local shapers vs big names..

[Carpark King]

95% of my surfboards have been from local shapers, who's clientele mostly involve people from the surrounding area and boardriding clubs etc..
Im thinking of getting a 'big name' next time i get a board, ie a chilli or JS or something similar, maybe even off the rack.

What are your guys thoughts on this? should you stick to the $450 local shaper boards, or ride boards that are ridden by some of the top pro's...

?

cheers

[bro]

My local shapers are Chilli, Simon, Webber and Warner etc there is a reason why these guys boards are under the best feet in the world, get one and find out but get a custom

[iggy]

^^ depends on lots of things

a} how good is your local shaper (some are pretty good)
b} what is your ability level
c} what do you want out of your board (think about it)
d} budget

if your looking for top quality, then go for shapers like

Allan Byrne > http://www.byrningspears.com/
Gunther Rohn > http://www.guntherrohn.com/mainpage.htm
Jim Banks > http://www.jimbanksurf.com/
Mick Mackie > http://www.mackiesurfboards.com.au/
Steve Walden > http://www.waldensurfboards.com/ (USA based - though stocked locally - longboards etc)

^^ speak to them (if possible) and order a custom, and always be upfront about your ability and what you want out of your board and surfing etc...

spend the $$$ for a Ferrari and get it glassed strong so it will last... besides the extra bit of weight will serve you well for developing power and for momentum with your surfing...

but... then again... it all depends on what you're 'into'...

my work's done here

[brendo]

its the old saying, horses for courses..

if your on a good thing stick to it. why change if your happy with your current boards?

iggy has gunther on his list, and i rode 3 of his boards about 13yrs ago. 2 were ok, the third was the worst board i ever owned looking back. at the time i just thought i was having off days often, but one surf i jumped on a mates board (shaped by mark plater) and was instantly surfing better. i went in, went straight to the shop, and they gave me a board cheap off the rack. after a couple of months i went and saw mark for a custom and still ride his boards today. out of 30+ boards i have honestly only ever had 2-3 ordinary ones. im not bagging gunther, i just dont think his boards suited my surfing.

ive thought of gettin a big name board, then i think why???

if you have a good relationship with your shaper, and he knows how you surf and what you want in a board, why go back to scratch?

hence ill ride marks boards till he retires, or my body packs it in....

[salty]

Dahlbergs are my favorite boards. I've had a dozen of them and not one has let me down. As far as I concerned they're gaurenteed to work. The one I have at the mo is the best ever. Single concave 6 x 18 x 2 rounded pin. I can't endorse his boards enough. Never had a custom from him and have always bought off the rack. No need to get a custom for me as I'm just going to order the same one when this one dies (I hope that's possible).

My second fav shaper is Gunther. I've had four of his boards and I've never been disapointed. I have one of his at the moment too. Single concave 6'2" x 18.25 x 2.25 rounded square. Went sweet in Indo last year.

[matt...]

the last Gunther Rohn board i had was a T&C from 1985 !!
Great board, went like a rocket and was very loose. It was a good board in the years when I was spreading my wings, surfing more spots and a turning point in my ability.

These days...
i've just aquired a Chilli - awesome board, great glass job.
that replaced a Sam Egan - great shape & went unreal, but i snapped it in the winter solid swells...
in between i was surfing an old Gary Harrison custom from a few years ago - another great board, then & now. Unfortunatley i creased it in 2 places a month ago.
i have a Flying High Indo semi-gun, Rod Rose shape from Taree, which goes great in indo & solid point waves
i have a 7'0" Aloha GRC shape from quite a few years ago, but it works in the big stuff and has never let me down...
and a mal (wave signature) from John Sojoski...
i've had shapes from NEV, Chris Goulding, Tony Serf, Stuart D'Arcy, The Buzz which have all worked well for me in years gone by...

so, in summary a mixture of big names and locals - but a common theme - whatever works for you...

[Mr_momo_32]

if you can get a big shaper to do it himself then i would all the way,
im not so sure greg webber shapps all his boards seeing as you see so many around including epoxy boards...

are his boards shapped by other shapers ? / mass produced

and i would like to say one of the nicest guys i met from the surf.
helped me out alot and all round
great guy

[iggy]

Oh yeah... as for 'local shapers' and the aforementioned reference to some of them being really good...

For any Wollongong surfers out there
check this guy >>> http://www.motivationlinessurfboards.co ... fault2.asp
the website isn't that flattering but he shapes well...
I got a custom 6'4 off him recently... and it's fn.ukn awesome...
Similar outline to this one on his website

Not a big name shaper, but very impressive... and has been shaping since 1980

[longbum]

Not a big name shaper, but very impressive... and has been shaping since 1980

Ok, this is the problem with local shapers. Without having quality guys riding your boards you can not progress at the rate at which surfing itself is progressing, I know the above mentioned shaper personally and have for over 20 years, (i used to ride his boards when I was a grommet) and without ragging on him he suits a totally different surfer. Impressive ???? Don't know about that for me.....
This is the question you need to ask yourself......Do you want to progress with your surfing and try stuff what the pros are doing and keep pushing yourself ??
If the answer is yes, you will need to get a "big name" shaper as these guys are always getting feedback from the pros and better surfers and are always tweaking their designs to have a better performance level because they have to..(there's plenty of local big names)
Answer No, then keep getting your local shaper to do you boards at a cheaper price but just remember that they won't go as good as the top boards.....

And before anyone says, "but they don't even touch the boards", well yes some don't but your paying for their designs these days, not their hands....

Think of it like cars, do you want a Hyundai, Holden, Subaru, Audi or Porsche ????

[iggy]

he suits a totally different surfer.

i would agree with that 10000000%.... any aspiring Kelly Slaters out there would be better with a JS or a Chilli etc...

although... any of the more old school rail to rail surfers (me for example), would find his boards to be pretty functional...

[fong]

i got totally agree with the dahlberg statements

yet too ride a dog one......even off the rack

but....i'm pretty stoked with my local shaper........his got a design that just works perfectly for me and lot other guys. when u happy with u boards and surfing....the last thing i wanna do is change

sometimes i'll go a inch longer or shorter....but the board basiclly remains the same and works unreal

i think it's invaluable actualy surfin with u shaper

p.s and bro.....the MAIN reason the worlds best ride big names is CAUSE there PAID too product endoresement =sponsorship=$$$$$$

[Beanpole]

Plenty of local, as in major surfing areas, surfboard manufacturers out there. Especially on the east coast.
A mate of mine hangs down south and is always singing the praises of the local carpenter who knocks out a few boards on the side. I reckon they look ordinary and they're holding his surfing back big time. There also happens to be a highly regarded shaper in the area that the "crew" thinks is up himself so they wont buy his boards.

I do and they go great plus I've found the guy to be really good to deal with.
This seems to annoy my mate a bit but I don't go down there that often and I'm not trying to cement relations with the locals.

Definitely support local shapers but go for the best. Charity begins at home. In my experience the difference between an okay board and a great board shows itself at the most critical moments.

[swift]

Do yourself a favour!!!
Get a Chilli.
I got a custom recently and it is deadset the best board I've ever had ( and I've had shitloads).
I'm not sure why everyone is so worried about glass jobs. The last 8 boards I've had the usual 4x4 top & 4 bottom. This time I just ordered the 4top 4 bottom and the difference is huge.
Wicked board.

[Chong]

I got a Murray Bourton just before Christmas www.basesurfboards.com/bourton-shapes-home.htm through my local surf shop and have been really happy with the way the board turned out and also impressed with Murrays customer service. I was pleasantly surprised to get the file re-confirming the dimensions e-mailed through to me before he shaped it with a few questions - as an average punter you tend not to expect much communication from busy shapers . I'll definitley be getting more customs off Murray.....

[longbum]

I'm not sure why everyone is so worried about glass jobs. The last 8 boards I've had the usual 4x4 top & 4 bottom. This time I just ordered the 4top 4 bottom and the difference is huge.
Wicked board.

Becaue there is a massive difference in the cloth and resin that the top guys are using compared to what the $400 gang are using.
You get what you pay for

[ric_vidal]

Becaue there is a massive difference in the cloth and resin that the top guys are using compared to what the $400 gang are using.

Bit of a generalisation don’t you think longbum, but I can’t speak for others. You talkin’ brands or grades like S vs E. Aerialite, Porscha, White Shark with FGI derived resin and have used Silmar.

[Natho]

Chong,

Im not riding any of Bourton's boards, however I had a good look at all his models recently. I was very impressed with his shapes and finishes on the boards. Now while the proof is in how they surf, I could tell just by looking at them they are a great product. Muz is a great shaper and knows his stuff.

Mr Momo,

It is rare that Greg Webber touches any boards these days, unless it is a board for Taj or the like. Greg is one of the great shapers, and if you can get your hands on a board shaped by Greg himself, then you will have a quality product. The issue is Greg seems to have 'removed' himself from the day to day shaping of boards ( thats his decision and he is entitled to do what he wants). In my opinion the average Webber (now made in Thailand) has gone down hill. While the basic Webber Rockers and curves are all there, it is the subtle blending of all the components that seems to have gone down hill. This was something Greg was a master at.

I have a mate who recently purchased a Webber from a store. The board had Gregs initials signed on it, and so he assumed like many customers that it was shaped by Greg. The store he purchased the board from said nothing. My mate got it home and then realised there was a tiny 'Made In Thailand' sticker on the board. Obviously he was very pssd off. He has also since concluded that the board goes like a dog.

Then again there are others here that are very happy with their Thai made Webbers.

I guess the same can be said for other shapers too. I have had Al Mericks shaped by Al himself that have been great. I have also had the same model Mericks out of the factory here in Sydney (finished by Ghost shapers) and they have been dogs. I here other people raving about their Australian made Mericks.
One board that may be a dog to me, may be great for you. We are all different.