Surfboard Shapers making kneeboards

hart · Post by **hart** » Wed Dec 10, 2003 12:19 am

Flexman,

You are so right about the listening..and if a professional shaper (standup or otherwise) is willing to hear what is being said..then it's gotta be good.

One coment that I want to make about standups is but, their turning is all about the placement of their feet. Naturally, this changes every time they take-off..but the inherent ability to adjust, fractionally, while they ride, is an amazing advantage to their surfing.

And the shapers..by virtue of the fact that they ride the same equipment..know this. Like, they know absolutely, no different.

Kneeboards need to turn, whether long, or short, with the same lump of meat (think us) in exactly the same place as the turn before. And that happens wave, after wave, after....

I reckon that a kneeboard has to be tuned more to the individual (there's that bloody word again) than a standup does.

Their size, proportion..whether they kneel from half-way, or behind..is an enormous consideration to what their equipment inherantly possesses.

Like you said..as long as they listen..err, hear what your saying.

PS

I've seen a couple of Gigg's old boards in Cornwall..and they looked hot. Really flat decks but..thicknesses down to two and three eights..like under two and a half (way normal for standups) just to keep the rail low and wanting to enter. But they sure looked like they would rip if you had the right style.

kripchik · Post by **kripchik** » Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:49 am

submariner wrote:Not to take business away from Bud or Dave Parkes, but have any of you considered taking the current shapes that work for you from Bud or Dave and having a local shaper shape a similar design?

Hey Submariner

I bought a kneeboard off the shelf, from a surfboard shaper. When I first rode it I found I had a great deal of speed but it felt a little stiff. I compared the fin placement with my old board and found that the fins were too far back, so I took it back and in one day they put in new fin plugs and I was back out that afternoon, able to rip with more ease. I would go back and get another board from them, I would just detail exactly what I want. I am lucky because my local shapers see me in the water a lot, so they know what I need.

Cheers Sophia

geetee · Post by **geetee** » Tue Jan 06, 2004 2:56 pm

I wouldn't bother buying a board off a shaper that didn't just shape kneeboards. I've had a lot of boards over the years, all shaped by well known kneeboard shapers, and have never had a bad one yet. Talking to kneeboard shapers and finding out just how much effort goes into getting the right bottom curves and so on it leads me to believe that the only way to go is by thier own experience. If youcan show them your previous board/s they get a idea of what you been surfing on and by telling them what you want I find I get the right board every time. David Parkes had never seen me surf before but after seeing my old board and talking to him about where I wanted to go he shaped me a fantastic board. Bear shaped a heap of boards in my garage for me and they were all good boards that suited the way I surf. I think that experience is always best.

kneelo_44 · Post by **kneelo_44** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:22 pm

Hi

I have a number of boards over time (1970 to present). My first new board (1970) was a freebie given to me by a mates brother who starting out as a shaper. I don't remember the dimension, but it was mine the other were boards that I borrowed. Most of my mates were Footie's, but I was a little different I had style. Over time I have had 2 custom boards, and the rest of the shelf. Most have been shaped by KB but 3 have been shaped by Footie's and were great as well. You just have to pick the right people. There are good and bad shaper and they have some bad hair days too. My last 3 board have been great. One was a custom made by KB (82), one by a footie of the shelf (Full circle PI Vic), and my lastest of the shelf by Neil Luke (awesome). I talk to them and look at there boards and ask others about them. I will use what ever keeps me out there, but Neil Luke I will be back for another shortly.

John

red · Post by **red** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 2:00 pm

Lonnie Burns used to shape Gigs' boards in the 80's. Lonnie was a good standup surfer and shaper, but, working closely with Gigs (and Farrer's temlpates), used to produce neat boards. Glen D'arcy in Jeffries Bay is another standup surfer who has shaped enough kneeboards to have it figured out.

I had good boards from both of these shapers but still believe that there is no substitute for getting a knee board from a knee board shaper - they are in the mind set, understand what you are trying to communicate when you say, "when I come off the top..." and, importantly, they are committed to KS.

There is one of each board at album_pic.php?pic_id=859 (the 2 on the right)

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 2:56 pm

kneelo_44 · Post by **kneelo_44** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:28 am

But you don't always have the luxury of having a good KB shaper in your local area. I have lived in the NT (Darwin) and there arn't any there (surfing in Indo mostly). Where I now live I have 2 KB shapers. But when you break a board and you want a new, you may have to settle for a Footie. If there's KB shaper I will be there like a rat up a drain pipe.

John

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 4:21 am

geetee · Post by **geetee** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 1:08 pm

as I wrote before I believe there is no substitute for a KB shaper shaping kneeboards. I read the responses from Hart on this great website to questions from all and sundry and they are formulated from massive amounts of experience. As it was said before you can order boards from Hart and other KB shapers by phone and other forms of communication and have them delivered to your door. To draw from Hart's experience and other well known shapers like Parksey is the best insurance you can get to buying a top line board.

As for some of the responses Hart has given to this site I find the depth of knowledge incredible and thank him for his amazing insight into board shaping.

Brendan · Post by **Brendan** » Mon Jan 12, 2004 7:27 pm

John,
I just went from a standup shaped KB to a Friar Tuck. I has put my surfing on another level. Don't ever settle for second best.

Brendan

kneelo_44 · Post by **kneelo_44** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:32 am

I'm sorry that I didn't explain myself clearly enough. I absolutely agree that a KB sahped by a KB shaper is going to be better than one shaped by a footie. In fact I reckon my new Island board, courtesy of Neil Luke, is just awesome. It is better than I could have ever imagined. Unfortunately for some of us we have to settle for a KB shaped by a footie. Perhaps due to locality, a lack of KBers and funds. But enough of this now. Long live Kripples.

John

kripchik · Post by **kripchik** » Tue Jan 13, 2004 2:39 am

Sadly John doesn't always proof read what he writes. He's a hardcore kneelo. He brought me into the fold (follow me and paddle like f@#k). He even has "KNEELO" tattoed on his forearm. He's just another misunderstood kneelo.

MC2 · Post by **MC2** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 2:29 am

In regard to who should shape your next custom kneeboard , it has been my experience to go with the shaper that you feel comfortable communicateing with. Perferably someone who has seen you ride , at least a few times. It also important that your chosen shaper is enthusiastic about shaping kneeboards . Most boards that I've enjoyed riding were shaped by footboard shapers who also had some kneeboard customers , including my 1st , a La Rana , shaped by Dean Cleary. So my advice is seek a local shaper who you click with , perferably with kneelo experience .

red · Post by **red** » Tue Feb 24, 2004 6:08 pm

MC2
you know, of course, that Dean Cleary was a KS world champ in the 70's

Kneeboard Surfing USA Community Forum

Surfboard Shapers making kneeboards

Standup Shapers

Re: Surfboard Shapers making kneeboards