Of all the surfboards I've ever bought, they have all been "off the rack". I never really cared who made them, as long as i liked what i saw. That being said, i've read lots of stuff on here about local mid-Atlantic shapers who make excellent boards for our types of waves. I've also heard all sorts of "buy-local" philosophies being thrown around, along with people saying that boards shouldn't be cnc machined, etc. SO, bottom line, who should i go to for a good quality east coast, custom, hand-shaped board? I just want to hear some friendly opinions and/or recommendations. Any good experiences with EC businesses? GO!
Jim at Legend Surfboards I got 2 boards from him 6'2 RNF with future set up and a 5'10 Retro twin fin. He makes the best Epoxy boards I have ever ridden. Brian Wynn make outstanding stuff aswell. I have a cpl longboards of his and was very happy with them Both guy know how to listen to what u want and put it in foam and if what you want is something that they know wont work with what you trying to acheive they will explain to you what would be a better alternative
At least this is a positive thread, but this thread...again ...? It's been done already, about 3x over. Winter must be killing you guys. Austin Saunders. Austin Surfboards in VB. The man has the passion & he got mad skills.
all the guys mentioned are excellent shapers & can do you right w/ no worries whatsoever. but it should really come down to where you're located. so ask around, check out local shops (many will have a rack or 2 of boards from at least 1 local shaper), & go w/ someone who is truly local to you. someone who surfs the same waves as you, day in & day out & understands how your waves differ from those found elsewhere. then, when you find the right guy, take a 6 pack out to his factory/shaping shack along w/ the board you love most in your quiver. show it to him & talk about what you like & don't like about how it rides. tell him (or her) where you want to take your surfing along w/ your (truthful) ability level. then let him have at it.
This forum's a good place to start... there could be a very talented shaper in your area... your profile says your from Delmarva. Surf shops that take custom orders could have a shaper who's local, or they might send out orders to somebody who's not. nj42's got it right... ask around. Find a guy who's willing to spend some time talking to you. If there's good communication and understanding between the two of you, and if you've seen his work and like it, and you can agree on a reasonable turnaround time and price, you have a very good chance of getting a board that will work BETTER for you than anything off the rack.
Every shaper listed so far is top notch. Brian Wynn and Jim from Legend are closer to the NJ area and awesome guys to deal with. Austin creates some of the coolest retro looking boards around. I'm also a big fan of Tim Nolte out of OBX. His glass work may be the best kept secret on the East Coast. http://www.timnoltesurfboards.com/ Tim Nolte http://www.austinsurfboards.com/index.htm Austin http://www.wynnsurfboards.com/ Wynn http://homepage.eircom.net/~legendsurfboards/thanks.html Legend SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHAPER
Both Wynn and Legend are good boards for south Jersey. great guys to deal with and shape to our waves. For MD/DE, Jon Ashton is the way to go. I've been riding his boards since 1984 and have yet to get one that is poorly made.
I've gotten several good custom boards from Jon Ashton in West OCMD and Mike Hague in Lewes, Delaware. Ashton's been vacuum bagging EPS-epoxy boards lately and one i checked out last fall on the beach seemed really strong and light.
I've seen Xon out riding his own little fish shapes a bunch of times, he rips, and is a really nice guy. I also know a couple people who have bought his boards, and they seem happy with them. Walden was ripping up small waves on a little 5'6" XYZ fish a good part of last year. I think he's really got the little snub nosed/round nose fish thing down.
lynn also shapes w/ scott busby under the in the eye label now & then. i think he also does the natural arts for that shop as well.
x2 on Lynn Shell, got a used In the Eye as my first board and it was awesome... Also Greg Geiselman of Orion makes great shapes.
Thats cause he was once based out of Ireland. He is Legend Jim on this forum you can pm him there or pm me you contact info and I can pass it along to him . I talk to him very often
