I want to purchase a custom longboard for my fiance as a wedding gift and am having difficulty determining what board/which shaper would be best to choose for this task. My fiance is an intermediate 33 yr. old surfer, 5’10" and 180 lbs. He’s been stuck in Manhattan for the past few years, so he’s only been surfing when he travels to the likes of Cali or Costa Rica 6-10 times a year.
Now he’s moved to San Francisco where he surfs either Pacifica or Bolinas. But more often than not, we find ourselves spending a lot of time in San Diego (where its warmer waters) surfing Sunset Cliffs, Tourmolene (to accomodate my beginner skills), Cardiff, Tamarack, etc. I know that often everyone says to go with a local shaper, but the problem is that its more often we leave the Bay Area for surf trips because frankly we’re too old to freeze our asses off every weekend. So I really want to try and get him a board that is not specifically made for one area so that he can travel with it. Both beach and reef breaks, 4-7 footers. Something that paddles nicely, but has some maneuverability and is not just a huge log in the water.
I’ve been given the following suggestions, but it’s just really difficult to differentiate between these shapers, as to who would be best for my needs: Hynson Surfboards, Stewart, Donald Takayama, Tyler Surfboards, Bob Pearson, Robert August, and Mike Eaton. I know ultimately, two different boards would be best to accomodate all that I am desiring for the board, but i’ve barely got the money to spend on the one.
Although this is a wedding gift, I don’t want this board to be made as a collectors item. I want a board made to be ridden. Please help me! I need to get this going pronto.
What type of board are you looking for? That will help narrow down the search.
Add Michel Junod to your list. He’s in Santa Cruz at 831 427 0712. Can’t do too much better than that. Check out some of his (more retro style because of the shop) boards at Mullosk in SF - 41st and Irving.
Yeah, John Schultze is a good choice. Mollusk usually has some nice Bing Lightweights or Silver Spoons that would fit your needs right off the rack. Edit: Kendall, I think Mollusk is actually on Irving at 46th or 48th, not 41st. 41st…maybe you’re thinking of the Point
Sounds like you guys need to spend a little more time in Santa Cruz as well. Lots of shapers there who can make very versatile longboards - Haut, Rice, Junod, Arrow, GP, Indicator, Bob Miller, Joey Thomas… and the prices are going to be better than more than half your list. SC also has water usually 5* warmer than anything north of Pacifica, and the fog burns off earlier leaving warmer air as well. When I want to wear trunks in the summer, that’s as far as I need to go - its a heck of a lot closer than San Diego!
Spend a couple weekends surfing Cowells, 38th, Capitola…look at what boards people are riding and ask questions about versatility, quality, price. People love to talk about their surfboards!
Edit: Kendall, I think Mollusk is actually on Irving at 46th or 48th, not 41st. 41st...maybe you're thinking of the Point :)
Even though I live in SF, I get lost every time I look for Mullosk. I just drive around until I bump into it.
My vote is for Michel. He just got back into town after a month-long surf trip off the coast in Africa with Alex Knost and Rasta, shooting a Tomas Campbell film. He’s a great shaper, a very fluid surfer (just got sponsored by Honolua), and a heck of a nice guy. His boards are beautiful, he’s accessable, and he’s got room in his order book. I ordered a custom 9’6" noserider for my girlfriend’s birthday… she LOVES the board… and she gets massive compliments every time she takes it out. The thing surfs insane… and I generally don’t like old-school noseriders.
If you call him, tell him Kendall sent you… he may cut you a deal (or charge you extra).
Here’s Michel with a 6’4" quad I just picked up last week (sorry I don’t have photos of the longboards):
Abrose hit it on the head .Tell him your buying him a board
Ask him what he wants . Not that he wouldn’t appreciate coming home and finding a new board . But there’s something special in deciding what your next board will be. My wife did this for me one year for x-mas . Took me a whole month going back and forth on what I wanted before I placed a order . I drew out numerous paint schemes got on the phone and asked some question’s. I ended up with a Rusty 8ft dessert Island C5 which I use in place of a gun when the waves get big. Had to drive down to San Diego to pick it up. What a blast the whole thing was. Most of my quiver is from local shapers but I wanted that Rusty.
call up michel junod and make an appointment to come in to his shop and deduce what would be the perfect board. then, bring your fiance to michel (without telling him where you’re going). he’ll be surprised, and waaayyyyy stoked, i’m sure. they can sit down together and talk about what would make the perfect board.
Tourmaline to Sunset cliffs? Been living surfing shaping here for awhile. Come by OB surf and skate, 4881 newport ave, Ocean Beach/san diego you/he can watch me shape it. ACE
First off I have to say that a great many guys on this site would agree that you will be the greatest kind of wife a surfer could hope to have. he is a very lucky guy!
To your question, I have surfed Takayama, Stewart, Yater and Bruce Jones shapes (among others) over the years. All of these guys are unquestionably great shapers. I would give Bruce a call, though, at his shop in Sunset (Seal) Beach (ask to speak with him directly). He is a very easy guy to talk with, and he shapes all sizes and types of boards, including customs. Tell him how your fiancee likes to surf, and he could give you some good recommendations. Also, his website portrays shots of his whole inventory. www.brucejones.com
