Choosing a Shaper

BigAirMass · Post by **BigAirMass** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:35 pm

Hello Everyone,

I always thought going with custom equipment was a bit over-the-top for a beginner--but in a niche sport like this, there may not be many other options. So, I'm looking for advice as I go "shaper shopping." Bud at Blast was kind enough to contact me already, so he is certainly in consideration. Finding a shaper in the US seems to make most sense.

I guess the big problem is that I'm not sure what I like yet. My little 4'10" Romo was made for someone 50lbs lighter then me. It's been fun, but I'm dropping in pretty late. I've found myself pearling alot or riding the soup this summer.

Given the following info, I'm happy for any advice I can get:
1. I'm small--5'4", 150lbs (could stand to drop 10 or 15 of those

)
2. Been a prone bodyboarder all these years, so I like using fins and having a relatively compact board.
3. I'm primarily riding knee to head/shoulder high beach breaks in New England. They are finicky waves. Even the slower ones tend to pitch suddenly and get steep.
4. I'm considering epoxy, but not exclusively. I just like tough equipment.
5.I've had some bad experiences getting stabbed in the thighs by old swallowtail surfboards, so I'm a bit wary of fish--but could be convinced.

Any thoughts on where to turn?

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 3:15 pm

I would go with Blast. He will shape you a great board after asking you some questions, and I'm pretty sure you won't pearl.

bdwqld · Post by **bdwqld** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:17 pm

I quite like Dean Cleary's boards, I have just ordered my second epoxy Voltar from him, creased the first one in a 10ft reef break

. Really happy with what he created for me, so much so that I ordered exactly the same board (without creases).

His website has a lot of broken links but it is worth a look to see what he has got http://www.deanclearysurfboards.com/kneeboards.html

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:46 pm

Yeah, really consider going with a Blast. He glasses his boards very strong, they're easy to surf, and have tons of natural speed to get you up and planing fast on shorter, beachbreak waves.

hart · Post by **hart** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:16 am

I think Barry bakers shaper Schoelscoff (sp) does epoxy..

maybe u should PM him..

If u want yr equipment bulletproof..epoxy is usually the best option

hart

frog · Post by **frog** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:19 am

Freeline is another option. John Mel has been around forever and can help you also. I have one of his boards a Fish which is fun to ride. I also have a Blast board which I won in the raffle a few years ago. I truly enjoy that boards too. I guess you should talk all thee shaper to see what each said and then try to chose one.

analbirth · Post by **analbirth** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:54 pm

no such thing as bullet proof

http://nativekneeboards.com/nativekneeb ... /HOME.html

jdc · Post by **jdc** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 12:56 am

no such thing as an analbirth either as far as i know

(i did google the term)

In general most punters dont understand the term bulletproof
literally....unless your a cop or a soldier

but we do on occassions have to put up with term analbirth when investigating things kneeboard related.

sorry, it maybe im just getting too old for such "humor"

analbirth · Post by **analbirth** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 1:16 am

my apologies for you having wasting your valuable on line time googling my tag

....... on second thoughts... nah, you probably learnt something

something you probably didn't want to know, granted

i've never bothered [ been game ] btw i don't see where there could be any humor associated with my tag, pain perhaps but not humor......

womble · Post by **womble** » Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:11 am

Bulletproof vests are fine ... just as long as the shooter isn't aiming at your head.

I've seen waterproof surfboards ... waterlogged surfboards ... badly ridden and bullet ridden surfboards ... bulletproof surfboards may exist in Tolkiens word ... but not here in reality.

And as for AB's ... well they do exit ... they live in swamps ... rarely work ... shape their own surfboards ... and are most probably not cops or soldiers ... but do understand what bulletpoofs are sods ... sorry ... whats not bulletproof.

Old Crazy on the other hand ... shoots narrow minded tall poppies on high horses balanced on soap boxes for breakfast ... but he is bulletproof on account of being shallow and hollow and shot full of holes.

Joel5150Photo · Post by **Joel5150Photo** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:27 pm

javascript:emoticon(':D')yoooooo! joel5150 here in Oceanside, Romanosky has been shaping my boards for 15++ years,(im on a 6-0 quad swallow tail ) glassed on fins romo' knee pad Viper fins,Bodyglove shortie3xxx (6-0 230lbs)he has a custom rocker 6-2 c blank, hes a hell of a shaper!!!! Frog house in Newport stocks his boards or see how web page see link off ksusa site.im proud to call ron my friend...joel5150photo

BigAirMass · Post by **BigAirMass** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:12 pm

Thanks everybody! I have a few options now and made some good contacts. Just waiting for folks to get back to me at this point. Very exciting stuff!

BTW- A local shaper sent me this pic of a bamboo/epoxy kneeboard he made for a friend. I don't know anything about the shape, but it sure is purdy!

album_showpage.php?pic_id=28292

Freddie · Post by **Freddie** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:22 pm

I have lots of friends that ride BUD'S Boards, and they like them.......
I myself ride Dean Cleary boards, and have been for years. Just recently I had Tom Balastar shape me a board with a different concept, and I love it.....

jdc · Post by **jdc** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:03 am

womble wrote:Bulletproof vests are fine ... just as long as the shooter isn't aiming at your head.

I've seen waterproof surfboards ... waterlogged surfboards ... badly ridden and bullet ridden surfboards ... bulletproof surfboards may exist in Tolkiens word ... but not here in reality.

And as for AB's ... well they do exit ... they live in swamps ... rarely work ... shape their own surfboards ... and are most probably not cops or soldiers ... but do understand what bulletpoofs are sods ... sorry ... whats not bulletproof.

Old Crazy on the other hand ... shoots narrow minded tall poppies on high horses balanced on soap boxes for breakfast ... but he is bulletproof on account of being shallow and hollow and shot full of holes.

Gosh womble, did I touch a nerve

womble · Post by **womble** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:16 am

jdc wrote:
womble wrote:Bulletproof vests are fine ... just as long as the shooter isn't aiming at your head.

I've seen waterproof surfboards ... waterlogged surfboards ... badly ridden and bullet ridden surfboards ... bulletproof surfboards may exist in Tolkiens word ... but not here in reality.

And as for AB's ... well they do exit ... they live in swamps ... rarely work ... shape their own surfboards ... and are most probably not cops or soldiers ... but do understand what bulletpoofs are sods ... sorry ... whats not bulletproof.

Old Crazy on the other hand ... shoots narrow minded tall poppies on high horses balanced on soap boxes for breakfast ... but he is bulletproof on account of being shallow and hollow and shot full of holes.

Gosh womble, did I touch a nerve

Hardly ... the nervous system has taken down its shingle and shut up shop years ago ... it saw what happened to the liver and any grey matter that managed to survived the first onslaught of substance abuse and a total lack of self control ... life is good after you lose all feeling in the upper parts of the body and learn to type in dribble.

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