I remember when I first saw one. The surfer was flying down the line in Barra absolutely working the wave from top to bottom. Later, on the beach, I recognized him and that’s when I really saw it.
It was a beautiful looking surfboard with a disfigured tail and mismatched fin set up. I couldn’t help but stare and think, wtf is that? Up until that point, I had never seen one up close. Simply put, it was an asymmetrical surfboard. Yes, an ‘asym’.
A few months later at Seaside, another glimpse of a mutant blade. This time it was Ryan Burch on one of his early pickle forks. The weird tail and double-tipped nose providing yet another shock to my symmetrically conditioned system. I later learned that both boards were somewhat related since the surfer at Barra was also a San Diego local and they were made in the same shop, only by different shapers.
What I didn’t know was just how big of an impact they were about to have on surfing — and how hooked on them I would eventually become. It didn’t happen overnight. It took time. The better part of a decade.
At first, I couldn’t really wrap my head around the aesthetics. They just looked weird and I in no way could fathom how they would help my surfing. For the longest time, I was under the common misconception that they were only meant for going one direction: left or right. I blame it on whoever it confidently explained it to me — they clearly didn’t know what they were talking about. I came away thinking that they were essentially point-break specific boards. Directionally shaped like a snowboard that was not meant to be ridden switch.
Eventually, I was freed from my ignorance. A much wiser soul explained how they were stance-specific, meaning goofy or regular, not direction-specific, for only going left or right.
Originally developed decades ago by San Diego legend, Carl, Ekstrom, asymmetrical surfboards are designed to complement the natural asymmetry of our bodies when standing sideways and going down the line. Simply put, we have far more leverage under our toes than our heels. That is why asym boards have a longer rail line under the rider’s toe side (left on goofy, right on regular) and shorter on the rider’s heel side. The longer rail allows for more drive while the shorter rail grants a shorter turning radius and allows for easier turns.
This is why, when riding a standard symmetrical board, ripping frontside is typically far easier than ripping backside. Sure, it’s easier to see the wave going frontside, but there’s more to it than that. It comes down to the response under foot. Once I understood that (and after I broke one of my favorite all-around boards) I finally pulled the trigger on a Ah Vessels 6’8 Ordainer from the Wailua Surf Shop.
Related: The Art of the Asym: Ah Vessels Lights Up The North Shore
If all you ever watch of pro surfing comes from the CT, you’d be liable to think that asyms are just a gimmick. Some hipster thing that just looks funky but doesn’t do much. That has started to change in recent years as surfers like Steph Gilmore, Caity Simmers, and Mikey Wright have all embraced aysm designs by Ryan Burch.
The CT guys and girls are also primarily riding boards that most people could never catch a wave on, especially in average surf. This is why many people mistakenly buy 5’10 thrusters and think they’re about to go all John John on whatever peak comes their way.
This habit dies hard. Some people never find the right equipment before they relinquish their dreams of being a competent surfer. Others, who can ride equipment like that, often carry on and fight the inevitable onset of age, one Huntington hop at a time, until they finally swallow their pride and size up.
Does that mean an asym is right for you? Maybe. Or maybe not. Like so much in life, it depends on where you are in your journey and what you’re after.
In my instance, the Ordainer came at just the right time and helped me immensely, especially in good conditions. If up-leveling your performance in good surf is what you’re after, it could be a great call. If simply catching more waves is the goal, then a mid length or longboard may be a better option.
Of the asym shapers of the world, which there are plenty, there are four who are really leaning into the design philosophy and turning heads in the process: Ryan Burch, Ryan Lovelace, Ashton Pickle (aka Ah Vessels), and Matt Parker at Album.
Admittedly, this is a very limited list, that is also very US-centric. But it seems like a good place to start. They all make symmetrical models, too, but for the sake of this series, we’re going to focus on their asym models.
We’ve done a couple stories on Ryan Burch and the growth of his label via the new Lam Line collection and continued refinement of asym shapes. This month, we’ll dive into Ryan Lovelace and his new shapes that are getting the royal tube treatment courtesy of Tosh Tudor.
Stay tuned, it’s about to get weird.
Related: ‘Reckless Speed and Tons of Excitement’: Ryan Burch on His Design and Philosophy
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