Surfing Waves

i've heard more surfboard brands in the past few weeks then ever, im curious to see what everyone thinks are the top 5 shapers/manufacturers..granted it will vary by location but still...im curious and would like to check em out.

Its something I used to worry about too, but fairly recently I've realised that as long as the basic construction of the board is good, which means all of the top known brands and most of the local shapers too, then you only have to get the right shape for you.
The right shape for you depends on two things - 1)it has to be a shape that fits you - as in your size, weight, surfing style, surfing stance, and surfing ability level,
2)it has to suit the conditions you intend to surf it in.

If you get a board which is the right shape for you from a local shaper it will be BY FAR a better board than one from any top shaper such as Al Merrick, Rusty, Lost etc that is not so suited to yourself.

So what you have to do now is find out what is the right shape for you, which can be a long process of trial error, but thats half the fun of surfing .

But to answer the actual question, in no particualr order -

Lost
Webber
Rusty
Al Merrick
HIC

And waiting in the wings we have -

Aloha
DHD
Dharlburg
Spider
Town and Country
Hot Buttered
and many more which I can't remember right now


Oh yeah and this is the shortboard answer of course!

i totally agree with you on the custom shaped boards being the best, but its always nice to know whos makin em out there that are quality. thanks for the responce!