom turns and deep carves. It’s mostly take off and scoop under the lip kinda board.
Its small template made it easy to manoeuver the board under the lip, on the lip and off the lip. Easy to spin and hit the lip. Watchout though because narrow boards are easy to hold but hard to land on because you need to land perfectly centered on the board if you dont want to burry a rail or dive nose first after landing.
PE is confortable and definitely suited for colder waters, hollow shorey waves or slabs. They lack of speed but if the waves are good and powerful then it’s fine. For smaller waves under 3 feet we would suggest to use a bigger PE board or a PP board for better buoyancy, or maybe the smae board but wider. Warmer waters will make the PE boards softer and more flexy… it’s up to you if you’d rather use a PE or PP board then. PE will crease or get older faster in warm waters but it’s got a good flex right away. PP boards tend to be a little too stiff at the beginning.
VS boards are made in indo by Mez and his team, with the same materials and quality as NMD, SCIENCE, PRIDE etc. Definitely good stuff and solid materials. The Rawlins model is designed by Jarrod Gibson and then duplicated and made by Mez and his team at the indo factory.
The VS Rawlins PE model is available in 38, 40, 41, 42, 43 but also in PP, with or without a bat tail. Also available with contour decks.
