Neutral Handling

Hey Dale, I was wondering if you could explain what exactly you mean by > "neutral handling" in surfcraft? I hear you mention it often but > have always been unsure of what you meant.

The term, "neutral handling" isn`t my term, but George Greenough`s. It refers to balance in a surfcraft, when the entirety of its design elements, nose to tail, of form and fin(s) are all working together to hold in during turns and achieve maximum trim. On longer, more powerful and lined-up waves, this synergy is easier to appreciate. Neutral handling allows the design, rather than the rider, the freedom of seeking the optimum line across a wave... the exact opposite of surfing by means of sheer athletic force.

An excellent reference on this subject is found in The Surfer`s Journal, Spring 1994, Vol.3, No.1, in the article "George Greenough, The Ageless Artist", by Paul Gross.