Kneeboard Surfing USA Community Forum

I plan to be in San Diego on business the first week of August. I'd like to buy a (used or new) kboard, in the 5'6" to 5'10" range, quad, progressive design (double concaves, fins relatively forward and fast). I'm 6'2" and 175 lbs, currently riding a 6'4" twinzer (better for standup than kbing).
I have a fairly good idea of what I'm looking for, but would like to grab some rails in shops where possible. Obviously, I'll be looking at the KSUSA and Craigslist, etc. classifieds in the weeks before I go out, but could use some sound advice on what shops might have boards in stock.
Am I being overly optimistic that SD shops would have a selection? Should I just get a custom board?
I'll sit back now and listen to the ensuing cacaphony....

Hi Peter
I have 2 boards I'm looking to sell.

one is a Schoelkopf 5'10" quad (glassed on fins) nearly new,
no dings, inlaid full length deckpad

other is a Bro Diplock shape about 5'7" thruster,
nearly new only ridden by Bro at the world titles.
he stayed with me after the event and had no room to take it home
it has lokbox fin system, no dings, nice airspray, and deckpad attached

we might be able to get Bro to post more on the design. I will send him an email.

kneebumps-you can check Toby's (Rich Pavel) shop- The Green Room- always several boards on the rack, quads and keel fishes, although pricey-$800+, or Rocky's...he had a wide selection of fishes, quads and keels, shaped by Hank Warner in the $500+ range. Both shops are on Abbott St. in Ocean Beach. Mike Hynon is also making killer quads and twinzers-check Rainbow Surfboards.com.-Kane Gardens has good boards too,check their web site. S.D. is the home of the fish...you'll find something!

Doh!!- I meant Mike Hynson @ rainbow surfboards...apparently the geno two-finger hunt and peck style of typing still needs a little refinement.....

Gene,
Thanks, I have a KG twinzer, LarrMo, love it but it's really a standup board -looking for a true kneeboard. Does Pavel shape kb's or are you referring to standups that can go both ways ? I was planning on checking the fish shops just for the history- I am a fishman, have been since the mid 70's, when I had the first Lis shape in NC, I worship GGreenough. Looking to step into the 21st C with a performance kbrd.

Peter,

I don't spend much time in shops but I suspect you won't find a lot of kneeboards there. We do have some talented kneeboard shapers you might want to talk with including:

Eric Shoelkopf - 760-505-4769

James Mangano/K-58 858-525-1937

There are a few others but these are the ones I'd recommend having riden their shapes.

If you're looking for surf while in town - or want to borrow a board, send me a PM closer to your trip. Unfortunately, I don't have any I can sell.

Jack

...

Toby,Hank, and Hynson all do and will shape custom kb's...and Toby has several in his shop...

I have parkes mush board 6' X 24 squash tail tri for sale. The blue one in the link below:
album_showpage.php?full=true&pic_id=1707

Rail ding needs to be fixed but board is sound with parkes pads. I will let go of the board for 250 clams. Paid 550

6199722300

Good ideas all. Someone else who shapes a real nice classic fish, twin or quad, is Steve Seebold. He made me a super nice 5' 9" quad. I think you would be better off which ever way you go, to have one shaped for you, instead of a hit and miss at the shops. Let us know what happens. Good luck.

KneeBumps,

Don't expect to find a selection of kneeboards on the racks at any San Diego surf shop. You might get lucky and find a one or two kneeboard fish on the rack at the Greenroom. What you will find is perhaps the biggest concentration of the kneelos in the US. If you play your cards right you might have the opportunity to sample boards from all of the major kneeboard shapers. Toofast might even let you try the pickle fork.

Doug see if you can go for a surf with Barry, a really nice guy, and try the Schoelkopf, I am sure you will be happy.

Too much information!
But thanks to all- I'm leaning toward a custom board, but hope to catch up with some folks when I get out in August and try some of your toys.
And, Mike, if we can ever get together on the Right Coast, I'd like to try your board. (Man, did we ever miss it on Sat- assume you saw the pics, NC to NY was going off all freakin day)

Ugh, I know, but I had to work I have two boards you can try when we surf soon.

a little farther north "The Froghouse" in Newport had 9 new Romo Kneeboards when i was there the other day. I heard 1 guy tell another they were all out of fish' but if he really wanted one he could rip the pad off of one of the kneeboards and use it