Well, I’m a dad now. Proud papa of a little wahine. If I live vicariously through her the way I want to we’re looking at the 2025 women’s world champ, ha ha. I know it’s early for her but I was just wandering if anyone is familiar with shaping children’s boards. You know, the kind that dudes like Nathan Florence ride. I’ve decreased dimensions through percentages but they just don’t look right on paper. Any ideas would be welcome. Thanks.
Congrats. I’m right behind you. I’ve never seen in person or in photos but I’m pretty sure Walden makes kids versions of their boards. You might be able to coax some dimensions out of them by phone.
I worked for a guy who made a lot of kids boards, some became national champs. Scaling a standard board down didn’t really work, bottom curves and width needed to be adjusted. Don’t put too much rocker, and don’t lose too much width, the rest is pretty standard.
I’ve been through the whole daughter surfer thing. You have to be SUPER careful not to put them on a board that is not right for them or they will get frustrated and not want to surf anymore. The first board I shaped her is still her favorite. She got it when she was 7 and now she’s 13. 7 foot egg. tri fin with Protek fins. I think it’s around 14 1\2 nose,
21 wide and 14 1\2 tail. We put some Hawaiian fabric on it and I had my airbrusher put some Dolphins on it. Easy to ride. Longboards for kids are too much board. Shortboards the opposite.
Good luck and enjoy your daughter’s early years. THEY GROW UP FAST!!!
C
Well, it will be a while before she’s ready for surfing. I took my daughter out starting when she was two and a half, wearing water wings and over her initial fear of getting her face wet. First on my 8-0, then later a 10-3 I made for tandem riding.
The go through phases with surfing. I can’t say my older really “took” to it, but together we had a lot of fun times. Started her off prone, between my arms, on six inch waves. Later, more confidence, up to knee-high (on me) and helping her stand up. Then pick her up in my arms, then sit her on my shoulders, finally standing on my shoulders (age 8) hootin and hollerin at everyone paddling back out. “look at meeeeee… I’m surfinnnnnnggggg!!!” What a kick.
I offered to make her a board, and for some time she resisted. She realized that she’d have to paddle it herself.
Some time after that she got more social and didn’t go out as much with me, and though disappointed, you can’t force these things. I have since made her a couple boards, but the one she likes best is a beater we picked out of someone’s trash and patched up a little. It’s your standard disposable shop potato chip, but she’s only 120 pounds so it holds up for limited use now.
I’m building my nine year-old daughter a board this summer. I’m using a 6’0"R superlight blank. I plan to glass it 4 - 4/4 and put a single, glassed-on keel. No sharp points on anything. Nice round disk with soft rails, turned down/tucked under in the back.
With that said, she is more interested in the color scheme.
Have fun!