Do I buy a custom board in Bali?

[benjl]

Hey guys

So I'm heading over to Bali with my gf for just over a week at the end of September. Unfortunately this trip was booked before I started surfing so wasn't planned around surfing as an agenda, but I will aim get at least 1-2 days over there.
However I was thinking it could be a great time to get a custom boad made while our dollar is good as they seem so cheap compared to custom boards here.

I have two queries:
1). Firstly, I think I may have found the board I would like custom made (the 6'3 Ninja version of this but with 5 fin plugs for quads and slightly thinner rails than the full/boxy rails as standard). I figure this would be around 32.5L and would end up being my go to board for basically everything around Auckland, NZ. Or get the 'Robot' model instead with the same length and volume?
Ninja: http://www.redzsurfboards.com/ninja
Robot: http://www.redzsurfboards.com/robot
Is it also worth buying all the optional extras such as carbon fibre stringer / kevlar strips down the stringer? Going to an expoxy EPS rather than fibreglass construction? Getting Carbon Parabolic rails? All these will add about another $200 to the board meaning it will be about $7-800 and then is it even getting one made as at that price its about the same as a full custom board here.

My Second query-
2). I am in Kuta for the first 4 nights and then going to Ubud for the last 4 nights. I therefore would either have to order this boad from NZ a month in advance and pick up in Kuta, but then lug it around for the rest of the trip and back or pick it up on my back to the airport from Ubud (I would't be able to use the boad over there on this option).
How good are handling services around Bali and would it be likely that the board would just be smashed around while trying to take it from city to city? I've heard some bad cab experiences.
I think we're flying with Virgin Australia- anyone have experience with them carrying boards? once again, I've heard bad stories of planes smashing up peoples boards.

Any feedback on this would be great. Thanks

[dtc]

The robot looks good but thats for me; the ninja looks a bit high performance. Cant help you out, you know what you want..

The fancy manufacturing I think depends on whether you believe you will be keeping the board for a long time - if you are going to sell it, or arent sure, or think it might be only for a year or so, I wouldnt bother. You wont get your money back I think, if thats an issue.

But if you want something different or light, because you want to or just to try it out, then go for it. I mean, its still not overly expensive and you wont get the chance again (or for a while)

As to transport, there are certainly people who can transport boards around Bali, but they probably dont go to Ubud all that often I imagine. You can get mini buses or people movers from the larger hotels and there are transport companies that have roof racks (so you will need a bag etc) and a lot of motorbikes have surf racks, but standard taxis are just normal size.

So first question is how you are planning to get from Kuta to Ubud - if you are being picked up by someone who is able to take the surfboard and they are also taking you to the airport, then no problems. If you are winging it, then its going to be a hassle/risk.

You could always ask the shaper if you can pick the board up and surf it, then store it at the shop until you return. They might do it; I donk know how out of the way that will take you (you need 3 trips to the shaper - pick the board up, drop it off, then pick it up again). Denpasar traffic is like most of Asia, it ranges from slow to insane. But you might be able to get the shaper to wrap the board up well for you to put on the plane - bubble wrap it or something - for another few dollars.

Dont know specifically about Virgin but everyone who flies to Bali deals with surfboards. Up to you though to protect it well

[jaffa1949]

Bubble wrap and a proper board travel bag , take the fins out and thicken the B/wrap around the nose and tail. Should do OK.
If you like the deal do it.

[waikikikichan]

you are not ready for the swallow tail of the Ninja model. I totally do not recommend swallow tails for beginners. Also go look at the used board section at your local surf shop. Check out the majority of swallows tails have cracks, chips or been repaired. If you want to keep your GF as your GF, make the trip more about her and less about your stoke on saving money on a custom board from Bali ( which in the end will actually cost more ).

[benjl]

Out of curiosity- why would you not recommend a swallow tail to beginners? Almost every board I've had has been a swallow tail and i've stuck waves over my head height on my Andrerson swallowtail, comfortably.
Considering they help with speed and I want this board to be my 'everyday go to board' in all conditions small (1ft) or big (6ft), the shaper actually recommended this board over squash tail models he had.

[waikikikichan]

Since you're sticking overhead waves, you are not a beginner. My apologies, since you stated you booked your trip to Bali before you started surfing, I figured you would have been surfing for only 1 year or less.

[benjl]

I have been surfing less than a year, only 9 months.. haha. But i guess I progressed and got in to surfing very eagerly. I caught my first shoulder-head high wave after about 6 months on that Anderson.
I'm now down to a 6'3 x 18.5 x 2.25" (27L) board that I can use comfortably although would jut like something with a bit more chest volume and with 5 fin plugs to use when waves are really small.

Still out of curiosity, why is a swallow tail no good for beginners? Is there something I should watch out for or specifically do if I get this ninja board? I basically went straight from never surfing before to a 7'6 minimal for about 3 months and then went on to a 6'2 fish that someone in the surf shop recommended for beginners?

Cheers

[Monkey4450]

How was your trip? Did you end up getting a board made? Post pics!

[Monkey4450]

Nevermind, saw your other post.