How CJ Nelson’s “Aha” Moments Led to the Design of the Parallax—One of the Most User-Friendly Longboards Available
CJ Nelson has ridden a lot of surfboards throughout his career. He is considered one of the most accomplished traditional longboarders in the business, was dominant in the 1990s and early 200s, and has won the Duct Tape Invitational and MexiLog Fest.
His line of boards with Thunderbolt represent some of the most advanced traditional logs on the market, and his Sprout design in particular is considered to be one of the best noseriders ever made.
CJ Nelson has recently been turning heads with his Parallax design, which combines a forgiving outline and rails with a fast, trim-happy hull on the bottom. CJ Nelson recalls having numerous “aha” moments in his surfing career—things as simple as borrowing a shortboard from a buddy who was bigger than him and seeing his wave count double; lowering rocker in a log and carrying more speed on waves; bumping up thickness on a longboard and watching both paddle speed and trim speed increase. He notes that many of these benefits come with very little sacrifice—that you don’t actually lose very much by adding these elements.
CJ's "Aha" Moments:
During his design process, CJ had several breakthroughs that led to the creation of the Parallax. He realized that by combining a modern design with a user-friendly approach, he could create a board that would appeal to surfers of all levels.
- Aha Moment 1: CJ realized that a rounded pin tail would provide the perfect balance between maneuverability and stability.
- Aha Moment 2: He understood that a medium rocker would offer the ideal blend of speed and responsiveness.
- Aha Moment 3: CJ discovered that by using carbon fiber fins, he could reduce weight and increase performance.
How CJ Nelson's "Aha" Moments Led to the Design of Parallax, One of the Most User-Friendly Surfboards
CJ Nelson, a renowned surfer and shaper, has always been driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to push the boundaries of what's possible on a surfboard. His latest creation, the Parallax surfboard, is a testament to his dedication to crafting high-performance boards that are both responsive and easy to ride.
Advantages:
- Improved maneuverability: The Parallax's rounded pin tail and medium rocker provide a responsive and sensitive ride, making it ideal for aerials and tight turns.
- Enhanced stability: The board's wider nose and squared-off tail ensure a stable platform for paddling and popping up.
- Increased speed: The Parallax's sleek design and carbon fiber fins work together to reduce drag and maximize speed.
- Durability: The board's high-density foam core and epoxy resin construction ensure a long-lasting and resistant ride.
The Parallax surfboard is a testament to CJ's innovative approach and dedication to crafting high-performance boards that are both responsive and easy to ride. With its unique combination of modern design and user-friendly features, the Parallax is sure to appeal to surfers of all levels.
That was the principle that he brought into his design of the Parallax. When designing a board, CJ Nelson always strives to make something that he and other expert loggers can enjoy, but that a beginner could also graduate to from their soft-top and immediately be able to surf.
He wants a board that makes catching waves easy, because he’s tired of seeing frustrated people in the lineup and feels that everyone deserves to feel in control in the water—to catch waves when they want to and enjoy surfing. The Parallax is built for exactly that purpose.
The hull bottom is simple and forgiving, but also paddles fast and flies down the line even faster. It is responsive and maneuverable, but also feels great trimming in the pocket. In other words, it makes surfing easy and fun—and that’s exactly what it should be. If that’s not an “aha” realization, I don’t know what is.