Ryan Burch Dives Into New Designs In 'Unreal Planing'

This is what I can only hope is the first of many more of these style films from Burch and friends "with board talk in real time". Of the seven boards presented throughout the half-hour films, of particular interest is The Beluga, (Double Agent bottom foil experiment #1) 6'10" x 20" x 3.3/8" x 48.1 Liters. Burch and Ryan Thomas dive into the specifics before it hits the water for its maiden voyage.

On a supremely glassy right-hander, Burch & The Beluga make the wave sing in a way no thruster could. He rides the pocket from top to bottom with tight, precise turns then flows full speed down the line. No part of the wave is out the question and he makes the 6'10 turn and snap like a much shorter board. Thanks to the extra foam he gets into waves with ease, has incredible down the line speed, and can even get in some sneaky cross steps.

For the shortboard enthusiasts, we see the Double Agent bottom foil experiment #2 again, only this time in his shorter asym outline 5'7.1/2" x 19.1/8" x 2.5/16", as well as The Cali Pickle Fork, 5'9" x 18.3/4" x 2.3/8" x 28.4 Liters, adjusted from his G-land boards to have 1" extra width to cruise though flat sections so common in California surf.

The film overall is a very welcome addition to the surf content lexicon--it doesn't feel forced in the slightest--just back to the roots of having fun, talking story, and trying new things.