“It was more an endurance event, based on how well one can operate whilst being extremely hungover. I believe if it was just one of us it wouldn’t have happened - that board needed a whole brain and between the two of us, at that very time, we barely fit the requirements.”
- Sean Mawson on the MAWSCORD collaboration.
Last Autumn, Aussie shaper and surfer Sean Mawson of Mawscode Surfboards stopped in at Cord's Wheal Kitty factory in Cornwall on a diversion during from a trip to Ireland. Together, Sean and Markie shaped an asymmetrical board for our mutual friend and Cord team rider Noah Lane. An assymentrical design that came in at 6’0 x 18 5/8 x 2 3/8, the MAWSCORD collaboration board has recently put through its paces on the west coast of Ireland, where Australian hell-man Noah calls home.
Noah explained, “Sean has been coming to Ireland for the last number of years and through Markie‘s trips here they’ve met and found common ground in shaping and board design. During Sean‘s last visit, the waves went flat for a while and he ended up in Cornwall with Markie throwing ideas around the shaping bay. I’ve always wanted to get a board from him and we’ve spoken previously about doing an asym.”
Despite both being Aussie, Sean and Noah know each other from the Emerald Isle. Sean said, “I’ve met some of the most lovely people in Ireland over the last 8 or so years, whom have become really good friends. It’s a special place and that’s mainly based on the people that live there. Through Conor [Maguire], Noah and co I eventually had the pleasure of copping Markie on a night out in Bundoran with Russell [Bierke] and Caitlin [Jones]. Some vicious banter followed and we have kept in touch since!”
He continued, “I’ve known Noah for a few years now and am a big fan of the way he surfs. He does the kind of surfing I like and would like to be doing, so he’s one of my favourites to watch for sure. I’ve kind of always wanted to make a board for him and the opportunity popped up to make one with Markie at Cord, so I thought at the very least Markie and I would have a good laugh.”
First developed and trialed in the early 60s, asymmetrical surfboards have bobbed in and out of popularity, with most riders opting for classic symmetrical shapes and styles. However, often overlooked was their appeal when it came to experimentation, pushing new limits and discovering what’s possible in the world of design. Asym boards are defined as a surfboard that has a different plan shape (outline) and tail from one side to another, be this minor or major. If a board has different dimensions and/or curves either side of the stringer, it is asymmetrical.
“I’m no asym guru, however to me they make lots of sense in the right wave. Adding spring and hold in specific areas has given me feelings I’ve never had on a board before.”
- Sean on asyms.
It’s usually assumed that asymmetrical surfboards are designed for point breaks, where the surfer is only ever riding in one direction. However, asymmetrical boards actually give riders different levels of control on their toe and heel side. As humans, we aren’t symmetrical, and we don’t stand on a surfboard symmetrically either. Standing sideways, our heels, knees and hips all flex differently in one direction or the other, and therefore we have different strengths and weaknesses on our forehand and backhand. Custom-designed asymmetrical boards that are bespoke to the surfer help us to lean into this, rather than forcing us into a symmetrical world that doesn’t exist.
Noah said, ”I’ve only ridden a couple of asymmetrical boards in the past, but this one surpasses any of my expectations for alternative performance. The uniqueness of the longer tail edge and shorter heel edge gives the board a level of control in different parts of the wave that I haven’t felt in a conventional shortboard.”
“The board wasn’t designed specifically for any waves other than going left but both Sean and myself have a soft spot for the peak so I guess that’s really where it’s designed for, or at least those kind of waves.”
On dimensions and specifics, Sean explained, “We used a file of Markie’s that Noah likes and stretched it out and made it a little narrower. You have a twin fin on the toe side and a quad setup on your heel side which is a nice balance, so you can spring off the toe side and push as hard as you can off your heel side. It’s kind of taken the positives out of each setup and put them into one board.”
“There’s a strong connection of Australian South Coast surfers that have spent quite a bit of time here in Bundoran, chasing waves up and down the West Coast. Sean‘s approach is so laid-back and his surfing is so smooth and recognisable. It’s an honour to be able to ride a board shaped by him.” Noah continued, “The fact that it came from the Cord factory and was also worked on by Markie, Conor and Jack makes it really special, even if Conor and Jack have no business being in the shaping bay - ha ha!”
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