RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Custom Surfboard Results:
Custom Surfboards: Al Merrick, Longboards, Board Dimentions And Tails
By:
Published: October 30, 2006
As surfing’s popularity surge from the shores of Hawaii to coasts worldwide continues, innovation has continued to advance, enhancing and broadening the technical capabilities of wave-riding. Modern surfboard technology has moved well-beyond the early stone ax shaped wood boards of native Hawaiians to plastic blends. One thing that hasn't changed in the many millennium of surfboard construction is the surfboard still remains the manifestation of an artisan and his medium.
Only recently have machine made boards replaced handmade or hand-shaped boards by master surfboard craftsman. Despite the increasing prevalence of machine shaped boards, the shaped-by-hand board is still the preferred expression of the art. Since most surfboards are handmade, almost all surfboards have a custom surfboard feel. Some shops make boards customized to a surfer's specifications.
Those with the experience (and money) may opt for a custom surfboard. Generally, beginning surfers start with used boards as they learn essential surfing skills. Experienced surfers turn to master shapers if they have special requests for boards.
When it comes to custom surfboards, options can range from the types of materials used to cosmetic details like airbrush designs.
The first consideration for the surfer is the preferred style of board. Shortboards, longboards and funboards all have their artisans. Some surfboard customizers also craft hybrid boards like eggs, fishes, and guns.
Additionally, the surfer must decide on board dimensions such as the length, width and thickness of the board. Enhancements to the nose, tail and rails affect the action of the board on the water. The nose and the tip of the board are either pointed or rounded. Tails can be made squared, squashed, swallow-tailed or diamond-shaped depending on the needs of the surfer. The rails or sides of the board can be made soft (or rounded) or hard (or squared). Broad details like dimensions determine the general character of the board, while intricate design decisions enhance the attitude of the board when pressed by the surfer.
In addition to these characteristics of the board, fin placement, blocks and channels are variants that can be decided upon by the surfer. Each aspect has repercussions when on the water.
Construction materials must also be considered when designing a custom surfboard. Materials such as the fiberglass cloth used to wrap the board can be layered according to the surfer's preference. The foam or body composition of the board ultimately affects the thickness, density and weight of the board and in turn, affects the behavior such as how the board handles and how fast the board moves on the water.
Custom surfboards can be designed from different foams/body materials. Common materials like polystyrene or polyurethane can be substituted with epoxy. In recent years, surfers have started to opt for even lighter materials such as hollow carbon fiber body designs or aluminum.
In surfer circles, shapers are as famed as the men and women who use their boards. Surfboard manufacturers and surf teams alike take great pride in their shapers. Master surfboard craftsmen like Bob Pearson, John Carper, Al Merrick and Eric Arakawa have achieved recognition for their artisanship independently as well as with their board houses.
Depending on the craftsman, a custom surfboard can be quite an investment. Custom surfboard shops charge anywhere between $400 and $600 for shortboards. Funboards run from $500-$600. Longboards can set the buyer back as much as $800. Compared to an off-the-shelf surfboard, custom surfboards are in some cases twice as much as their counterparts.
Surfboards. 2006. riptionary.com. 16 Oct 2006. www.riptionary.com
Surfboards. 2006. Isle Surfboards. 16 Oct 2006. www.islesurfboards.com
Surfboards. 2006. Channel Islands. 16 Oct 2006. www.cisurfboards.com
The Shapers. 2006. Bic Sport. 16 Oct 2006. www.bicsportsurfboards.com
Surfboards. 2006 Schneider Surfboards. 16 Oct 2006. www.schneidersurfboards.com
Surfboards. 2006. Mobley Surfboards. 16 Oct 2006. www.mobleysurfboards.com
Only recently have machine made boards replaced handmade or hand-shaped boards by master surfboard craftsman. Despite the increasing prevalence of machine shaped boards, the shaped-by-hand board is still the preferred expression of the art. Since most surfboards are handmade, almost all surfboards have a custom surfboard feel. Some shops make boards customized to a surfer's specifications.
Those with the experience (and money) may opt for a custom surfboard. Generally, beginning surfers start with used boards as they learn essential surfing skills. Experienced surfers turn to master shapers if they have special requests for boards.
When it comes to custom surfboards, options can range from the types of materials used to cosmetic details like airbrush designs.
The first consideration for the surfer is the preferred style of board. Shortboards, longboards and funboards all have their artisans. Some surfboard customizers also craft hybrid boards like eggs, fishes, and guns.
Additionally, the surfer must decide on board dimensions such as the length, width and thickness of the board. Enhancements to the nose, tail and rails affect the action of the board on the water. The nose and the tip of the board are either pointed or rounded. Tails can be made squared, squashed, swallow-tailed or diamond-shaped depending on the needs of the surfer. The rails or sides of the board can be made soft (or rounded) or hard (or squared). Broad details like dimensions determine the general character of the board, while intricate design decisions enhance the attitude of the board when pressed by the surfer.
In addition to these characteristics of the board, fin placement, blocks and channels are variants that can be decided upon by the surfer. Each aspect has repercussions when on the water.
Construction materials must also be considered when designing a custom surfboard. Materials such as the fiberglass cloth used to wrap the board can be layered according to the surfer's preference. The foam or body composition of the board ultimately affects the thickness, density and weight of the board and in turn, affects the behavior such as how the board handles and how fast the board moves on the water.
Custom surfboards can be designed from different foams/body materials. Common materials like polystyrene or polyurethane can be substituted with epoxy. In recent years, surfers have started to opt for even lighter materials such as hollow carbon fiber body designs or aluminum.
In surfer circles, shapers are as famed as the men and women who use their boards. Surfboard manufacturers and surf teams alike take great pride in their shapers. Master surfboard craftsmen like Bob Pearson, John Carper, Al Merrick and Eric Arakawa have achieved recognition for their artisanship independently as well as with their board houses.
Depending on the craftsman, a custom surfboard can be quite an investment. Custom surfboard shops charge anywhere between $400 and $600 for shortboards. Funboards run from $500-$600. Longboards can set the buyer back as much as $800. Compared to an off-the-shelf surfboard, custom surfboards are in some cases twice as much as their counterparts.
Surfboards. 2006. riptionary.com. 16 Oct 2006. www.riptionary.com
Surfboards. 2006. Isle Surfboards. 16 Oct 2006. www.islesurfboards.com
Surfboards. 2006. Channel Islands. 16 Oct 2006. www.cisurfboards.com
The Shapers. 2006. Bic Sport. 16 Oct 2006. www.bicsportsurfboards.com
Surfboards. 2006 Schneider Surfboards. 16 Oct 2006. www.schneidersurfboards.com
Surfboards. 2006. Mobley Surfboards. 16 Oct 2006. www.mobleysurfboards.com
Featured Custom Surfboard Products:
