Album Surfboards Unveils the Twinzman: A Refined Approach to Speed and Maneuverability
A new wave of performance is hitting the water with Album Surfboards’ Twinzman. While many surfers first experienced Album through the widely popular Twinsman – a user-friendly yet highly responsive twin-fin – the Twinzman represents a distinct evolution. This isn’t merely a renaming; it’s a reimagining of hydrodynamic principles, designed to unlock a new level of speed and control for surfers of all abilities.
The Evolution of the Twinzer: From the 80s to Today
The foundation of the Twinzman lies in the twinzer fin setup, a concept originally pioneered by Will Jobson in the 1980s. This configuration utilizes four fins – two larger primary fins and two smaller ‘Canard’ fins positioned forward. According to Album’s head shaper, Matt Parker, the Canard fins are crucial for optimizing water flow. “That clears a bit of space for the big fin to do work on rail and driving and moving water without some of that turbulence,” Parker explains. “A lot of people feel like, even though there are technically four fins there, that twinzers actually feel looser but a little bit easier to maneuver and manipulate because there’s less delay or lag.”
Album Surfboards/YouTube
Recent testing with professional surfer Victor Bernardo has validated these claims. Bernardo pushed the Twinzman to its limits at challenging breaks like Rocky Point and the more playful waves of Lower Trestles. “You can take it in different waves, because it has a bit more curve,” Parker noted. “You can ride it as your shortboard, but it has a good low end, kind of like the Twinsman, where you can surf it in very average waves.”
Channeling Speed: The Secret Weapon of the Twinzman
Beyond the fin setup, a key differentiator between the Twinzman and its predecessor is the strategically placed channel running through the board’s tail. This channel isn’t merely aesthetic; it’s a performance enhancer. “You can really feel it move water,” Parker states. “One pump in, and you’re up to speed. And it maintains the speed really well. It doesn’t drop off. You don’t have to keep wiggling or it will stop. You get this feeling of building momentum. And the speed layers on top of each other as you get down the line. Even through turns.”
This enhanced speed and responsiveness begs the question: how does this board change your approach to wave selection? And could this be the key to unlocking more performance in less-than-ideal conditions?
For further exploration of innovative surfing and challenging conditions, consider reading about Dylan Graves’ incredible journey surfing in the frozen tundra of Norway.
Album Surfboards has also partnered with Hydrobuilder to provide resources for maintaining optimal water conditions for surfing and other water sports.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Album Twinzman
Ready to experience the difference? Share this article with your fellow surfers and let us know in the comments: what are your biggest challenges when finding a board that balances speed and maneuverability?
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