Surfing Waves

I'm probably gonna be called out as a troll for this, and it wouldn't be completely untrue, but it seems that the whole idea of supporting our local shapers is mostly being pushed by the shapers themselves.

I've bought my last two boards from my local guy, and I will continue to buy from him. Not because I want to "support" him, but because I believe I'm getting a better board at a better price with better service. Both boards I bought came out doing exactly what I asked for, properly shaped for the local conditions and what I told him my skill level was.

Having said that, if I thought I was getting better value off the rack I'd just buy there. I have no personal interest in preventing my shaper from getting a normal job like all the regular dickheads like me do, and I don't demand that any of my other surfing gear be produced locally.

Thoughts?

Forage mate you're not a troll you are genuinely putting up a thought for consideration. Yes I'm sure the shapers enjoy the benefits of "the support your local shaper" plan but IMO if we don't support local small business sooner or later we end up buying everything from a conglomerate mega super big type warehouse store and lots of little guys' businesses have been swallowed on the way through.


I also believe that once something like a surf board becomes only a commodity or fashion accessory evolution will cease.
To a certain extent that is happening now if you browse the questions on the forum, ask yourself how many are fashion based because the newbies are being sold to on that basis, rather than facts. I could go on but it looks like

I say buy local whenever possible. I also say buy green whenever possible. Gotta live within your means though.