Board Building for a Newbie

General Discussion
1

I’ll just come out and say it, I have never surfed before in my life.

I have always wanted to and this summer will have the opportunity to spend an entire week at the ocean(it’s like 4 hours away) learning and then getting better at the sport of surfing. Problem is, I don’t have a board, It’s too expensive to buy one, and I’m too afraid of having to buy the board that I rented because I destroyed it. The solution for this problem seems easy, in theory anyway, to me. I’ve decided to build a board. I’ve been getting mixed responses, some say ‘what do you need a surfboard for?’, the answer while simple enough, never seems to be enough, I respond, ‘I’m gonna learn how to surf with it.’ I’ve been doing lots of research, and I think that as far as books go, I have a decent understanding of a how a board works. I have already pruchased, read, and re-read ‘essential surfing’, I have watched shaping 101 several times now. The only thing is I have absolutely no hands on experience with surfing or shaping. I do have more than adequate experience in both sanding, and fiberglassing.

Am I crazy for attemting this, is it even a good idea, Will it be an utter failure, or is it possible that it looks nice, rides decently, and provides me with an avenue for getting hooked on this lifestyle called surfing? I am intensely interested in what you all have to say, as you know infinetly more about surfing, and shaping for that matter that I will probably ever know. Thank you.

-Willi

2

Don’t listen to nay-sayers; give it your best shot, keep the board lines simple and clean, it may just turn out to be a great board, and/or you may change your life forever.

Don’t make it too small or you’ll have a hard time learning…

Good luck & don’t hesitate to ask questions here.

3

Seattle,

Do it. Great idea. I bet by the end of your four weeks you’ll be looking for a place to live closer to your new addiction. mike

4

shaping 101 is a valuable tool for someone considering learning how to shape a board, but the majority of surfboard design/construction comes from years of experience of riding different boards with different characteristics and noting how different features perform in different conditions. my advice to you is to buy a used or low-cost surfboard that will effectively teach you to ride. either a longboard or a thick fun-shape. it will greatly increase the probability that you’ll have a positive learning experience with surfing. otherwise, you’ll likely get discouraged and give up on something really great. whatever you decide to do…best of luck. and if you think the most reasonable avenue is to go ahead and give a crack at shaping your own, the archives and people around here will be a valuable resource.

5

Hey Willi,

Ah jeez, another poor Seattle guy. I haven’t shaped yet (no space, live in a studio here in Seattle), but have been following Swaylock’s for a couple of years now, so I might be able to offer a thought. The new blanks are blown really close tolerance, so if you choose the right one, you don’t have to take too much off, can keep it pretty close to the original dimensions. Coincidentally, I had called Fiberglass supply in Bingen (Columbia River gorge - check out their website) last week, and they can actually ship everything you need to Monroe, so it will save you a drive/shipping costs. Check the threads here, particularly one on minimum tools, and that combined with talking with the guy at Fiberglass supply should pretty well give you the idea of what you need. About all you need for VERY basic shaping is a cheese grater and enough time, seems like.

You could pick up a used board, and those soft tops that rental places usually have are pretty well indestructible, but I think shaping is a great idea. You ought to be able to make something ridable. Check out shapes at Cheka Looka on Eastlake to get an idea what you want to do. Jeff, the owner, is a great guy.

Mike (aka Rooster) is right - you will get hooked. But living so far away is a killer. Gets only worse over time. -Moss

6

Wow, Thank you all so very much. First off thanks for the tips, links, hints and what not. I was planning on purchasing the necessary materials from fiberglass suplly like you suggested. Unfortunately it’s a good 250 miles from here and they close at 4:00 as well as not being open on the weekends, makes it pretty difficult for a fellow to go down and ask some questions, huh? I will find out how to have them ship it to Monroe, that’s definitely a lot closer. I’m sorry but 60 dollars for shipping just hurts too much, although it would cost between 40 and 50 dollars on gas alone to get there and back, so…

As far as the board itself goes I was thinking about a ‘Hybrid’ style. A full on long board would be the best to learn on, at least that’s what I have surmised, but a 9 to 10 foot board is just a little bit too big for me. I think short boards look coolest, but understand that I will in all likely hood never really get up on one, until I have tried something longer, in order to get the hang of it. The hybrid seems to be the most feesible of all the other styles, it still has a ‘sporty’ look, while being quite stable and easy to paddle(if I’m wrong at any point, please let me know, nothing I can stand less than ignorance) I also believe that I will use 50/50 rails, or I guess they’re also called egg rails. I was told that a flot bottom was very “greasy and fast” I have also been told that a double concave shape is the most forgiving. Thoughts on these two ideas? Second I beleive I will go with about an 8’6" blank in order to support my height and weight and to aid in paddleing. I have also discovered that the less you take off a blank the better, and stonger they become, or remain, depending on how you look at it. Hence, I don’t think I’ll do to much to the rocker, also I was told that the rocker curves are like secret family recipes and as such were closely guarded trade secrets, any suggestions? The tail I would like to use is a ‘rounded square’. It has the most surface area, so it should help with turns and stabilty; am I right so far? I would probably go with a 1+2 fin design with the two outside fins being angled inward 5 degrees. The center fin would probably be 6" while the outside two would be 4" or 4.5", again any thoughts, comments, or suggestions? Also I plan on falling. A lot. So i think I’m going to need a very sturdy and stong board. As far as fiberglass goes, I was thinking 1 layer of 6oz on the bottom with a 2 layers of 6oz on top. I have been told different things, by different people, one guy said that he has one layer of 10oz on the bottom with two layers of 6oz on the top, with the rear two thirds being covered in one layer of 4.5oz cloth. Is a less is more mentality true, or is it it better to make it bomb proof?

One last time, thank you for your encouargement and help, I’m sure I’ll have plenty more questions, so knowing that I have a resource here is very reasuring.

-Willi

7

Willi,

These guys are the masters, and they could tell you for sure, but that all looks really good to me. If you haven’t done so already, you can download the Clark foam blank catalog from Fiberglass supply. There’s an 8’8" E (Mike Eaton) and 8’9" B (Bruce Jones) that would probably work well in the range that you’re thinking of.

Yikes, the fins! That’s the part I’m thinking will be the most difficult to do right. First-time and budget-wise , I don’t know if you’re thinking of glassing them on. Although daunting, a fin box would give you a range of movement for the center fin, and interchangability further down the line when you would notice the difference. Fiberglass supply carries the fins unlimited center boxes.

As for the surfing: you probably already know: do ANYTHING you can to try to get your paddling strength up before you go. It’ll make a big difference once you get down there. And in general: if it’s smaller and somewhat clean surf, you can find alternative spots to Westport. Must have been 200 people out at Westhaven two weeks ago. 8-10 at each decent peak. Lotsa chances for dings. Check out further down toward Willapa bay - lotsa lonely workable peaks on small days. Good luck.

  • Moss.
8

I like your enthusiasm. And your dream, to build the board… Keep that dream. But don’t bite off more than you can chew before this first surf trip. It’s a major undertaking and you want to take your time and do your best work. A lot of good advice came through…Brandon, for instance, about maybe buying the low-cost or used board to begin with. So true about riding different boards and how the perform in different conditions. So much for you to learn about that first. Then create your board. So much for you to learn about the ocean . It never ceases to amaze me how many surfers are out there that do not even understand what a riptide is, or what to do to get out. Also, be sure you know some things about surfing etiquette. We are all clueless when we first go out. Another good trick for a beginner, besides building up arm strength, is to lay face down on the floor, and practice jumping up to a standing position (not knees first) It will become automatic when you are out there on your board.

   Keep the spirit and keep the dream.. I know you will be building more than one board in the future.                                    Wishing you great surf!  Angel
9
Quote:

It never ceases to amaze me how many surfers are out there that do not even understand what a riptide is, or what to do to get out. Also, be sure you know some things about surfing etiquette. We are all clueless when we first go out. Another good trick for a beginner, besides building up arm strength, is to lay face down on the floor, and practice jumping up to a standing position (not knees first) It will become automatic when you are out there on your board.

that couldn’t be more true. there is a really good resource available to you at Surfline.com. there’s a “learn to surf in 7 easy steps” page, and also a feature on etiquette called “the bill of rights and lefts”. both should help you out with the knowledge aspect of things, and also the practical application. good luck!!!

10

seattle surfer, I have surfed for along time and always wanted to make my first board. I finished it last Monday and took it to someone to have it glassed. I am HOOKED! I am going back to the Clark warehouse on 7/5 and get another blank.I would be there today but they are closed. The guys on this forum have so much knowledge! I have been lurking for awhile to pick up anything I can from them. They are truly the teachers! I did buy the shaping 101 dvd and it is very enlightening. I know I will learn from my mistakes as I go along and the first one that I will fix is to make a better set of shaping stands. During the 150 grit sanding of my board I leaned a little to hard and pushed over the stand under the nose. Needless to say I had to reblend the area that recieved the damage but it wasn’t that bad. Just my first lesson of many anticipated errors in the art of learning how to shape. I will close with “just do it, it all works!” and good luck!

11

Cool. I have just checked out the ‘how to surf in 7 steps’ I know it’s sounds easy, but I think I’ve got the hang of it. At least in my mind. On the water I’m sure it will be an entirely different story. I’ve been around the water my entire life, I’ve even sailed to hawaii, rom that I think I’ve gained a pretty god about of knowledge as to how tides, currents and rips work, so, I’m not to concerened about that, If I head out and I get sucked way down the beach, I’m gonna damn sure head in as fast as I can. I think this is where building my own board can be a bit of a mental reminder to take it easy, and not really try anything that I might be more inclined to try on a different board. I will review the etiquette of surfing, but I can easily see myself letting everyone go before me. As to th location, I’m actually going to one of the north beaches, valled pacific beach. I have been told that they are very uncrowded, almost desolate compared to the south beaches(ocean shores, westport…). I had been planning on glassing the fins on. They are not adjustable that way, right?

In contrast a finbox would allow me to move the center fin forward and back, which helps with stability and turning, correct? Honestly though, at this point, I’m not sure how much turning I’ll really be doing. The more I think about it the less glassing on the fins scares me. I built a small stitch and glue sailboat a few years back and beleive me if there’s one thing I can do well with fiberglass, it’s make to make a fillet. I also learned how to get the right amount of epoxy on the glass.

Some questions I still have, and would really appreciate any answers to are:

What type of fin design should I use? How big should the fin/s be

Should I try to make, or use a fin box?

What weight fiberglass should I use? For the top? For the bottom? Do I need mulitple layers?

What rails would be best?

I think that’s it for now, and thank you all again.

-Willi

12

Seattle,

I live in Port Angeles and would be more than happy to share my experience with you on shaping and surfing.

I have a couple boards under my belt and know the area extremely well. I wouldn’t mind showing you how I do it…

Keep on researching.

Zosurf.

13 
Go and build a wooden one, foam boards contain toluene di isocyanate and other nasties which are not only toxic to the user but are destroying the earth's atmosphere. Foam boards are ok as trick boards but for real surfing get some large heavy wooden object a la the duke.  

That way you can also ride tiny waves that no one else wants. There are lots of plans around for wooden boards on the net. Using wood you won't stink out your neighbours with polyester resin. I often think that the reason the surf industry has stagnated is because all the shapers have been sniffing too much resin.  

I've got some plans for you if you are keen.   

Roy 

P.S. Here's a surf etiquette tip: catch every wave you can, and remember that your body already knows how to surf.

https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/1000782_foilboardpics%20053#.jpg

14

HOLY ROCKER!!! Whats up with the rocker in that pic? Looks like 1/5 of a wheel!

Foam or wood or papermache. I think you are on the right track to make your own board.

15

Roy- Thank you for the offer. I’m not sure about building a wooden board. Part of the impetus for this project was the low cost and reletively small time investment. I may be wrong, but building a wooden board would take much more time, as well as being quite expensive. Please tell me if I am wrong, but wouldn’t I need a larger board to support the same weight compared to a foamcore board? I would still love to see the plans though.

Zo- Thank you to you as well. I am definietly interested in learning more, about shaping as well as surfing in the area. Any information that you can gather and email me would be appreciated. My address is

Everyone else who has offered any suggestions or encouargement is worthy of thanks in my book.

Some questions I still have, and would really appreciate any answers to are:

What type of fin design should I use? How big should the fin/s be

Should I try to make, or use a fin box?

What weight fiberglass should I use? For the top? For the bottom? Do I need mulitple layers?

What rails would be best?

-Willi
16

Yes well . . Cheap and quick is usually nasty as well. The cheapest and quickest way to get a board is to buy a second hand one. By the time you buy the positive pressure respiration unit you are going to need to prevent your brain cells dissolving in polyester fumes you might as well buy a new board. I suppose you will figure it all out for yourself in time, or not.

Roy

P.S. Of course you need a bigger board if it’s timber! Try looking for the lost writings of Don Redondo alias DK (not Duke Kahanamoku or Daniel Kereopa) Try wwww.///donredonoteachescornflakethesurfstomp.co/mexico.html

But seriously if you want to check out what I’ve got then go to www.woodensurfboardbuilder.com and good luck with your project.

17

Hello ZoSurf,

what you are looking at in that picture is the X-15, and it is 14’9" long. What’s up with the rocker is that there is 9 inches of it, but what you can’t see in the picture is how much the rocker increases when this 2 inch thick object flexes. In fact it is quite deceptive because the rocker apex is 30% back from the nose and the 10 foot long tail is therefore relatively flat. This thing is the fastest board I have ever ridden.

Actually the wheel goes on the bottom. (see picture) Roy

https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/1000785_scan0014#.jpg

18

Seattle

   I myself have been told that I was biting off more than could chew, but it did not ruffle my feathers a bit. Your shear determination will get you there.  Some people do their best work under pressure.     Good luck.
19

OK Seattle, I see from your response that you are very ocean savvy. Good! But that current which you are referring to is a longshore current. A simple little annoyance which we all deal with from time to time. A rip current is something you need to understand. It was the best bit of information my teacher, who grew up surfing Redondo, gave me. It saved my life. Of course, now you have your boards attached to you and that is great advantage, but still, knowing and understanding what is happening will keep you in complete control of the situation. I thank Brandon for backing me up on this. His information about going to surfline.com is the best. Part II of the school explains the riptides perfectly and what to do. It could be the single best bit of information you’ll get. It may not happen to you, it may be another swimmer who hasn’t got a clue what is happening , but you can help because you understand exactly what is happening and what to do. Always take a back-up though.

                                                               Good Luck   Angel
20

of all the websites on my pc,none are as entertaining as swaylocks…no wonder jimthegenius spends so much time on it!