The VS Project

A Bodyboard is defined by its materials, how its constructed and its shape. The actual shape, or template, of a board can be determined by many factors, but when you combine the wave riding knowledge of the sports best riders, with the design skills of the industry's best shapers, it can only result in one thing: and that's high performance shapes. The Versus Project was established for this very purpose, joining elite bodyboarders with world-class shapers in a one on one collaboration to create the most technically progressive board shapes.

Nick Mesritz's VS Project now enters it’s 5th year and the 3 riders have firmly established themselves as the pre-eminent bodyboard team in the world. Jake Stone is the team’s the young gun and a true contender for the IBA crown. Joe Clarke is the free-surfing freak, but will still drop by and win the odd comp to remind the crew that he's on a level all of his own. Ryan Hardy brings serious respect and cred, earned through over a decade of high performance blazing on the world stage. Combined, these 3 riders continue to work closely with their respective shaper Todd Quigley, to further refine the ultimate bodyboard range on the market today.

WEEK: 17/9/12

We stumbled upon this old clip of Jake ripping in 2011. Some very tight surfing in this clip. Enjoy!

For more videos click the ARCHIVE button above.

31, Margaret River, Australia

What are your thoughts about riding for VS in 2012?

Working with VS is amazing! First and foremost the boards are as good as you can get by todays international standards - and the professionalism within the company is of huge benefit as a sponsored rider. Also riding alongside world class riders that are super amped and keen like Jake and Joey provides an underlying boost and encourages you to keep your game up.

You came first in the Riptide Reader Poll and second in the Riptides Peer Poll. What result do you feel is more important and why?

Well I think the peer poll is a much greater reading of your years performance because it's from the eyes and minds of the best riders that have seen and are doing the best riding in the world.The reader poll is still important because its a measure of who they SEE as as being the best rider by means of what they see in the magazines and videos and what they read...basically how you're viewed by the bodyboarding public as a rider and a character as a whole.

What are your bodyboarding and profile goals for 2012?

Bodyboarding, my biggest goals lie in competition surfing...preparing myself to give my biggest and best performances in heats on the world tour in some of the sick waves that we are surfing in.

Profile wise, I'd love to be involved in a couple of freesurfing/video/photo trips in some sick, uncrowded waves somewhere...it seems like forever since I've done a trip like that with a bunch of good dudes. Personal goals wise - my deepest driving goal is an elusive world title - I think as long as that is there I will be relentless in my drive for peak performance...whether that happens in 2011 or 2020 I can't see myself slowing down in wanting to ride at the highest level in bodyboarding and particularly in competition.

My shape has always been refined to allow for maximum speed and control when the waves get serious. This years template is no different and it allows me the confidence to get the best controlled scoop possible when dropping into the wave and maximum speed and forward projection off the bottom turn. I like riding the PE core when the water is colder and the waves are suckier and heavier. This gives me the best flex for scooping and maneuverability that's required when you're moving fast in heavy waves. I prefer to ride the PP core when the water is warmer and the waves are softer, have a bit more of a slope and thinner lips. In these conditions I find the PP's rigidity to be optimum in retaining maximum speed from take off to finish and it also provides the greatest 'pop' or projection off the lip.

Core: 2.4lbs Extruded PE

Deck: 8lb PE Cell cushion

Slick: HD

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 38, 40

Features: React stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 39, 40.5, 41.5, 42.25

Features: Hardy contoured deck, react stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 39, 40.5, 41.5, 42.25

Features: Hardy contoured deck, react stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels.

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by Dupont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 38, 40

Features: CFT Stringer, Nose and Tail Bumper, 55/45 Double Rails, Bull

Slick Grips, Graduated Channels

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 39, 40.5, 41.5, 42.25

Features: React stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: 3D (PE/PP)

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 40.5, 41.5, 42.25

Features: React stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: Parabolic

Deck: Wavechusion 8LB PE

Slick: HD

Tail: Crescent (Tail Piece)

Sizes: 40.5, 41.5, 42.5

Features: Parabolic Flex System. CFT Stringer, React Mesh, Graduated Channels, Nose & Tail Bumper, 55/45 Double Rails, Bull Grips.

25, Gold Coast, Australia

What are your thoughts about riding for VS in 2012?

I was stoked with the VS boards last year. Everything came

together from the new templates, colour combos and contours.I couldn’t be happier with my boards!

Im excited about this years range all the boards I've tested are feeling super fast and responsive! I feel my surfing is reaching new levels on them!

Can you give us some technical feedback features that VS makes on your board?

My new boards are the fastest boards i have ever ridden! I’ve been working on a ‘bullet’ like board, narrow and straight!!! Perfect for pocket surfing in the hollow stuff and fast driving bottom turns to hit sections! Ive made the nose a bit wider and ive found that its alot easier to land manouvers - good for comps! I usually ride a stock standard PP with stringer and mesh. But I'm onto the new Parabolic cores! I reckon they go amazing in the Australian waters!

What are your bodyboarding and profile goals for 2012?

My main goal is to Qualify for the GSS for 2013! This involves competing to the best of my ability throughout 2012.

Did you release any online video sections within the past 12 months?

I released 2 clips last year ! One was with a bunch of different sessions and the other was a clip of my

progression growing up.

Todd and I have been dialing in some pretty cool tech on my new set ups. New LTD contours, PP stringer mesh combo with a nice straight template is my dream ride. This board has all that you need. Tight turns in the pocket to nice high lines are all possible. Maneuvering the board around the pocket with ease .The contours he has designed are sick. It changes the flex pattern away from a normal flat board towards something I feel way more comfortable on. These designs are helping my surfing evolve beyond what I could have dreamed could occur. Everyday I’m blown away by the variety of waves and conditions this design works in. All in the name of R & D. Stoked.

Core: Parabolic

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent (tail piece)

Sizes: 40, 41, 42

Features: Parabolic Flex System, CFT Stringer, React Mesh, Graduated Channels, Nose & Tail Bumper, 55/45 Double Rails, Bull Grips, Tail Piece.

Core: NRG

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 40, 41, 42

Features: ESP Springer System, CT Stringer, React Mesh, Nose & Tail Bumper, 55/45 Double Rails, Bull Grips, Graduated Channels.

Core: 3D (PE/PP)

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent (tail piece)

Sizes: 40, 41, 42

Features: React stringer, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent (tail piece)

Sizes: 40, 41, 42

Features: Joe Clarke contoured deck, flex tip stringer, nose and tail pumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Sizes: 38, 40, 41, 42, 43

Features: React stringer, nose and tail pumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Core: 2.4lbs Extruded PE

Deck: 8lb PE Cell cushion

Slick: HD

Tail: Crescent (tail piece)

Features: React stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels.

Sizes: 38.75, 40.25

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: HD

Tail: Crescent (tail piece)

Features: React stringer, nose and tail bumper, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Sizes: 38.75, 40.25

22, Sunshine Coast, Australia

What are your competitive goals are for 2012?

My goal would be to win the world tour. Other than that my goals are to stay in the Top Ten.

Can you give us some technical feedback regarding the features that VS make on your boards?

I am loving the template Todd and I recently came up with. It is the perfect shape for me and I think it’s a really good all round shape for all waves and all riders, tight moves or big waves either way I can back this shape for anyone. Todd is the best shaper, every board I've had has been straight as an arrow and I am able to concentrate on my riding more,

my stock boards are what I ride and have I have changed the shape alot of times to get to a perfect medium.

Tell us about Throwdown.

It's a 45 minute DVD that Chris White and I have spent a fair bit of time producing, it's our best DVD yet and I'm stoked with how it came out!

What do you love about being a rider for VS?

I love that I am apart of the best board brand in the industry, its the royalty of boards!

What are your bodyboarding and profile goals are for 2012?

Make another DVD with Chris White and hopefully better my performance overall in small and large waves, do well on the world tour, have fun and enjoy life.

I have been through ups and downs my whole career with boards, but now I’m on VS Bodyboards I’m more confident and feel I’m surfing better than ever. I’ve tuned in my ideal setup for both PP and PE. Dimensions and materials I’ve been working on since I started getting custom boards It’s a narrow template with a sick tight curve. Perfect for releasing into tight spins in the pocket. The nose is just the right thickness for all types of waves. From the curve it goes down to a pretty narrow tail. This allows me plenty of drive in down the line and doesn’t bog down in bumpy sections. When I get a new PP board I make sure I surf it in warmer water before I take it somewhere icy. It needs to be worn in. PE is pretty much ready to ride straight up. Though I don’t use it too much in summer sessions. I keep my PP boards for that.

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Features: Parabolic Flex System, CFT Stringer, React Mesh, Graduated Channels, Nose & Tail Bumper, 55 / 45 Double Rails,

Bull Grips

Sizes: 39, 40, 41, 42

Core: NRG

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Features: ESP Springer System, CFT Stringer, React Mesh, Graduated Channels, Nose & Tail Bumper, 55/45 Double Rails, Bull Grips.

Sizes: 37,39, 40, 41, 42

Core: NRG

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Features: Double React Mesh, CFT Stringer, Graduated Channels,

Nose & Tail Bumper, 55/45 Double Rails, Bull Grips.

Sizes: 41, 42

Core: 3D (PE/PP)

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Features: React stringer, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Sizes: 39, 40, 41, 42

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: Surlyn by DuPont

Tail: Crescent

Features: React stringer, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Sizes: 39, 40, 41, 42

Core: Kinetic PP

Deck: Wave Cushion Air 8lb PE

Slick: HD

Tail: Crescent

Features: React stringer, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels

Sizes: 37, 39, 41

Core: 2.4lbs Extruded PE

Deck: 8lb PE Cell cushion

Slick: HD

Tail: Crescent

Features: React double stringer, bull slick grips, 55/45 double rails and graduated channels.

Sizes: 37, 39, 41

What are your thoughts about shaping for VS in 2012?

Its been over5yearssinceMezcameupwiththe concept for The Vs Project and I am stoked to be involved again in 2012. Working with 3 of the best riders in the world with their own unique styles sure shows in the boards with a sick shape for each guy in the 2012 VS range.

What are your shaping and profile goals for VS in 2012?

Mygoals this yeararetoworkcloselywithRyan,Joe and Jake on their boards. I want to continue refining them even further with tiny adjustments and make sure my 14 years experience in the shaping bay goes into each and every board they get. I want the guys to have total confidence in the boards and know they can push there surfing to the limit every time they hit the water.

Please provide a line about what you like to shape for each of the VS team riders-

Ryan Hardy - I have been shaping boards for Ryan for about 10 years now and little has changed in that time as Ryans boards are just like his surfing. High performance and very calculated.

Joe Clarke - I know what he wants by the way he rides a wave, he is always looking to bust big and gain speed straight off the bottom turn and head for the lip or just gun it for the pit. Joe being a fit, lean, taller guy has aboard that is slightly narrower for its length and I really like this about his board set up.

JakeStone - I first made boards for Jake when he was a 14 year old punk grom and alot has changed. Jake is charging massive pits these days and is busting big in waves from 1ft to 10ft.

When Mez approached me a few years back with the Versus concept, or "project" as he termed it, I instantly loved the idea. While I've spent the best part of the past 14 years shaping custom boards, for pros and local heroes alike, I've always wanted to parlay my skills into a stock board line. On top of this, to be able to work one on one with three of the world's most dynamic riders is a shapers dream. Each rider in the VS Project has their own unique style and with that comes their individual board requirements. Its my job to be able to translate each riders requirements into boards that will allow them to push the boundaries of high performance bodyboarding. Once we finalize on a "master template" for each respective rider, I then work closely with Mez to convert the exact templates into the CNC machine. From there Mez and I develop a range of boards that offers something for everyone, in terms of sizes, performance features and specific material constructions for virtually every water temp and all wave conditions. Using only the finest materials available and the worlds most advanced construction techniques, I feel proud to put my name to the VS range of boards.