This is where it all starts now in 2002 the same as I was told it did in the '60s.
when a rider explains his ideas and a shaper makes those ideas a reality. The shaping room,
dirty, dusty, and smelling like foam dust, is a relaxed environment for thoughts and ideas
to be expressed. Surfboards are perhaps every board builder's favorite at heart because its
design is about a rider and the wave. No sails and no kites make it all about the board. I am
thrilled by the huge air of kiteboarding and the speed and hard driving bottom turns of sailboarding
but the reward from surfing will always be attractive.
This is the smallest surfboard I ride as I am not ever in shape it seems to paddle a short board. All of the surfboards I build are designed for riders whose primary sport is windsurfing but also would like to surf a little on the side. The 7'2" egg shape fits that criteria. It is an optimal size for all around manageability. The 7'2" is small enough to still feel a lot like a short board but way easier to paddle and take off. It is best suited for those who do have some surfing experience however. It works great on medium size San Carlos days and I would definitely want it on Maui.
The 8'3" is the easiest to learn on up to 170lbs. After that I would consider the 8"6". It is long enough to paddle and take off with ease but still short enough to maneuver without doing the long board walk. Traditional longboards as cool as they are, are difficult to manage in bigger surf and require walking a few steps forward to trim and back again to turn. The 8'3" and the 8'6" can be ridden standing in one spot with minimal movement. I like the simplicity of a single fin but side fins can be added for little more.