Editor’s Note: The following article first appeared on Boardcave.com. For all your equipment and custom-shaped needs, visit their website.
Famous signature of board guru Timmy Patterson.
If you are in the market for a new board, it would be wise of you to consider ordering a custom surfboard from a local shaper. In doing so, you are supporting the heart of the surf industry and the craftsmen who build them. These men and women are the backbone of our industry. For how big the industry is, the fact that you can still order a one-off board made specifically for you and your needs is a wonderful thing that everyone should take advantage of.
A custom surfboard can make a world of difference to your surfing compared to the same model from straight off the rack. Every person on Earth is unique. We all have different body shapes and sizes. So why jeopardize the performance you can potentially be getting out of a board made custom for you by picking one with stock dimensions?
The truth is, when you order a custom board there is extra attention and consideration given by the shaper. Even the bigger brands make sure of it. Tweaking dimensions to suit your needs gives shapers a mental break from the often mundane off-the-rack production and puts them where they truly love to be: creating a specific board for a specific person. That’s the art of it.
Fresh batch of custom SUPERbrand Surfboards.
In terms of performance, it only makes sense to have a board that is shaped according to your needs. Every region has different waves and every surfer has a different body shape and way of surfing. You can still get a (insert board model of your dreams), but have it slightly tweaked to adequately reflect your strengths and weaknesses and the way you generally surf.
Boardcave.com prides itself on giving people who live a little too far from their shaper of choice the ability to order a custom board. Additionally, they will receive the customer service from actual surfers and experienced board builders to help them decide the board that is right for them.
It’s so important for all of us to consider these things before buying a generic board from the rack. It’s also nice to see your retail money going back into the domestic economy, specifically into your local economy. Above all, supporting a local shaper with a custom order you’re getting a board that will work better and mean more to you. And if you haven’t built a relationship with a shaper yet, now is the time to do so. Get out there.
