What do you think about Spider surfboards?

[sello]

I've seen one of this last week end. Just seeing it it looks nice. It is so comfortable to use and it catches waves really good.

[garbarrage]

Gave the board a baptism of fire this evening, and have to admit it is a peach of a board. Was quite a steep day on the beach and the banks weren't ideal so was expecting a hard time on a board smaller than I'm used to, but as it turns out it has a deceptive amount of volume, and picks up waves almost as easily as my 6'8. Good bit of volume in the tail so holds ok through the flat sections but when the wave steepens up a bit the board really comes alive. Good in the pocket and screams down the line.

Will update about how the glass job holds up, bearing in mind that it is glassed quite light I won't slate it if it takes knocks from my own stupidity, or from a hard knock amidst the chaos that sometimes occurs in the water, only if like my previous Spider a slight knock that I know shouldn't have caused a ding makes a hole, or like my previous Spider, the top decides it doesn't like the bottom anymore and the rails decide to split on their own.

In the interest of a fair review, for the same board were I a paying customer, the board plus delivery would have cost €420. This is about €40 more than I paid for my custom DH (Dodge-Harrison) which is also a great board but still in the same ball park. However, the Spider arrived ready to surf about a month quicker than my DH. It surf's every bit as well in my local conditions as the DH which shouldn't be surprising as I have been informed by LTiegs that Spider has spent some time surfing here so knows the local conditions.

As much as I hate to admit it, it has me questioning whether my previous assumption that a local shaper is definitely "better" should be so set in stone. I'm not saying that the Spider is better than my local custom, just that based on ride and performance there isn't much to choose between them.

As I said previously, I'll keep an update on how the glass job holds up (which was my biggest issue on my previous Spider), but at the moment between Spider boards and my local shaper's it's neck and neck. If it stays that way based on the glass job I'd have to say a draw is a win for LTiegs, and he can chalk one up on his predecessor.

[hustn]

I am thinking of getting a Spider board and curious about an update from your last post.

Still riding it, garbarrage? Talk to us.

Btw. what model did you receive? Is it the Hydro one?

[garbarrage]

Can't fault it so far mate. Only had it out a handful of times as the channels seem to pick up any chop and super glassy days have been rare. Other board seems to hold up a bit better when it's rough. As soon as I see smooth walls, or waves that throw out a bit though, can't help but reach for it. And yes, it's the Hydro-X.

Truly, great service, and a much better product than I've seen in a long time from Spider. Still not a mark on it. Very careful with it so far. You know how it is with a new board. Softly, softly till it gets its first ding, and then smash crash, wallop. But holding up as well as I'd expect a board to.

[hustn]

Thanks for the update.

Cheers
Jan (from Germany)

[Wave4Surf]

Seem to be awesome boards..

[garbarrage]

What one did you get ? Still loving mine, and still not a scratch on it. Don't know how after last week. Little ripper dropped in on me, when I called him, instead of pulling off he cut back. Bit of a collision followed. He came out far worse as he only weighed about 8st and I had the power if the lip behind me. His board had a huge crack in the rail. Was sure mine was stuffed when I saw his board, but nothing. Still can't believe it. Definitely an element of luck involved.

Thinking of ordering something floaty for the summer from them. Really want to stay off the longboards, after the tragic end to my surfing abilities last year. 3 months of weak swell on a longboard. When I went back onto a shortboard as the swell picked up, it was like learning all over again for a month or so.

[hustn]

After reading your review and the fact that i was going to South Africa anyways, I ordered a Hydro-X as well (btw. it was also the recommendation from Spider). Thing was that I was starting my vacation in Cape Town, so the board had to be flown in from Durban where it was shaped. Always risky to go somewhere without a board and no shaper around (had a very bad experience in Peru once when nothing was ready - especially when you are 2m tall at 100kg+ and you wanna get a shortboard in South America..) Anyways, the board was ready for pick up at the airport and all was good (thanks to Tamarys from Safarisurf, who always responded in no time to my ever changing wishes ). besides the fact that i was kinda disappointed about the surf in South Africa (especially the Atlantic side) the board worked well in all kind of conditions. That is, strange wind swells and solid ground swell at the Indian ocean. Not quite sure if the board works only in glassy conditions as you pointed out. I used it every day for a month no matter how the surf was and it always felt good - except for the ankle-high days where I missed my big fish. Btw. I was surprised how soft the channels are - I thought they were way deeper. As my board had no dings whatsoever before flying back home, I was afraid it would get some from the flight - especially as my DHD broke (!) last December on its way back from Marocco. But luckily it survived the trip back without any damages. Long story short: The hydro-x is a solid allround-board and my new favourite board for travelling.

[ktlin]

garbarrages latest post did a "Hard Reset". I will defend ourselves in every instance, now and in future.

[midnightwolf]

Thanks for the posts garbarrage. Iv had my heart set on a bomb for a while(for when im ready to move to a shortboard, which i think im nearly there) but i came across some bad reviews. but now i cant wait, saving for it now

[garbarrage]

How long you been surfing midnightwolf? Spider boards tend to be glassed quite light, as is my hydro-x. If you are still a bit clumsy with your board, I'd recommend you ask specifically for your board to be glassed a bit heavier, which I'm sure Spider will be happy to do for you.

As I said in a previous post, as I got the board fairly cheap I went for performance over durability so got it glassed light. The boardbag weighs more than the board lol!! Got its first ding a week ago but was entirely my fault, but that's not bad going at nearly a year old. Took a while to find the right waves for the board, as I have another "magic board" which is glassed a bit heavier, which I take out on bigger days or if it's really windy as I feel the extra weight helps fight the wind a bit better, but I can safely say the hydro-x is easily the best board I've ever had. I never believed those board descriptions that say you can go 2" shorter than your normal shortboard, but with quite a wide nose the hydro-x really does let you go that little bit shorter.

[midnightwolf]

2 years this summer, i dont live too near surf so only get out every couple of weeks lol. i was thinking of getting a custom since the shops dont stock anything for my hight (im 5ft and 9st so the shop said a 5 4 should be good, and like you said you can go shorter with these boards) and i dont like the patten on the bombs that shops get. i was looking at the form and thinking of getting a heavier glass job done anyway. although i dont think i'l hit it on anything out of the water, im not sure about in the water lol.

i think a bomb will suit the waves i surf better then a hydro, but i do love the look of those boards. my friends getting a hydro when i get my bomb.

[mhbsurf]

The reason i got my 5' 10" Spider Bomb is because i'm getting on a bit and need a board that gets me into waves a lot quicker and easier than a normal shortboard. I live in Newquay, Cornwall and my Bomb works perfectly on the waves here in 2ft to headhigh. When the waves are weak or its onshore slop, I find the Bomb will still catch the waves and still keep the speed in the flat sections. In all honesty I love my Bomb and will never go back to the standard shortboard again... I also have a 6'1" Hydro X which I use in anything bigger than headhigh waves or if the waves have slightly more punch. I think Spider Murphy has got it so right with these two types of boards and if I was ever to meet the guy I'd probably kiss his feet! Anyway i could go on forever about how good these boards are but why not find out for yourselves and get on

[Caine]

Hi, I am reviving this thread as I am interested in the boards of that company.
When the thread was started the feedback on these boards were negative in regards of the glassing and durability.
That changed later on. How is the situation in 2017?
Who is surfing a spider surfboard right now? Could they maintain their improved quality?
Would love to hear some new feedback here.

[garbarrage]

The one I got to test is still going strong. So, in the fullness of time, I think it's safe to say that whatever issues they had, have been addressed.

[jaffa1949]

Long time no hear gabarrage, happy hi to you

[billie_morini]

I cannot help it...

[jaffa1949]

Did you check the web for that ? Arachnophilia?