Mini-Widget II is born...

I think this shape provides an insight into the benefits of ordering a custom surfboard. Early this past Sept., new customer, Gordon B., saw the ad for my 5-4 Mini-Widget on Craigslist, and after a long discussion via emails, he arranged to take it for a couple of weeks as a demo. When he returned it, he reported really liking the shape’s performance in small, mushy surf, but wanted to make a couple of tweaks to the design. First, he wanted to add a couple of inches in length to gain a little more paddling power, and then he wanted to pull in the nose a bit so that it would be less likely to catch in the wave face on steep drops. The rocker was tweaked just slightly at both ends to accommodate the added length, but the belly-to-flat-to-concave bottom was left unchanged, as was the outline of the back-half of the board. This is what we came up with:
Dims: 5'6"  17-1/2" x 22-1/2" x 18-3/8"  2-5/8"

The end result I’m now calling the Mini-Widget II, and it’s aimed at those surfers who enjoy the fast planing, skatey feel of the mini-Simmons style grovel board, but want to surf more vertically, especially as wave conditions improve.  This board will be fitted with 5 FCS boxes to provide plenty of fin options.

Got a shape you want in mind? Send me a text, email, or give me a call and lets get started!

Mini-Widget rider review...

Here's Justin with his new 5-1 Mini-Widget

This is what he said after his first session a couple of weeks ago:

"I took the mini-widget out today at the point and had a blast!  The waves weren't great, but the mini-widget shined.  I got quite few set waves (waist - maybe chest high) and the thing flew like a bat out of hell.  The way you pulled in the tail with the wing is awesome.  I had another mini simmons with a much wider tail and found it difficult to get it to do quick directional changes.  No such issue with the mini widget.  Turns were effortless and smooth.

The board also performed really well on the smaller waves too (knee high or so).  I'm a goofy foot, and have always found surfing small rights on a short board to be a pain - I'd rather just trim on a longboard.  The mini-widget had all of the glide I like from a longboard in small waves but I could still do turns and get in a few little floaters."

If you love to ride a shortboard and don't want to ride a longboard on small days, you need a Mini-Widget. I have a 5-4x22-3/8"x2-3/8" MW available for you to demo. Just give me a call  805-856-8554

Kirt 's new 8-0 Kingfish...

Kirt liked his 8-0 Kingfish so much that he ordered a second one with some minor tweaks.

Kirt had me change the colors and add 1/4" more tail rocker in the last 12" of the tail. Otherwise, same outline and same rails. 

Mini-Widget for Justin...

Just finished a 5-1 Mini-Widget for Customer Justin. Justin noticed the 5-4 MW I have for sale and asked for one just a bit smaller.





Board will glassed with two layers of S-cloth on deck to help combat those dreaded heel-dents. Fin setup will be quad Futures with FCS plugs in center fin position. Justin will have multiple fin config options!

9-8 Classic anyone...?

Polished up, nice and shiny...looking for an owner

The drought finally ended....

I never thought I'd see the day when waist-high sets would be frothed over like it was "4-to-6-and-glassy".  But, that was the vibe in the water this past Labor Day Weekend when my local point came alive with consistent waist-high sets after 4+ weeks of ankle-slappers. Here's yours truly enjoying my new 10-0 Classic in the conditions it was designed for.

A 9-8 version of this Classic will be polished-out tomorrow and ready for some lucky customer. Come by the shop in Camarillo, CA and have a look. 

New fish for Sam...

Here's the new custom 5-10 fish kneeboard I built for local kneeboarder Sam. If the outline looks "classic", well...that's because it has an impressive pedigree.

Sam had a 5-8 fish kneeboard that was built for him several years ago by hull maestro, Greg Liddle. That board was a copy of a Steve Lis fish kneeboard. Sam brought the 5-8 fish to me, and asked for a similar shape, but longer and thicker. Measurements were taken, templates drawn and fin placement scrutinized. Sam chose the Hobie Fish template from my friends at True Ames Fins. The glass-on fins are asymetrically foiled and were set with just a slight toe-in, adding a little modern touch to this otherwise traditional shape. But the fun part of this build was Sam's direct participation. He was there when I took the rocker measurements, and helped me template the original board. Once I had the blank, Sam watched the whole 4 hr shaping process, and gave me input on what he liked and what he wanted changed, as in "hey Sam, feel these rails and tell me if you want a little more taken off". Shaping a custom surfboard should be a collaboration between shaper and surfer, and I encourage all my customers to participate in the process.

More T-Belly slidin'...this time in Peru

James, one of my customers from Nor Cal, was kind enough to send me this POV video of him enjoying a loooong left at Puerto Chicama, Peru.

Here's the T-Belly he's riding

Late summer noserider, Part 2...

Finally picked up my new 10-0 Classic. Just the ticket for those small days at the Point. Dims are 18-3/4"x23-1/2"x15-3/4"   3-1/4" thick.



This board has the typical "Classic Model" features: half-length, blended nose-concave, moderate tail-"V", low entry rocker and slight flip in tail rocker.

I usually do the traditional "eggy" 50/50 rail on the Classic, but this time I went with a more modern 60/40 tucked rail. That tucked edge provides good water release for a slippier" ride.

That fin is the new Slick Regulator by True Ames. Every new board deserves a new fin!

In progress...

I've got several orders at different stages of glassing. This is a 5-10 Fish kneeboard for Sam.

I really like the glassed-on bamboo fins. Sam was able to watch his board being shaped, so we were really able to custom fit this shape. I really enjoy having customers give me input as I shape their board.
Next is the 8-0 Kingfish for Kirt. 

It's getting one of Kirt's wild color designs so there's not much to see at this point.
Finally, a 9-8 Classic for some lucky customer, yet to be named.  

Deck will stay clear with a red pinline, which should really pop against the Ice Blue resin tint. Isn't this the board you've always wanted? It'll be ready to wax up in about a week, so call me today 805-856-8554