So I am off to build my second surfboard for my neighbors birthday. He is 10 years old and has been riding a foamie from costco for about 6 months. He now wants a real surfboard for his birthday and asked me to build it for him. I dont know what shape or how big a board I should make him but I think I should build him some egg in the high 5’s/low 6’s. Probably a three fin but I am not sure yet. Any suggestions?
I built a 5’5" single fin egg for my 10 year old daughter 10 years ago (time flies). It worked well and I still have it. No sharp edges, one plastic fin that I dulled.
Adam,
Give him something to grow into. Something he can (should) surf for at least two or three seasons. I’d make him a single fin Egg, six feet long, by 19 or 20 inches wide. Use an FU box, so that fin size and position can be varied. As he grows, the board becomes ‘‘shorter’’ and ‘‘floats’’ less, in relation to his body mass. Make sense to you?
Gunkies safety ideas very important. No points, hard edges, corners. Soft shapes everywhere. Side bite fins are more sharpness and near the possible body rubbing edge, a single rubberized ProTect fin should work just fine. A beginner, I’m one frequently, never even feels the benefits of all the hard, sharp edges used for performance. The parents and the builder will rest easier knowing the youngster is buffered from unneeded dangers.
Agree with all above. Nice round eggy shape. Here’s a 5’8" x 20 something. I did recently for a little kid. Looks like it would be really fun even for me. Very versatile little board. Nice and wide up front for easy wave catching and stability but not too wide of a tail so it can be turned by a little guy.
Yea I think it is agreat idea to build something eggy in the Low six foot range about 20 inches wide. The board will be usable for her entire life that way. At first it is a midlenth (for a 10 yr old) and as they grow it will become more of a shortboard. should be awesome! I wish I got custom surfboards for my birthday!!!
Thanks for all the responses and I will definetly stay away from the hard edges. What fin setup should I use? Thruster or 2+1? Thanks
Up to you. I chose thruster because it’s simpler. Quicker fin install and less expensive for you and the user as well.
Adam,
Did you miss the part where I suggested a single fin? Give the kid a chance to develop a wider range of skill. Maybe after one year, you can drop in some side fins, for a change of pace.
Single fin for sure.
I would like to just put a single fin box in but I am worried he may not like it as he is just a beginner. I think I will add side boxes just in case.