06 . 01 . 18
New Year, New Model
Sometimes we set out to design and make a new wooden surfboard model, and sometimes one develops seemingly organically. The Barque is a new addition to the Otter Surfboards range and is one such shape; the quickest way to describe it would be to call it a smaller version of our ever-popular Island Hopper model, but that would be doing it a disservice.
Developed over several workshop courses as the result of a number of workshoppers enquiring after a smaller mid-length option, the Barque sits between the Jetty and the Island Hopper, right in the one-board-quiver sweet spot. It carries plenty of volume, so paddles well and catches waves easily. The Barque’s full nose makes it a stable surfboard, particularly in smaller and weaker waves, whilst it’s relatively straight rail line and pulled in tail make for a fast board down the line when the surf gets a bit bigger. When it’s small you can cruise on the it, but if the swell picks up then it’ll get into waves and flow nicely down the line when well overhead. Much like it’s older and younger siblings the Island Hopper and the Jetty, the Barque is a great all-rounder and could be the only surfboard you need – for any season, at home or abroad.
