The Modern Planing Hull. It’s got a special ring to it, doesn’t it? It sounds like the name of a spin-off Mumford and Sons band, only much more edgey, experimental, and indecently depressing. While I’m not in a rush to see those guys live, I do welcome Dan “Tomo” Thomson’s newest space design, the Modern Planing Hull, with open arms.
Tomo’s designs have been a hot topic in the surf world for a while now, but it wasn’t until injury wildcard Stu Kennedy’s extraordinary entrance to a CT event that surfers everywhere began questioning their own quivers with scolding conviction. Of course, Stu is a freak talent, but anyone could see that board looked beautiful under his feet at Snapper.
What’s unique about Tomo’s boards is that it blends the benefits of both standard shortboard thrusters and twin fin fishes (and similar designs). The one-stop-shop of boards, if you will.
“Its the smallest possible board that still maintains an effective rail line,” says Tomo. “There’s less resistance through the water because there is less curve, so you can draw out powerful, hard turns without sliding out and using your rail. Added complex bottom contours to the bottom to get the grip you need and also added lift.”
In other words, the Modern Planing Hull is the Mighty Mouse of surfboards. And who better to test and provide feedback than the King himself? Those two brains together will create a massive game changer, if they haven’t already.
