thedrip said...
Go find a shaper, take your board and tell him what you like and dislike.

sparki said...


He said there aren't any shapers nearby him.


Rubbish. If there are waves there are shapers, I reckon he just doesn't know where they are. And, like I said, the drive would be worth it. Stock boards are a far cry from a custom board tuned to a particular surfer, and, more importantly, that second board from a shaper once a relationship and design parameters are established.

I would almost guarantee there is a shaper within an hour and a half drive of him, but then again maybe a quality board isn't that important to him. Or you.

Small design differences make big performance differences and stock boards are a general average. They are okay. But would you buy a hyundai when you could have a honda? Same size but the quality is just so much more.

If you do go for a custom board, get a heavier glass job. It will make bugger all difference to your surfing and the board will last soooo much better - yet another thing that stock boards don't do.

Further, shapers in the same area may do a better board over the phone and delivered by mail. I have friends who order boards from shapers 700km from their home towns.

Having said all that, the idea of getting a bunch of second hand boards is certainly appealing for a beginner. It will give you an idea of what things you like in a board. For example, me and a single concave just don't get on, but I started surfing with single fins, twins and v bottoms. Nowdays a single into double is the get go in my small boards. Fins can also change a board big time - play with them. Cheaper than a new board.

PaddlePig said...
I might be going against the grain here, but get onto gumtree or even the buy & sell section of this website and buy a few cheap boards. I reckon if you are going to spend $700 on your DHD or Merick, you'd be better off buying a $200 second hand board and giving it a crack and seeing what you think. If you believe you want a bit of extra thickness etc, find one with those dimensions. For the equivalent $700 odd bucks you'd be able to try out a few boards.

Also, normally I pump blokes up and so forth. But as a beginner, I think the term 'carving' can be saved for people whole genuinely rip. I wouldn't say I carve waves up. I'm not having a crack mate, but I think you mean floating up and down the face perhaps. Either that, or you certainly have progressed very quickly!