FAQ

SURFBOARDS

So many brands don’t actually make their boards. Where do yours come from?

Our boards are designed and constructed in Tofino. We use local suppliers and products wherever possible. Those materials that can’t be sourced in Canada come from our neighbours to the south.

Are your boards hand shaped or machined?

Although the first 2000 or so of my boards were hand shaped, I've been using CAD design since 2011. All of our boards are pre-shaped in-house, with a state of the art CnC machine for accuracy and consistency.

Why not hand shape? Aren’t you afraid that you will loose the soul in your boards?

I have a great reverence for hand shaping. It is one of the most difficult crafts there are. I made the decision to switch, in large part, to demand for my surfboards. Outsourcing was never really considered as it was sure to lead to an inferior product. I don’t believe in the “soul” of objects. I believe the soul of surfing is found in the act rather than in the equipment.

How long will a custom board take after finalizing an order?

Three to six weeks. The clock starts ticking when all the details have been finalized and we have received the deposit. Completion times are heavily dependent on the number of boards in the queue. If you would like a more accurate estimation or are constrained by time (a planned trip, forgot your partners birthday, etc) send me a message and I will do my best.

How much can I change the stock or "rack" dimension?

You can change dimensions to exactly those you would like. I encourage you not to stray far from stock dims but in the end it is your board and you make the final call.

Why does adding an inch or two change the price of a board?

It is usually because a bigger, more expensive, blank is required.

I would like a different tail shape than the board model has - can you provide that?

In most cases, yes.

GRAPHICS, COLOURS & TINTS

I have created, or have had created, a customer vector image for a board and want it placed under the glass. Can you do that?

Yes, we do this on a regular basis and can deal with virtually any request. We can give you a quote after seeing the graphic and understanding the work involved.

I would like to have a custom image hand drawn/painted on a board. Can you do this?

Yes, we have artists that can re-create an image or create a new one. The best approach is to send an image that you would like on the board. We will provide you with a quote. This kind of graphic is done with Posca paint pens and is sealed with acrylic.

I would like to have some colour added to my board. How does this work?

There are a few ways we can get some colour in your world. Tinting, adding colour pigments to the resin, result in vibrant and long lasting colour. The other method we use is to simply spray the foam with acrylic paint. The best approach depends on the design you had in mind. If you can forward the design we can help.

GLASSING

What kind of glassing options are available?

I keep a wide variety of fabrics in stock and can meet your specifications on most glassing schedules. I do not up-charge for changes to standard glass schedules unless I incur higher costs, such as S-glass. Let me know what you are trying to achieve and I can suggest a glassing schedule.

Can I get any of your models in EPS/Epoxy?

Yes. We offer both EPS and Epoxy for any board model.

Do you charge extra for carbon stomp grips?

No, and you can choose from, straight black, or black with blue, red, or green tracers. I also offer vector net stomp patches (fish net carbon) up to 16” in length.

FINS

What fin systems do you support?

Our two standard fin systems are Futures and FCSII. We can install any fin system you prefer and stock a small quantity of components for Lok-box, O’fish’ll and Probox Hawaii. If you are not familiar with any of these systems or would like to learn more about them you can find them online.

Do I get fins with my board?

No, boards do not come with fins. Why? Many of our customers have a “quiver” of fins and prefer to save the extra dollars I would have to charge if fins were included. Standard fins can be provided at very low cost if you have none. It is strongly suggested that you put those dollars towards a premium set of fins.

What fins can I get with my board?

We can provide you with FCS or Futures fins. A 5% discount is applied when you are purchasing fins for a new board. You can find a selection of fins at www.surffcs.com or if you have chosen Future Fin boxes (www.futuresfins.com). Prices vary based on fin.

Can I make my board a five fin?

Yes, you can add as many fin boxes as you like at $15 a box (turning a tri fin into a five fin is an additional two boxes).

Can I get glass-ons?

Yes, we can install glass on fins and we do stock a variety, including wooden keel fins. Glass-on fins are a lot of extra work and therefore there is an extra charge for glass-ons.

OUR FOOTPRINT

What do you do to reduce your manufacturing footprint?

No, I don’t plant a tree somewhere in the world and donate 1% of our sales to some group somewhere. First, we reduce, re-use and recycle. Second, I use the money I would have spent on the tree to maintain our zero fume and dust emissions policy. This is achieved through carbon filtering styrene fumes and collecting sanding dust at source. Thirdly, I use top quality materials and products that last longer in production, create a stronger, longer lasting product and waste nothing. Our boards likely to last more than 20 years. It is more likely to go out of fashion than it is to wear out. It is the things you do locally that make the difference globally.

Why don't you use 'green' resins and foam in your surfboards?

Because they are often un-proven and it is uncertain how they will affect the environment in the long run. Polyester resins have been around for a long time. We know the dangers associated with their production and use, much of which can be mitigate through simple but strict production practices. I do keep an eye out for new, greener, products but refuse to mislead our customers with all too common green washes.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS

What are you accepted forms of payment?

Due to the low margins in surfboard construction we greatly appreciate cash, in particular email money transfers, and cheques. We totally understand if this is not possible and offer Visa, Master Card, and Pay Pal as alternatives. Any discounted item will require cash, or cheque.

Do you requite a deposit and is it refundable?

We do require a deposit of $150.00 before getting started on most boards. If the board is getting custom graphics, a deposit of 50% of the total cost of the board, excluding taxes, must be paid in advance. In some cases, like extremely small surfboards or unusual requests, we may ask for up to a 50% deposit. 

 

If you are unable to pay for your surfboard we will do everything in our power to refund your deposit, however, a portion or all of the deposit will be used to recoup any losses incurred in selling the board. This includes but is not limited to a 20% sales commission. The commission charge compensates us for staff time spent selling the board. 

 

If we incur no expense and sell your board quickly we will happily refund 100% of your deposit. We take no joy in these events and truly prefer that they don’t happen.

SHIPPING

How much do you charge to ship a board?

Shipping is quoted on a per board basis. We offer flat rates that vary based on your location. Please contact us for a quote.

Who do you ship with?

We get three quotes and go with the lowest. If you prefer a particular company then let us know and we will arrange for the board to move with that company.

What is the first thing I should do when I receive my new surfboard?

Check the board for damage. It is extremely important that you inspect the board and report any damage as soon as possible. When convenient, have us ship the board to the couriers depot. With this approach you don’t have to worry about missing the delivery or it being left out where it should not. The chances of damage are reduced (less time in a truck means less chance for damage), and you can inspect the board before leaving the couriers depot and not in front of a driver that really wants to go. If there is damage there will be no question about whether it happened during shipping or after! Damage not reported within 24hrs of receiving of the board will not be covered. This is not our policy but the policy of most couriers.

What happens when my board is damaged in transit?

We insure every board we ship for replacement value. If the damage is slight we may choose to repair it or have it repaired. If the board is damaged beyond repair, or the damage is significant, we will replace it as soon as possible with a new one.

STANDARD DIMENSIONS / VOLUME

Standard Dimensions / Volume

These dimensions are not set in stone. All of our models can be adjusted to suit your personal needs. 

The dimensions are what I would refer to as “native” or “rack” dimensions. They are derived from a master file through a scaling process. They are the dimensions you will likely see in the rack at one of our retailers. 

If you would like to order your model “custom” shoot me an email and we can work together on some final dims but please be sure to have had a quick look through our FAQ’s and have a bit of an understanding of how you would like to proceed.

IDEAL WAVE RANGE

To say board size and shape are particular to the surfer is an understatement. This reality makes it difficult to be more than general in describing what type of surf a board will work well in. What I attempt is to describe what size and type of waves the board was designed for. As they say, results may vary but understanding some design principles and a bit of terminology will greatly help. 

Tail Shapes

Round Tail: Round tails will have more hold, control speed better and allow for smooth rail to rail transitions. The extremes of these qualities are found in pin tails where the moderate are found in rounder less narrow tails. 

Squash Tail: Boards with a squash tail offer up release (loose), generate speed quickly (fast), and hold that speed through turns or soft spots. The extremes, very wide squash tails, can be very quick and loose - a good choice for very soft (mushy) surf. Surfboards with medium tails (around 5.5” wide) make great all around surfboards. 

Board Details

Width: Wide boards are best in soft wave conditions since they plane at lower speeds and will hold speed through flat sections. (20” plus)Narrow boards are best for surf with more energy in it (punchy) or for those looking to make very quick rail to rail transitions. (Up to 19.5”)

Rocker: This is the hardest design component to describe in words. To keep it simple – lower rocker boards tend to be fast and best in mushy or soft surf. High rocker boards are better in more powerful surf. I would use the Wave Range Guide as an indication of rocker. If the board is described as good for mushy waves then it likely is low rocker and vice versa. 

Outline: This is the front on view of the surfboard. Wide, full outlines are better for beginner surfers and boards for mushy waves. Wider noses allow for wider overall templates and provide stability and increase wave count. Narrow outlines are better for punchy and powerful surf but they are more sensitive to weight transfer (tippy) and more difficult to catch waves with.

WHAT IS MY SURFING LEVEL?

Recommended Size/Surfer Level

Direction to the right size board is not an exact science but a culmination of direct experience, team feed back and constant communication with customers - after that, a reliance on gut feeling. These recommendations assume careful consideration of where you are at with your surfing (honesty in your level of surfing) along with consideration of the volume chart. If you have read through the FAQ’s and are still uncertain about the recommendations I have made, by all means, shoot me an email. 

Below is a description of the “categories” of surfers that I like to use on the board overview page. They are meant not to place anyone in a group, but rather, to aid in understanding where you are at today and to describe where you are headed. 

Newbie: never surfed before or has just begun surfing. This is a time where you may need us the most. Read through the FAQ’s and then send me an email. I will help you not make the mistakes we see when starting out. 

Beginner: owns their own surfboard and is just starting to catch waves - someone who is working on the very basics of surfing. Remember we all were beginners...in the beginning. 

Inter-Beginner: surfer who can catch waves and ride the green (along the wave face and not straight to shore in the white water). An Inter-Beginner should be able to turn the board, with intention, to some degree. 

Intermediate: a surfer who has become proficient at catching waves and is always riding the open face of the wave. This level of surfer has, to some degree, learned to pump for speed on the wave and can easily negotiate their way around the wave face. An intermediate surfer, in my mind, is capable of doing turns on the wave face. 

Inter-Advanced: a surfer that is no longer thinking about catching the wave, but what they are going to do when they get to your feet. Pumping for speed is second nature and they are planting turns at will. They can complete a round-o (if you don’t know what that is then you are not here yet). The Round-o is actually a complex turn that requires timing, maintenance of speed, and solid judgment of the wave itself. This is why I mention it. 

Advanced: you have conquered the round-o, throw spray through turns and are generally ripping. 

Pro: you are paid “cash-money” to surf....simple.