Custom made surfboard’s are board’s made to specifications submitted to the surf board manufacturer by the surfer/customer.

If you decide to place an order to have a custom surfboard made. It is vitally important to approach a surfboard manufacturer with a good reputation and credible history within the custom surfboard industry. That way, should your custom board not be what you ordered, or does not function correctly for you, then you can go back to the manufacturer and sort it out the problem. Where as a surfboard manufacturer with no history or reputation to uphold may or may not be so helpful.

Also custom built surfboards do require a far greater knowledge of practical function and various performance levels, so be very careful selecting the right company to place your custom order with. Once you have decided on a manufacturer to produce the surf board for you, give them a comprehensive list of what you want to achieve with your new custom made surfboard, and a brutally honest appraisal of your current surfing ability. It’s also important to mention in which areas of your surfing, you hope to improve.  do not lie, your surfboard will be custom made for you, based on the information you give.

Here is an example of what you need to consider:

• Do you mainly Ride small medium or large waves?
• How do you like to surf; quick short arcs or smooth flowing turns?
• How you want the custom made board laminated and finished?
• Glassing; light, medium or strong?
• Finish; wet sand only, 1/2gloss protec or full polish?
• Spray design; i.e. a design/colour of your choice?

Basically, you are placing a custom order for a surfboard that’s made for you personally to look and function the way you want.

It is advisable to order your custom made surfboard directly from the manufacturer, not through a surf shop as vital information can be misunderstood in translation from shop assistant to manufacturer. A well made surfboard is a work of art, if want to commission a painting you go directly to the artist not the gallery. It is the same with custom made surfboards.

Keep surfi`n

Geoff McCoy

Words of wisdom from Geoff McCoy:-

When you are learning to surf; it’s very important to choose the right beginner surfboard. No matter what your body size, it is absolutely necessary that the beginner’s surfboard you pick is big enough to carry your weight easily, for the beginner floatation is vital.

It is also important that the beginners surfboard has good stability; i.e. It must be wide with a full plan shape. This will minimise the surfboards desire to roll from side to side. You can pick from many soft surfboard constructions available these days that are designed for the purpose of learning. This type of beginner surfboard can take a surfer from learner to being mid range ability. The advantage being the soft board does not do the damage to yourself or others that other harder constructions can do.

Whatever construction you choose the main thing to remember about how to pick a beginner surfboard is this. Select a surfboard that is big enough to do the job. That is a surfboard which is wide, thick and long enough to float you comfortably.

It is very important to minimise the aspect of struggling from the beginners surfing experience.

Remember this; if you are not catching waves you are not surfing.

Surfing is quite difficult to perform, so it is very important to select a surfboard that will enhance your experience rather than restrict it, use common sense when choosing a beginners surfboard, and above all, be practical.

Keep Surfi`n

Geoff McCoy