Loaded – Dervish Sama Brown (Flex 3) – Deck

In 2007, the Dervish was our first venture into dropthrough construction and an opportunity to create a flexy, bamboo composite carver with the versatility to handle a variety of riding styles. Five years later, we’ve revisited this flagship board with new performance aspirations in mind.

The Loaded Dervish Sama 42.8″ longboard deck is a flexible bamboo composite carver with a wide wheelbase to handle speed and a variety of riding styles. This deck has been updated with a wider standing platform and a more pronounced concave to enhance control. Get on Loaded’s latest evolution of the time-tested Dervish, it’s a decision your feet won’t regret.

Length: 42.8in
Width: 9.0in
Wheelbase: 31.5in
Nose: 3.0in
Tail: 3.125in

FLEX
Flex 3: 75-150+ lbs / 35-68+ kg

SHAPE
Using sophisticated \(for us\) design software and curvature calculations, we extensively tested various different widths and subtle changes to the deck shape. We then collectively decided that this new 9\” wide shape \(the old Dervish was 8.5\” with a different neck curvature\) provided a satisfactory balance of comfort, edge control, and responsiveness.

CONCAVE
The Dervish Sama also received a more pronounced concave profile, which is further augmented by the increased deck width. The result is improved edge feel for turn initiation and extra control while sliding.

NOSE & TAIL KICKS
To keep up with the current caliber of freestyle riding, we gave the Dervish the most tasteful of nosejobs. After testing several new shapes and sizes, we lengthened the tips for additional leverage, widened the neck to increase durability and ensure a consistent flex pattern through the entire deck, and added subtle kicks to increase pop and to lock your feet in. The kicks are reinforced with an extra layer of fiberglass for added stiffness and durability.

GRIPTAPE
A six-piece symmetrical griptape pattern was designed with performance and elegance in mind. The two sections at the kicks use an aggressive, rougher-grit grip to provide enhanced control and security for manuals and freestyle tricks. The four middle sections use a milder, finer-grit grip \(comparable to street skate grip\) to facilitate dancing and footwork maneuvers. The segmented design yields functional coverage without interfering with the boards flex pattern.

CAMBER
The Dervish Sama’s versatility lends it to many disciplines, but at its heart lies a deeply rooted passion for carving. The cambered platform and weight-tailored flex pattern work together synergistically to provide a lively, flowing ride. Press your weight into a turn to preload the deck’s curvature; unweight as you finish the carve and feel the board snap back with positive energy return.

Flex 3: 75-150+lbs / 35-68+kg

Keep in mind that a softer flex pattern will give you more control and tighter turns at slower speeds and make it easier to slide, but tends to lose stability slightly at higher speeds.

CONSTRUCTION
Epoxy and triaxial fiberglass sandwich a vertically laminated bamboo core, pressed into concave and convex cambers for liveliness, responsiveness and high energy potential. Drop-through cutouts are CNC milled for precision.