Does anyone know anything about the Pearson Arrow CJ Nelson model?
Im looking for a noserider for under the 1000 dollar mark, any other suggestions?
the only thing i really know about the cj nelson model is that Benny is really into it. he will be here soon.
if you are near ventura, dennis ryder has a model called the imperial which is pretty insane. mine should be done within a week or two. it has the sickest rocker i have ever seen, and its under a G. hes a legend and if you aren’t into the imperial im sure he can make you anything you want. hes one of the best shapers out there, period. www.dennisryder.com
An amazing and truly fun board. I have ridden several of the different versions and they all were great. Where are you? The Arrow Shop in Santa Cruz had several last time I was in. If I was buying a new nose rider that is what I would buy. Carl Olsen, a sway regular, shapes many of them for Arrow. 9’9" is the magic number. Carl, are you around?
Basically a thickened weber performer with a lot of tail kick. Big dimensions with a very smooth blened concave. I’ve seen the last 3 to 4 of his personal boards, surfed a few and feel they are the best noserider around. However, they don’t do much else. A myopic board. CJ surfs his board better than anyone else. If you want one, call the ARROW SHOP and ask for a custom one…they will run you around $700.
Like Steiny said, it’s Carl’s baby. He’s shaped well over 1000 of them.
What he told me about it is, anything works, as long as it’s wide. And he doesn’t say wide unless he means it. 
That magic 9’9 is probably 19.75" nose - 24/5" middle - 17" tail - and only 2.75" thick. Draw those dims out on your sidewalk with chalk and if you think you’d like it, call the Arrow factor during high tide and tell Bridget that you need to talk to Carl
Hey hey, if you are looking to purchase one, call Arrow (831-462-2791) and order one, they are a stock model. If you want to make any modifications to the design, ask to talk to Bob. The CJ model is Bob Pearson’s baby, not mine. I just work there. …Although If you want a really wide CJ-style noserider, I would be happy to accommodate! …in that case, feel free to ask for me when you call Arrow. Sorry boys, politics politics! -Carl
Hey Carl- The pink fin on the red dot board works really well- thanks! Steiny
I am down near Malibu. I’m trying to decide between the CJ Nelson model, a Nuuhiwa Noserider, and a Cooperfish Device. The latter two are about $500 more that the CJ Nelson, and that does make a difference, especially if the ride is comparable.
On a different vein, Dan-O has a model, the PigGnar Breadbasket, its an interesting looking shape, like the old 60’s pigs. Has anyone ridden one or heard anything about it?
I’ve surfed all 4 boards you speak of grasshopper. They are all good, all made by some of the best shapers in the business. Dan-o’s pignard is a modified malibu pig. I’ve surfed 2 versions…1 of which is Stein-dog’s board. He rips it. That is a special tool board that I suggest surfing before you buy. I liked it but did not think it was better than the CJ for noseriding. The concept was a Thomas Campbell project…he has since moved to local shaper Junod who is now making both Pignards and Pigpins(pintail version). I have one coming soon. “The Device” is very specific and a tricky board to ride. Gene will even make sure you know what you are getting into before he will make one for you. Check one out first…a lot of interesting things going on with that shape. You will wait a long time for one. Out of all 4 boards, I would buy a CJ because they work so well. Go buy “Another State of Mind”…a new CJ surf flick…you can see that board put to the test. CJ is King!
Hope that helps. Cheers.
Carl, you’ve got to get Bob to stop making them too thin before I’ll recommend his over yours! I know he wants all the boards from his shop to be fast, but noseriders need a little drag & a little foam
Spiccolilives, I’ve ridden CJ models, Nuuhiwas, and a Device. For my money, I’d take the CJ, as long as you can convince someone to put an extra cap of glass over the finbox. There seems to be an epidemic of boxknockoutitis in those things. Of course, I surf over a lot of rocks 
well, its hard to go wrong with any of those choices. If cost is a main issue go with the CJ, call the factory, order a clear one with volan and gloss coat (9’9" is the magic number). Cap the finbox or get a glass-in. There was a nice 10’ CJ on bay area craigslist a week or two ago for $500 maybe it is still there.
As to the pignar, not everyone loves riding pigs but I do and so does trimglide. riding that has got me back on my '64 weber and looking at yard sales for other pigs. the pignar noserides better than you would think with such a narrow nose. the trim and glide on it is wild. My self criticism would be that I switch between boards too much rather than just rding one thing and dialing it in. I owned a early device and it did amazing things, I learned a lot from it, but with a bad back and middling skills never got it fully dialed. Whatever choice you make will work out fine.
Mr Glide- you are too kind, I don’t rip the pignar but I sure have fun on it. The cove has been fun- see you there tonight?
Just my two cents. I’ve been ridden a pig for the last two years and before that I’ve surfer a wide nose noserider. On my pig the nose is 16" and the tail is 16.5" with belly all the way. Because of the narrower nose it holds up better in the hollower waves like beach breaks. Where as the wider nose boards for me tend to be a little wobbly. With the hips pulled back on the pig, about 12" back from center, it’s like power steering. You just need a wider fin to hold the tail in.
Steiny, it was nice meeting you Saturday evening at the top of Cowell’s.
I really like the whole package of the CJ board as a competent nose rider.
I think the CJ gets overlooked when compared to the other nose riders out there. It’s right at the top of my list and I have to agree with Benny’s remark - I too need a bit more foam in the thing for my tastes.
Not to hijack the thread but I’m a big pig and a pig fan as well. I’ve ridden Velzy’s original version, his last incarnation before his passing and a bunch of other pigs in between. Jim Phillips made me a pig about two years ago that I just enjoy the snot out of. It’s the board I take everywhere. I like the narrow nose work and big rear end - the nose stays high and dry without sliding out and for me turning it is a little bit of body english. In the hands of a really good surfer (like TWegener) they are incredible machines. I’d really like to jump on the DanO pignar one day as well as some others and perhaps build another Phillips pig but do it in balsa.
Murphy down here in San Diego makes a good pig as well. I did hear the CJ nelson model is a great NR and not much else, but if that siw hat you ant it for and the price is right, why not.
They all sound so perfect. If only money were no issue. One shaper i forgot to mention i was thinking about was Takayama. How much is a Model T going for these days?
I like my noseriders thin, like walking a platform. I like the way the rail and tail holds when up front.
Does anyone know anyone who has a pig for sale or available for me to try near mailbu? I am sure the answer is ‘no’ but its worth a try i suppose.
Sorry, not near Malibu. I am sure someone will correct me here but the D. Takayama’s ain’t cheap (at least off the racks.) I see them going for slightly less than the Joel Tudor boards (and I thnk there is a few post complaining about those prices.) My buddy has a Murphy California Classic Noserider and he seems to love it. I think the Colin mcphillips Stearst model is pretty thin (at least I think) with harder rails but that is more of a HP longboard though I got some good noserides in steeper surf with it.
Hi Spicolli,
Slightly off topic of a CJ Nelson model, but thought it may still be in the realm of what you may be looking for.
Pearson Spear on eBay. It’s in California too but my California geography is not so good to tell if it is close to you or not. (Malibu to Hermosa beach?)
-Cam
Edit: I noticed the seller on eBy said he has 25 for sale and to drop him an email - price looks good too.
Hey Spicolli- The Arrow that is on ebay is excellent and a fantastic price. The seller (Leo) is a super decent guy. I,too, saw Dane surf that contest at Malibu and it was among the best longboard surfing I’ve ever seen. I have a Dane shaped Arrow that is my daily board and I love it. My son has a Dane shaped noserider that is tops. Check out that board on ebay and contact the seller- he’ll give you the skinny on good noseriders and was selling a CJ a while ago
All of these boards are great.
Another to consider is the Harmonic 67’ made by Wayne Rich. It evolved from the Oliver Parker Model . Oliver and Jim Gamboa both won the Malibu Nose Riding Contest on this one. He’s in Santa Barbara and is shaping and glassing independently now.
And if you’re at Malibu, you really owe it to yourself to try out some of the Anderson shapes. The Farberow model or the Malibu Long Division are both wave-specific and great deals for the price…
My buddy Rick has a bunch of Anderson shapes, PM me if you want his email…