How, for the love of Jesus, can a stupid question like this stretch 4 pages? If you can't decide what to ride in turd surf, try fishing, it's more rewarding and you won't look like a clown. Are you a surfer or a six year old? PS. this silly conundrum could only exist on the East Coast.
People are bored. Trying reading my original post. Fishing isn't an option...or did you forget that in the lifetime it took reading the 4-pages to provide your "quality" feedback? I've been surfing for over 30 years and I still don't know it all. Perhaps you could share some of your extensive knowledge instead of throwing a cyber tantrum over something you could have easily passed over. I ask questions on the beach and in the line up all the time. Oddly, the only hostile responses I get like this are online...from the safety of your keyboard. You may be a senior member, but you are still a troll. Go away, little man.
Nor should you, Matt. I usually hold my tongue when guys promote local shapers because I know it's the latest "grass roots" trend, but the truth is, I've gone this route several times and have been disappointed. The one benefit of going with a mass produced board is that the shaper has alot of reviews...be it formal or just word of mouth. Styles of surfing may differ, but the design will almost always have duplicable qualities that tend to make a model of board's characteristics known. My personal experience with local shapers is that they are artists and often approach design the way they think you should surf it instead of having the diversity to incorporate the qualities you are asking for. That's why I have no local boards (other than the Bull Fish) in my quiver. They always tend to be disappointing and last less than a year. This will most likely draw alot of fire from zealots, but it's what I've experienced. Matt, is the Bing Pig and/or Malibu Foil super flat?
Hey Ray F. Don't even bother answering people like Salty J. Your just feeding into them. It's what they want. Just ignore them. There's mean spirited nasty people all over the internet.(just check out the comments section on ANY youtube video).
The Bing Pig is your classic 60's style longboard. cooperfish MF. It has a little more rocker and a more modern style fin If you can afford the Full blown Cooperfish you can get a Coopdesigns . They are basicly the same thing but not as detailed with the paint and such . You can get Gene to Shape your coopdesigns for aswell http://www.cooperfishsurfboards.com/cooperfish.html
The Pig rules small surf. As far as local shapers - they make boards that work in our surf. Comparing the east coast to Cali surf is comparing apples to oranges (alot of mass produced board shapes are oriented toward reef breaks and Cali type surf). These guys make boards that work in our surf - if they didn't they would be out of business. Sometimes they can lend a board to you to try if you are serious. They want you to be satisfied. I really have not seen many people who were dissatisfied with their locally shaped board. Also, I've seen more Walden Magic Models up and down the NJ coast than and other brand so I guess that counts for something. And no, I dont have one but I do like them alot. Finally, I always try to ride before I buy. I've swapped out my board for a couple of sets with other guys if they asked and I knew them. It works both ways.
There are plenty of great surfboard shapers on the eastcost, People like Brian Wynn, Jim Barnes , Tim Nolt and Haugue make great boards cause they surf the same waves we do. I have nothing but good stuff to say about there boards. I just feel there are people out there like The good folks at Bing like Chris Del Moro , & Matt Calvani and Gene Cooper at Cooperfish that build some of the most amazing longboards and surfboards in the world . Once you ride one you are hooked on there stuff. They have done some pretty awsome inovations to board design and some of there techniques are becoming industry standars now and they have improve on there timeless classics as well You definalty get your moneys worth if not more when you get one of there boards. I have seen some walden boards out in the line ups and they look pretty good . I seen a couple that were like 7'6 tall and almost 4inches thick . Talk about volume LOL
No, but I started looking after your post. There's a 10'0" NR for sale in NJ. I won't be back up there in the immediate future. I'll keep looking. As far as the Bing's go, the Silver Spoon kinda turned me off. To be completely honest, I didn't find it impressing me in catchability, tail surfing or nose riding. I'll only take a longboard out in decent waves if the crowd is out of control. Otherwise, I'll only take it out on those desperate 1-2 ft days. When it starts getting mid-thigh, the fish is coming out.
I remeber you having one for a short time. I ridden one and I think that boards needs a steep wave for it to perform to its best. Plus I think your fin selection wasnt the helping either. If your ever in my area when there is waves I'll let you take out one of my Bings see if maybe a NR2 or a Elevator with be to your liking
i'm not into the sponge hate at all, but bodyboarding isn't really my thing. don't get me wrong i would prefer the sponge to nothing, but i would have to say longboard over it. i don't even longboard much either. in fact i bought my first one ever just this past winter for those days of ankle/thigh swells. i think i've only used it a half a dozen times so far though.
Ray, there is a very decent quality shaper in your area - Austin Saunders. http://www.austinsurfboards.com/ He built his reputation on building classic longboards, using quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. Does quite nice resin work. And, he will listen to you and shape what you want. Notwithstanding the fact that some shapers "know what is best for you" regardless of what you actually order, one of the real challenges is in communication and also realizing that every board inherently is a set of compromises. Austin also does excellent ding repairs and restorations -- when making semi-regular work trips down to the Tidewater area I used to haul boards down and back that were in need of repair, minor dings through full-on restorations - very, very nice work.
Ausitn does great work also, You can check out some of the boards he has made on his facebook page aswell
http://www.timnoltesurfboards.com/ Surfers Supplies in OC NJ has quite a few in stock and Heritage in OC NJ has a 9'6" Austin in stock.
I know a guy selling a 9'6 Elevator It in mint shape he want 850 I think if your interested let me know
funny new to this site. I had a 10 ft Nolte HP NR 2+1 it was awesome I could catch a calf high wave now I use a Austin 10'4' Blunt I can catch a ripple on that board both were amazing for anything from shin to waste high
either longboard or a bigger fish. on days like that i use my 6'8 fish and i love it; its more flexible than my longboard and allows more turns
