longboards......

i was going on traditional longboard contest requirements are single fin minimum 9'0"

 

I have an 8'6" beater that I use for those small mushy days and its a lot of fun although Id rather be on my shortboard I have a blast on it.. After all thats what surfings all about isnt it.. I was talking to a couple of guys the other day and mention my 8'6" longboard and the one guy jokingly or maybe not as joking as i thought now said "Thats not a longboard".....

 

8'6" = mid-length,mini-mal,mini-longboard

 

Austin surfboards are GREAT. If you want a custom shaped board, be it a longboard, shortboard, or something in between, he is your man. I purchased and had shaped a 7'4 egg with custom black and white resin on bottom and a raised black cut out of the isalnd i grew up on on the deck. Thing rides like a landcruiser. Not the fastest, or most agile but its sooo well built, the ride is smoooth, it surfs everything, and has lots of options. Its my surfing swiss army knife.

Anyway, Austin will work with you step by step. He is good at answering emails, calls, and appreciates questions and suggestions. I recommend his product.
www.austinsurfboards.com

 

I've always wanted one of these boards...how do you like it? and will you ever be selling one of them...

 

EPS vs Poly boards stir a debate. However, both have its pros and cons. On an EPS board (not the punchout boards like surftech, BIC ect.) you can rip. But, its easier to snap on heavier days, don't ask me how I know. I prefer an eps board on bigger overhead days where theres more face to turn. EPS boards might chirp a bit more if there's a ripple on the face of the waves, but i dont care. Backside snaps are awesome. On smaller down the line type of days I prefer a heavier poly board. It feels like it has a bit more rive down the line. Just me...

 

so far it's amazing, but I have only been out 3 times on her and the surf those days was pretty crappy.

Which Cooper do you have?
also how do you like the Bing NR2? I used to have the NR1 but couldn't get into it. The glassed on fin was too much drag for my tastes

 

I have all bases covered but I love to LB it has really grown on me as I have gotten older (currently 39). I think when you get a little older you realize you dont give a sh*t about carving up every wave and more importantly realize the waves are crap 8 times out of 10 on the EC in the summer so a LB makes those not so great seasons a lot more fun. I actually bought the pop out Walden for my wife but ended up liking it a lot. Surfs like a shortboard but paddles well. They are crap construction though the thing has huge pressure dings from bigger sessions I dont see it lasting long.

Longboards
9'2" Board Design IsIs (Custom picking up in CA in December ...pumped)
9'4" Cooperdesign Nosedevil
8' Walden Magic Poly
9' Garage sale find not sure who made it but i like it.

Shorties
7 Custom Big Guy Tri (Hand shaped by guy in Carolina cant rememebr the name now)
6'4" Stretch Pug Quad (Had it shaped for me)
6' Surfboards California Retro Fish glassed on twin (HAd a shop out in PB CA shape for me)

Also have 2 SUPs
11 Oxbow (have a house on the bay at the beach so i use this to paddle on flat water)
9'6" Naish Quad (surfs sick tons fo fun)

 

Yeah Austin is great! He is full of stoke and it shows in his work. Everything I have by him is top quaility, and he does amazing glass work too. I am glad I don't live closer to VA Beach, or I'd have more of his boards.

I have not been on his Soul Glide yet, but it will probably be my next board

 

birds

birds in the lineup

 

So you're the dude slowing down the process.....j/k.

To be completely honest, What I find most appealing is his attention to detail. Walking in his shop is like walking into an art gallery. Not just the resin work and paint schemes, but the shapes and finish are incredible. His craftsmanship demands respect.

I also like the subtle changes he makes to proven designs in order to make it work for the local surf. I'm not anywhere close to being what I consider an advanced surfer, but I have surfed and handled a ton of boards. He doesn't reinvent the wheel. My impression is that he researches & refines (not re-engineers) proven designs.

Lastly, he just seems like a good dude that found his nitch. While his reputation is well known, he's appears content not being tempted into mass production.

 

Have the 8'6 Waterhog,Love this board,I'll use it for anything under 3 ft.Have had it out in head high thou.Awsome board.Def worth a look.Pretty responsive for a big board and catches waves with ease.

 

8'6" G&S Classic Noserider singlefin- i guess it's not officially a longboard but i'm only 5'6" 140 lbs., so for me it is.

6'4" Roger Beal Quad Egg - for chest high and up

 

Robert August 9'6" 'What I Ride" tuff lite model; pleasantly surprised for my 1st hard shell longboard, love the float for my weight, heck of wave catcher and responsive down the line as doesn't feel like a 9.6

 

I have a Mello Yellow and it only use for "Special Ocassions" now since they dont make that model anymore.

I like the NR2 it is a really good board for Knee to OH waves and nose rides very well.

With my board order this year I am on the fence with the last board I wanna get

Either a Device, Bing Nose Rider, Austin or longboards my Micha Wood (Wood Surfboards)

 

okay i agree but like realistically if you are having fun surfing on any board and staying out of peoples way i do not really see the big deal in what ever you ride

 

What he said. You pretty much nailed it in re: Austin. Good stuff !

If we (my company) closes 2010 out on a solid note, I may just be purchasing an Austin board as well as a CI Water Hog.

...hey, let a man dream....

 

For longboards I prefer a heavy board. For one it doesnt ding as easy and for me it feels like it turns smoother and its easier to catch them 1 to 2 foot ripples out there. Just depends in the shaper and dims your board has aswell.

 

Stretch

I've looked at some of the Stretch boards. How do you like the '6'4" Stretch Pug Quad (Had it shaped for me)'? Is that an EPS board? Stretch has some nice looking EPS boards that I've been wondering about purchasing. Looking at a hybrid/shortboard type board with good flaot to catch the smaller stuff here in VB. Just curious on your take...

Thanks!