Does anyone have any info on austin's custom surfboards and the quality. I was thinking about having a custom short board made by him. I have heard really great things about his work.
I always wanted an Austin but never put the money toward it. I surfed a longboard made by Austin and it was just smooth and had a retro vibe to it (at the time it was the only longboard I rode too). Here is a post from swell that was posted a few years back that kinda states the same: http://www.swellinfo.com/forum/showthread.php?7488-Austin-Surfboards-what-s-the-word If you get one let us know and post some pictures! Few quality true local shapers around like Austin!
I have a custom Longboard and shortboard made by Austin. Both are great boards. My longboard is a 9'6 soul glide with a mexican blanket paint job. Perfect for riding the nose. My shorty is a 5'10 rocket fish. I got it made pretty thick and wide (2 3/8 thick, 20' wide) for the mush around here. Not much of a performance board but its good for smaller stuff. If you get custom artwork, be VERY SPECIFIC on what you want. I gave him a general idea of what I wanted and trusted him as an artist to give me what I was looking for. Overall he did great, but I wish I was more specific on what colors I wanted and how much of it I wanted where. I would highly reccomend him for boards. He does incredible work. Super chill guy and will talk to you for hours until you figure out what it is that you want.
every board in there is drool worthy. His retro's and log's are off the hook! I currently have a log with him for a glass job. His glass and resin work comes highly recommended. He guarantee's his work and that is above and beyond in this business. I say he is one of VB's finest.
I have a 7'6 rocketfish by Austin. It seems to be very durable, it should have a lot of dings that it doesn't have. Not much for performance though. He is known for retro boards. Don't go to him for a josh. Go to him for a log, retro fish, mini simmons, etc.
To OP. I don't know much about short boards but I do know a thing or two about craftsmanship. Austin's boards are oozing with it.
One man's big board is another man's performance board. Depends on a few factors, like rider's height, weight, fitness level, sobriety. (that last one was a mild joke) A rider 6'3, 220 lbs who's in good physical condition & who has decent experience can easily get a lot of snap from a 7'6, depending on the wave conditions & the shape of the stick of course. One man's humble opinion, not claiming authority by any means.
Austin is excellent!! You cant go wrong! I'm having him make a copy of one of my old boards with modern fins setup.
thanks for the feeback. I ordered a 5'10 board from him so once i get it ill post some pictures of th finished stick.
