Flex board history

(mnwakerider) · (mnwakerider) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 10-25-2007, 2:56 PM

Writing something up on flex boards being introduced into the scene.
Help me check my facts

Hype Roam first flex board - came out in 2005
New shape in 2006 - Current shape
Ronix Covenant in 2007
Slingshot Full lineup 2007
LF Press - 2008
Byerly Monarch - 2008

Am I missing anything on this? Essentially I am just doing about a paragraph or two on the history and such...
Any and all input is greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
JB

(wakebrdr38) · (wakebrdr38) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 10-25-2007, 3:10 PM

the monarch is flex?

(mnwakerider) · (mnwakerider) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 10-25-2007, 3:11 PM

It has flex sections at the tip/tail - uses both stiff and flex.

(sidekicknicholas)

I seriously think that old DNA hyperlite boards flexed enough to make a difference in riding, my old DNA byerly you could notice a difference between the reg. core

(proho) · (proho) **Join Date: Aug 2005** 10-26-2007, 7:30 AM

there was a board similar to the roam back in the day. that was the first flex board if you want to go back that far.

(malibuboarder75)

Does anyone have pics of the 2008 monarch, that sounds really interesting.

(nauty) · (nauty) **Join Date: Feb 2004** 10-26-2007, 7:47 AM

I may be wrong, but I believe that Slingshot boards have been in kiteboarding for years. They are just now transferring the flex technology to wakeboards. Perhaps this will be a good angle for your story as to how the flex board came about?

(mnwakerider) · (mnwakerider) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 10-26-2007, 9:11 AM

Thanks for the input guys, Richard - I have some info on the evolution of kiteboarding and such - good point.
Proho - I do recall anything - got a name? Not that big o' deal if you dont.

Kevin and Leo I am working on the pic. Back soon!

(mnwakerider) · (mnwakerider) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 10-26-2007, 9:13 AM

(mnwakerider) · (mnwakerider) **Join Date: Jun 2004** 10-26-2007, 9:15 AM

So the flex section is seen as the thiner section of the board. I am not sure what kind of flex they are using (wood core like roam/covenant or other like slingshot/LF Press)

(jason_ssr) · (jason_ssr) **Join Date: Apr 2001** 10-26-2007, 10:39 AM

Wasnt the Cordial flexi? Thats going back to like '92!!! Way ahead of its time....

(chris_williams)

Lonnie Toft boards were the first flex boards around here. There were some flex boards in australia also awhile back. Lonnie Toft goes back around 15 years I guess now but they were just like the original roam shape but with a single center fin and built like a snowboard. My buddy Jon Roth has one sitting in his garage but its only like a 130 for girls so its too small for me to ride. Ever since the roam first came out ive always wanted a board with snappy tails and solid from binding to binding and now finally boards are starting to go that way

(Message edited by chris_williams on October 26, 2007)

(newbloodaz) · (newbloodaz) **Join Date: Oct 2007** 10-26-2007, 10:54 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong but, not sure if they meant to make a flex board but CORE wakeboards were the first real flex board. The thin shape was very snappy and light...did we all forget about those boys... to tell you truth i think slingshot is just a upgraded version of a core board!

(chris_williams)

I think core might have been a thin foam core causing some flex but i dunno. the cordial's and lonnies were around for alot longer. i'm not sure the history behind cordial boards but Lonnie is a famous old school skater that use to shape lots of stuff. His wakeboards he shaped had variable flex meaning he would thin out the tails for more flex and have the wood thicker in the center. Depending on the rider he would shape the board custom for your weight. He has this skateboard sitting in this museum/skatepark by my house called skatelab.

(jarrod) · (jarrod) **Join Date: May 2003** 10-26-2007, 12:29 PM

Don't forget the Tubelite!

(malibuboarder75)

That Monarch Looks awesome. My only problem is that it has molded in fins which would take away from some of the flex in the tail/nose.

(electricsnow) · (electricsnow) **Join Date: May 2002** 10-26-2007, 5:28 PM

Did the cordials actually flex? I don't know if they were promoted as such...I know I definitely haven't ridden one.

And I definitely never heard of any lonnie toft wakeboards, but that really wouldn't surprise me. he had some creative skateboards, and he had one of the first "signature" snowboards--that flying yellow banana with a wood deck mounted on top of it.

And like somoene else said, hyperlite's DNA line and LF's balsa line were said to have some flex and snap...

(scott_a) · (scott_a) **Join Date: Dec 2002** 10-26-2007, 5:52 PM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...tubelite.

(malibuboarder75)

I just checked wake-space.com, the monarch is $650!!!!

(robin_holland) · (robin_holland) **Join Date: May 2006** 10-29-2007, 4:03 AM

The flex sections isn't a new feature. New Schnitzel the European board company for 07 the flex layup system. It is the same as the Byerly monarch.
By the Pro models they have a special structure that have more flex in the nose and tail. The
more flexibility makes it easier to get pop and land softer as well. And if you slide
rails the flex will give you easier nose presses. It works great

(poodle) · (poodle) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 11-01-2007, 12:59 PM

Ya hey guys chris is right lonnie toft boards were the first flex board like 15 years back ive seen the boards and the video behind them hey chris didnt you tell brian alread about that board like 2 years ago when he wasnt even with liquid yet r u in on this disighn? if so good job mang

(wakerider111) · (wakerider111) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 11-01-2007, 4:04 PM

OBRIEN
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/1/516153.html?1193954393

(dococ) · (dococ) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 11-01-2007, 4:48 PM

The Core boards were built with super thin foam cores and thick high-quality glass, they flexed pretty good. I loved that board, but the landings could be pretty harsh.

(tantrum20) · (tantrum20) **Join Date: Nov 2001** 11-02-2007, 2:57 PM

they probably weren't wide enough back then... I'm talking about the Core boards...