Got a Wrv,shaped by Yinger.The boards awsome.My second wrv.100% handshaped.I don't see how can you compare that to Ron Jon.Seriously?
Some good points have been made. My take on WRV boards is they are somewhat inconsistent. They have always had great shapers throughout the years (as well as those mentioned earlier Redman, Mike Daniels and some other top shapers worked for them) but sometimes the quality/durability isn't there. I guess sometimes they amp up production and the quality suffers. On the other hand you can usually get a good price on them, so if getting a cheap board is your goal..... 2 things I will admit , the boards the Team riders get are really good and That shop is a frigging gold mine! JN
Right on. In that case, I can see the logic in considering a board from WRV. As far as other shapers go, Seasoned makes some decent shapes. Dave Engress at Pride is well known, too (despite affiliation with 17th St.). Austin does incredible work, but he isn't known for his HPSBs. I'd still go in and talk to him before I pulled a trigger on anything. Freedom doesn't have shapers, but gets semi-custom shapes by Vernor & Christenson. They're both west coast guys, but Dave (Feedom owner) works with them to develop Va Bch specific designs for decent off the rack boards. The Outer Banks (where you will eventually migrate your surfing to) has good shapers, as well. Tim Nolte is a shaping icon, as well Scott Busbey of In the Eye (formal part owner of Natural Art).
check out how hard jesse fernandez rips. make sure you remember to add in that its all year long even in the cold NC winters. then add in that he's(along with yinger) been making boards for 20+ years. then add in the previously stated points that WRV makes boards for some of the elite surfers in the world. and wind it all up with the point that they are east coast born and bred, do NOT cost you 800 dollars because they are the latest greatest hot brand, and that they can be easily picked up for a custom hand made board in little over a month means that even though i'm not buying a new WRV everytime i get a board, i think it would be a shame to write them off as a "kooky" brand or 'Ron-Jon" wanna be. my two cents.
Wow...comparing it to BIC, references towards calling it kooky, etc...I've never said any of this. Nor did I express anything but admiration for some of their shapers. I merely said when I walk into WRV (or see the people that plaster their stickers all over their cars), it reminds me of Ron Jon. Before anybody gets insulted, try this: Walk into Ron Jon's, Whalebone & WRV with an open mind. If you cannot honestly see the resemblance, fair enough...hate on me all you want. Jon, get a WRV board. You'll probably be stoked. I've owned 3 off-the-rack shapes (Frierson, Redman & Keesecker) and was never disappointed with the boards. I've gone there to ask about having a board shaped and been disappointed, though. It's just not the same experience as the shops that sell more surfboards than clothes. Before you go into WRV, however, contact some of the other guys mentioned on this thread and talk to them. Don't commit. Check them all out, then go into WRV and ask to talk to somebody about a surfboard. I think you'll see what I'm talking about. Good luck and post your results!
I know what you mean, i went into this shop over near me, a real kooky shop. i was like "do you have any winter gear?" seeing if i can get a lower price or something. they were like "why would you surf in the winter?" i just left.. but yeah alot of shops like that sell real name brands like wrv and ron jon. But personally, i have ridden a couple WRVs, and they ride great. Nothing like a ****ty bic or ron jon
I had a custom WRV shaped by Fernandez done 2 years ago. I got heavier glass then their standard and it has been amazing for me both in durability and the ride. Keep in mind, this is a longboard, not a HPSB. I own about 8 other WRV boards which have all been great boards, some are as old as the very late 60's/early 70's ranging in size from a 6' Fish to a 10' tanker. On another note, I recently decided to try to order 2 more custom longboards. Talking to the guys at the Kitty Hawk store, I faxed down my order form and designs. That was in October. I have called them 4 times since and they still have not quoted me a price. I guess they aren't that interested in making 2 more customs for me. I'm looking elsewhere now....
I've had a ton of boards over the years, but only 1 wrv. It was a pat mulhern, really high performance 6'1''. I picked it up new at a local shop for about 250$. They said it had been sitting there for a long time, for whatever reason. It was probably one of my favorite boards ever, until i broke it... I dont think i saw mulhern mentioned in the discussion above, anybody know anything about his boards?
yinger got shaper of the year a few years ago which should be mentioned. I wasnt a big fan of the 5/8 quad my friend swore by, i thought it rode like s***. as far as psb, thats like asking what fast food companies sell hamburgers. If you dnt have a board yet, poke around jersey and find someone local and tell them exactly what you want. You never know what little things in the design of an off the shelf board may not correstpond wit your needs
I have two WRV boards. Love them. 9'0 is 13 yrs old and the fish is 8 yrs. Raglan made the fish. Excellelent shapes and have withstood alot of wear and tear. My only complaint is that after 13 yrs the longboard deck has delamed and the shortboard has a few soft spots but still rides great. I'd buy new WRVs in a heart beat but also looking at other possibilites since there are so many good shapers out there. I think over the years the WRV shop has lost a little of its quality because of corporate interests but they know east coast surf very well.
I just want to let you know my experience with WRV, I've had both a success and a horror story with them. First, I had gotten a custom XTR WRV Chronic. This was the BEST board I EVER had. I was just magic in Jersey surf and was good from knee high to over head. So does WRV have good boards, YES!. I broke that stick this summer . I went to a well known surf shop in , allenhurst, Monmouth county (I'll leave the name unknown although I should let all of you know about their super sh*tty service). I wanted to order the SAME exact board (I'm a stickler for my shape). I had specifics and had given them to the shop. I wanted XTR foam and WRV only contacted the shop to confirm AFTER the board was shaped (incorrectly might I add). Not only did I pay a rediculous amount for a board I didn't order but the service from both WRV and the shop was horrendous. SO...as for the board it was shaped by Yinger. THIS was the only thing that kept me from bugging out. The board was shaped AWESOME...too bad it wasnt what I wanted. They DO shape good boards if you can get what you want which means calling weekly to make sure they shape correctly. Board wise they are great but service wise they are terrible. Make your call afterall you are giving them a few hundred dollars of your hard earned money.
