In our trilogy of Fish designs the Dialer probably takes the title of 'most popular fish', mainly because of its outrageous down the line speed but also because it is easy to ride. The shape is heavily influenced by Richard Pavel's original design and can be ridden equally well with Pavel speed dialer fins or as a standard quad.
The Speed Dialer at a glance
SIZE RANGE: 5'.6'' TO 6'.6''
TYPICAL DIMENSIONS: 6'.0''x 20 ¾'' x 2 3/8''
ROCKER: fairly flat
RAILS: low down rails
BOTTOM SHAPE: vee with single concave
IDEAL CONDITIONS: small
BEST SUITED TO: intermediate to advanced
The design in detail
Who doesn't like speed? It's not difficult to understand why these boards are so popular. You get all the usual benefits of riding a fish, the wide template and extra volume provide easy paddling and early wave entry but the added dimension to this design is the four fin set up. The water is forced between the fins creating genuine 'spurts' of speed that surfers of all abilities can enjoy even in the most minimal of conditions.
The rest of the shape is all about control because speed is no use to you if you can't direct it. So to make sure the board is directionally stable and doesn't 'spin-out' even in overhead surf we have taken several steps. The back rail line is straightened, double wingers pull in the tail template and a 4 ¼'' butt crack splits the tail in two.
As already mentioned surfers of all abilities can benefit from riding this board, but, if you are already an experienced surfer and you haven't ridden one of these boards we actually recommend you don't bother. Why? Ignorance is bliss, because you are gonna be so pissed when you realise what you have been missing.
Speed dialler by Thomas Sharpe
On the spur of the moment after dropping my daughter off at school I popped into Gulf Stream in Woolacombe and had a great chat with Jules about all things Fish. I was riding a 7'0 thruster at the time and he persuaded me to try one of his 6'0 Quads (I wanted to but thought I wouldn't be capable). "Try it" he said - you may be surprised. A couple of days later I paddled out at dawn, dropped into a clean head high wave and had the ride of my surfing life. Smooth, buttery speed like I'd never experienced and the drive in the bottom turn felt unbelievable. I can't thank Gulf Stream enough. Now I'm riding a 5'10 Quad Speed Dialler of theirs which I love. Thanks not only for the advice, but for being there - hand shaping the highest quality surfboards right under our lucky noses.
