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Sep 9, 2024 · Comments

Content Summary

Taylor Jensen's Background
Collaboration with Firewire Surfboards
The GEM Surfboard Key Features
Featuring The Gem latest construction: Helium Core Technology
Performance Highlights
Fin Recommendations

David recently had a Zoom call with Taylor Jensen, discussing his career and the innovative GEM surfboard in Helium construction. Before diving into the details of the GEM, let's get to know the man behind the board.

Taylor Jensen, a three-time World Longboard Champion, has a rich surfing history:

Grew up in San Diego, California, immersed in beach culture
Started with boogie boarding before transitioning to stand-up surfing
Competed in local contests as a teen, inspired by local surf culture and filmmakers like Taylor Steele
Turned pro at age 16 and won his first World Title in 2011, followed by titles in 2012 and 2017

The GEM Surfboard: Taylor Jensen’s Ultimate One-Board Quiver

Jensen's collaboration with Firewire Surfboards began in 2009, marking a significant turning point in his career:

He attributes much of his success to Firewire's technology
Initially sampled Firewire boards two years before officially riding for them
Noticed a significant improvement in performance after collaborating with Dan, a shaper at Firewire

The GEM's Design Philosophy

The GEM was conceived as a "one-board quiver" solution, capable of handling a wide range of wave conditions and riding styles. The Gem Surfboard, a brainchild of 3x World Longboard Champion Taylor Jensen and renowned shaper Dan Mann, is a testament to this synergy. This board represents the pinnacle of longboard design, offering a unique blend of traditional trim capabilities and modern performance features.

The GEM Surfboard: Taylor Jensen’s Ultimate One-Board Quiver

Taylor Jensen explains, "It's just something that me and Dan tried to work on to have sort of a one-board quiver that covers all the bases no matter what you want to ride or how you want to ride it." He approached Dan Mann with a challenging brief: create a board that bridges the gap between his TJ Pro model, known for its high-performance characteristics, and the TJ Everyday, favored for its traditional longboarding feel. The result is a surfboard that truly lives up to its name – a gem in any surfer's quiver.

Key Features of the GEM

Versatile Shape

The GEM's outline combines elements of traditional and modern longboard designs:

Nose: Wide and stable for nose riding
Middle: Generous width for stability and glide
Tail: Diamond tail for increased maneuverability

Jensen notes that the diamond tail "shortens the rail line a little bit and gives it a little bit more in between a rounded pin's drawn out turns and a square tail's pivot."

Bottom Contours

The GEM features a sophisticated bottom design:

Nose: Teardrop concave for lift and control during nose riding
Middle: Transitions to a double concave
Tail: Deep double concave with a hard edge for speed and responsiveness

Jensen elaborates, "It's got a pretty defined teardrop concave on the nose and then that transfers into a double concave through the tail so it just channels that water really well and it just flows."

The Gem in Helium Construction

The GEM now features Firewire's innovative Helium construction with some unique additions:

Helium core for quick response and rebound
Variable Flex iBeam Stringer: Narrower in the nose, wider in the tail for controlled flex
Paulownia wood nose cap for added stability during nose riding
Wood rails from nose to tail for improved flex control

Jensen explains, "As you guys know with the helium core you deal with really quick response out of turns and the rebounds are really quick so as soon as I push into a turn I feel that kickback." The variable flex I-Beam Stringer is a key feature. Jensen describes, "The thickness like the width of the I-Beam Stringer transfers from thinner in the nose area to wider through the tail and so what that does is that controls your flex."

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Helium Core Technology

Helium Core Technology is the heart of the Gem's performance capabilities. This innovative construction method is designed to generate speed in weak, everyday waves – a crucial factor for longboard performance.

Key aspects of Helium Core Technology include:

Stringerless EPS Foam Core: The core is made from 1.0 lb EPS foam without a traditional wooden stringer. This reduces weight while maintaining strength.
Flex Characteristics: The wood rails enable a dynamic flex pattern in the rail, creating a loaded-up, spring-back feeling that enhances performance and speed generation.
Deck Skin Benefits: The Helium deck skins not only improve durability but also contribute to performance. They have a memory that allows them to rebound to their original form after being compressed, resulting in a highly responsive feel.

Performance Benefits of Helium Core Technology:

Speed Generation: Excels at generating and maintaining speed in weaker wave conditions.
Responsiveness: Provides a lively, responsive flex underfoot.
Quick Turns: Allows for explosive, tight-angled turns.
Durability: The deck surface remains pristine for many years due to the resilient deck skin.

Performance Characteristics

Sensitivity and Feel

Jensen notes a significant improvement in board feel: "I felt like I could feel the board more like I had a more of a sensitivity to it through my feet and it let me kind of adapt to it better."

Trimming and Nose Riding

The wide nose and teardrop concave provide stability and control for traditional longboarding maneuvers. Jensen mentions that on the nose, "it was sort of smoother because it didn't have that rigidity. I wasn't feeling every little lump and bump on the nose."

Turning and Responsiveness

The diamond tail, hard edge, and double concave in the tail allow for quick turns and responsive surfing in more critical sections. Jensen feels "more control through that thicker iBeam Stringer" in the tail.

Fin Setup Options

The GEM offers versatility in fin configurations:

Single fin for traditional longboarding
2+1 setup for added drive and maneuverability

Jensen recommends, "If you're gonna go Single Fin and you want that Single Fin feel I'd go with the 10-inch fin. And then if you're gonna ride sort of more of a two plus one I'd go with about a seven and a half inch center and about a 3.75 in side."

Sizing Guide

The GEM is available in sizes ranging from 8'3" to 9'8", catering to a wide range of surfer heights and weights.

8'3" x 21 3/4" x 2 3/4" - 54.6L
8'8" x 22" x 2 7/8" - 60.7L
9'1" x 22 1/4" x 3" - 67.1L
9'5" x 22 1/2" x 3" - 70.3L
9'8" x 22 3/4" x 3 1/4" - 79.3L

Optimal Wave Conditions

The Gem Surfboard is designed to perform across a wide spectrum of wave conditions, making it a true all-rounder in the longboard category. Its versatility is one of its strongest selling points, allowing surfers to enjoy its performance in various surf scenarios.

Small Waves:

Speed-generating technology shines in weak conditions.
Single fin setup for smooth trimming and nose-riding.
High volume aids in catching small waves.

Medium Waves:

Adaptable with single fin or 2+1 setup.
Hard edge rail for precise turns.
Concave design enhances speed and flow.

Larger Waves:

Performs well in head-high surf with 2+1 configuration.
Diamond tail allows quick direction changes.
Balanced rocker prevents pearling.

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Point Breaks and Reefs:

Excels in long, peeling waves.
Allows for both trimming and dynamic turning.

Beach Breaks:

Versatile in unpredictable conditions.
Forgiving nature handles closeouts well.

Now, let's compare the two flagship models in Jensen's line: The GEM and the Special T.

Who Is the GEM For?

The GEM is ideal for:

Surfers looking for a versatile longboard that can handle various conditions
Those who want the option to switch between traditional and more performance-oriented longboarding
Travelers seeking a "one-board quiver" solution

Jensen emphasizes its versatility: "When it's one to two foot you can throw a single fin in and trim and cruise and nose ride, and then when it gets bigger you can throw a two plus one in and still rip it off the tail."