Natural surfboards and fins

[Danielturner]

When I went surfing yesterday, I spoted a goup of surfers using wooden surfboards an fins. I had borrowed one and tried it on a strong windswell. I must say that those surfboards performed really well and the fiberglass fin made it effortless to maneuver. I am considering to buy one wooden surfboard and fins. I have checked on some sites that the group suggested like this one shaka-surf.com but could not decide yet. Has anyone got experience on this?

[Big H]

I have this....9'2" glider, pretty heavy and super smooth. According to the website it's made from 100% sustainable balsa wood.....I know the shaper and have surfed with him several times....he rides an 11' beast he refers to as a limousine. I like it.....definitely a different ride; it floats different than either PU or Epoxy boards.....rides lower, is heavy like I said which is great for windy days, but paddles well.

[Big H]

I have a balsa fin that he shaped for the board......don't use it though. Prefer to use a greenough 4-a in either 9" or 9.75".....board is so heavy and carries so much inertia that the larger fin works in better waves and the spring out of the bottom turn is a beautiful feeling.....

[waikikikichan]

Here's a similar wood fin:

Notice it says " Real wood Veneer ". So it's a foam core with a thin veneer layer of wood. But the one you have might be of a different maker.

Same with some of the "woody" surfboards like Surftech's wood series ( which aren't made anymore ) or Firewire's Timbertek. They have the look of wood, but it's just a veneer.

If you're interested in real wood boards, try looking up Tom Wegener.

[Danielturner]

I have this....9'2" glider, pretty heavy and super smooth. According to the website it's made from 100% sustainable balsa wood.....I know the shaper and have surfed with him several times....he rides an 11' beast he refers to as a limousine. I like it.....definitely a different ride; it floats different than either PU or Epoxy boards.....rides lower, is heavy like I said which is great for windy days, but paddles well.

Hi Big H,
The glider looks great and smooth, I really love it.
I need considering if I can handle such a heavy glider on groundswells.
Anyway, thanks for the advice!

[Danielturner]

Here's a similar wood fin:

Screenshot 2018-08-21 at 9.34.04 PM.png

Notice it says " Real wood Veneer ". So it's a foam core with a thin veneer layer of wood. But the one you have might be of a different maker.

Same with some of the "woody" surfboards like Surftech's wood series ( which aren't made anymore ) or Firewire's Timbertek. They have the look of wood, but it's just a veneer.

If you're interested in real wood boards, try looking up Tom Wegener.

Hello Waikikikichan,
Thanks for the info.
I think this two wood fins are abit different from each other as the one I browsed seems to be made of fiberglass.
And while taking these two fins into consideration, I guess I should look up Tom Wegener and check some local eco shapers too.
Thank you!