To celebrate my 10th year surfing I was inspired to talk to a local shaper and get my first hand-shaped board. My plan was to get something similar to my 9’6” longboard. Knowing I like it, this way I could have a more personalized version and sell my old one.
While the shaper is willing, he put the question in my mind- why replace what is working? Why not keep my board and add something new? His preference for our breaks is a glider around the same length as my current board. He thinks it would give the kind of ride I am looking for.
I am not a very direct person, I commented to him more than once that it is hard to request a board I’ve never ridden... which did not get me an offer to try it before I buy it. Shaping is a hobby for him, not his career and I don’t have the impression he has stacks of boards he can loan out.
My hubby remarked that that has been the case for every board I’ve ever had. Ive bought every board blindly and had no regrets.
I’ve been researching gliders. I am not thinking 11 feet... I don’t want anything longer than what I have. I read that they are fast and catch waves well. They work from knee high to overhead.
I wonder if anyone can offer food for thought. My skill level is- competent at catching shoulder high and going down the line, beginning to cross step, never been to the nose. I can do some sluggish, gentle maneuvers to position near the curl. I don’t readily head out in overhead conditions though I’ve been out there and caught some that happened. I enjoy swooping up and down the wave. I’d like to develop the ability to do cutbacks and step up and down the board...
Meeting the shaper made me feel like a teetotaler talking to a wine expert. What do I want?? The shiny blue one!
