Importing longboard to U.K.- shaper recommendations

[lady_slider]

Hi everyone!

Looking for a little advice from fellow surfers across the pond...
I’m wanting to purchase a longboard with a bit of old school soul & heritage...be it a US or Aussie import.
I’m based in the U.K. and have a small quiver of boards shaped by local shapers for a variety of conditions...but cannot deny wanting to covet a beautifully shaped and finished log from a renowned brand/shaper/glasser which can hang in all its beauty on the wall when not in use or have good resale value if for some reason that should have to happen.
I’m an average female logger and board of choice would be a general all rounder but with an emphasis on cruise and being able to dance on it! A wave catching machine used mainly on clean/cleanish 1-3ft waves. Surfing beach breaks.
The availability I have of custom boards I’m able to import & who I admire are Bing, McTavish, Takayama, Hobie, Almond, Dead kooks & Harbour.
The first 4 are obviously full of heritage...the Almond boards I think are just beautiful and I know they are glassed at Waterman’s Guild so quality & heritage right there...but who shapes them? do they surf well? Are they generally popular? I assume Almond is more of a lifestyle brand? Would they & Dead Kooks be more ‘hipster’ as opposed to ‘heritage’?
I’m leaning toward a Bing/McTavish or Almond (Silver Spoon, fireball evo square, lumberjack).

It’s a huge purchase and I’m sure I won’t go wrong with whatever option from the above! But any input would be great

[jaffa1949]

Add to your options a Mitchell Rae, Outer Island Northern NewSouth Wales Australia or Jed Done Surfboards at Pambula southern New South Wales Australia from Switchfoot surf there!
Bing and Mctavish good too! Good time to buy Aussie it is down low in exchange rates
Know the Aussie boards well , and liked the Bings I saw in Indonesia.
Welcome .hope we can help you find a good one!

[waikikikichan]

How strong are you ? Have you ever picked up one of those Bing classics ?

[dtc]

I'm Aussie as well (like Jaffa) and McTavish are pretty common around the traps. They are seen as a bit old school (the middle aged guy sipping a latte in the carpark with the McTavish and the BMW X5), but no one denies that they are well made - they are just costly and McTavish is so established as a shaper he has become 'gentrified'. However, as practical surfboards they are highly rated.

Dead Kooks is pretty hipster, at least from where I sit. But I'm also old and no one wants an old hipster! Without a question its the hipsters that have re-invigorated longboarding around Australia, its not uncommon to see a surf pack full of longboarders ranging from late teens through to, well, whatever (70s?) with nary a shortboarder in sight. I'm out on my 7'4 and have the shortest board there. And Dead Kooks make beautiful boards and have their (his, I guess) finger on the pulse of modern surfing.

Now everything I have said above is totally superficial perception and market image. Nothing really to do with actual surfing or their boards (and is the perception of a middle aged guy, so even less useful to a UK female surfer!). As Jaffa says, all of the ones you have named (and he has named) make great, long term and good looking boards. I wouldnt worry too much about whether you buy person A or person B; get the board that looks like the one for you.

[lady_slider]

Add to your options a Mitchell Rae, Outer Island Northern NewSouth Wales Australia or Jed Done Surfboards at Pambula southern New South Wales Australia from Switchfoot surf there!
Bing and Mctavish good too! Good time to buy Aussie it is down low in exchange rates
Know the Aussie boards well , and liked the Bings I saw in Indonesia.
Welcome .hope we can help you find a good one!

Hi Jaffa!
Thanks for the welcome and also your response and additional recommendations. I have looked at the other two shapers mentioned and lovely boards...the only reason i've gone with the 'big boys' is that we have a lot of distributors locally importing these so it's an easier process for me and less expensive as i only pay for the price of the board and no shipping costs/import taxes etc as they are shipped as a large group order. Also most individuals here in the UK covet such classic brands and go gaga over them so should one ever come up second hand it's snapped up in seconds and with little loss of value. One of our biggest importers of classics has a waiting list of appx 100 people for a second hand Bing!

How strong are you ? Have you ever picked up one of those Bing classics ?

Hi Waikikikichan!
I'd say i'm pretty strong I'm 5'9" and long! Tall enough with long enough arms to carry a 23" width easily and tall enough to manhandle the board onto my car roof rack. Never have to carry the board far as live within 5 mins of my local....and most beaches here are very easy access from a car park. My current longboard is a 9'4 full volan triple stringer and i have no problems. In terms of the Bings yes i have picked one up and surfed it too. My local surf shop is the main distributor of Bings and have the Silver Spoon, Levitator, Elevator, Mr.Rodgers and of course the James Parry (our own British logger!) models currently stocked. Yes they are fairly big boards but no problem for me to handle. They suggested the Silver Spoon as a good all round no frills log and suited to the waves at our beach. Also recommended by Margaret Cavani. Lots of lady loggers out in Bali on the Bings! and love them which is where i had my first surf on one

I'm Aussie as well (like Jaffa) and McTavish are pretty common around the traps. They are seen as a bit old school (the middle aged guy sipping a latte in the carpark with the McTavish and the BMW X5), but no one denies that they are well made - they are just costly and McTavish is so established as a shaper he has become 'gentrified'. However, as practical surfboards they are highly rated.

Dead Kooks is pretty hipster, at least from where I sit. But I'm also old and no one wants an old hipster! Without a question its the hipsters that have re-invigorated longboarding around Australia, its not uncommon to see a surf pack full of longboarders ranging from late teens through to, well, whatever (70s?) with nary a shortboarder in sight. I'm out on my 7'4 and have the shortest board there. And Dead Kooks make beautiful boards and have their (his, I guess) finger on the pulse of modern surfing.

Now everything I have said above is totally superficial perception and market image. Nothing really to do with actual surfing or their boards (and is the perception of a middle aged guy, so even less useful to a UK female surfer!). As Jaffa says, all of the ones you have named (and he has named) make great, long term and good looking boards. I wouldnt worry too much about whether you buy person A or person B; get the board that looks like the one for you.

Hi dtc!
Ha! Thanks for the brilliant description of McTavish I find part of me in love with the old school heritage, heart & soul of longboarding and it's shapers (with lattes in hand ) and the other part loving whats coming out from the new school hipsters (who still keep traditional at the heart of their shapes). We too in the UK have the same packs of 'hipsters' ruling the waves on those offshore days on some beautiful boards...having loads of fun! I was actually directed toward the Bings and McTavish's by my 'seasoned' surfer friend in his 60's...likes his 'small coffees with a flapjack and rides a classic Honda But then again i'm no 'teen' either and pretty 'seasoned' in life itself Part of me wants to stay 'safe' with the trusted big boys but part of me also wants to have a board which is to the same standard but not owned en mass by all in the water.
I hear what you are saying...i'm ashamed to say i have been procrastinating over the last 3 months on which board to buy and i really need to bite the bullet as i don't think i'll see too much difference between board A & board B for my needs.

If i go with Bing this will only arrive in the UK in spring next year as orders only being taken 'hopefully' in December!!
The Almond, Dead Kook, McT and also a Josh Hall can take a custom order now and be delivered with the next 6-8 wks

Any feedback on Almond at all by anyone who knows of them/surfed their boards?

[voyager]

I might have a 9' 3" Takayama In The Pink , if yer interested......would certainly save you on all that durn import duty
and getting dingedby the couriers!!

[jaffa1949]

Wow Lady Slider, i wish all our posters were as courteous as you and so full of the joy of surfing.
So many posters put up,their post, read the replies and never post back.
Keep us up,to date with your choice and adventures.
I would love to have more women contributing to the forum, because our surfing women make both the forum and the surf better places
Here is one of my happiest photos, Rote Indonesia, a beautiful Woman Doing her Thing on a Bing.
The smile says it all:

[lady_slider]

I might have a 9' 3" Takayama In The Pink , if yer interested......would certainly save you on all that durn import duty
and getting dingedby the couriers!!

Hi Voyager!
I assume you're in the UK? There was a ITP recently listed on a secondhand board forum which was snapped up very quickly!
Is it the original PU model? Happy if you could message through some pics/info. I'm just not sure if the shape of the ITP is what i'm looking for. Not a huge fan of the tear drop design...i think the nose is fairly wide? The Model-T is probably more my style
I get what you're saying about courier dings etc! But the surf stores get regular shipments which seem to arrive ding free! and i don't get charged any import duty...obviously just the exchange rate is the only difference i would pay

Wow Lady Slider, i wish all our posters were as courteous as you and so full of the joy of surfing.
So many posters put up,their post, read the replies and never post back.
Keep us up,to date with your choice and adventures.
I would love to have more women contributing to the forum, because our surfing women make both the forum and the surf better places
Here is one of my happiest photos, Rote Indonesia, a beautiful Woman Doing her Thing on a Bing.
The smile says it all:

IMG_8875.jpg

Thanks Jaffa!
That's so nice of you to say. I try not to be a one hit wonder! We used to have a similar forum here in the UK but sadly that seems to have died a slow death...mostly due to sour cherries amongst members which i find quite sad And yes very few female contributers...i think i had only come across the 1! Surfing should be full of joy as that is why we surf no?!
Of course i will keep up to date with new board and wave happiness it will give! Hopefully this won't be too long
Love the photo! How it should be!

[surferdan1975]

Hey there! Have you looked into Tyler surfboards at all? One of the true masters of log shaping and you can always find his boards in the UK. Another option is to contact Dave at Utopia surf factory in France via instagram or facebook. He's been making these things for well over 25 years and is another true craftsmen. Just two ideas for you to give you food for thought.... It's better to go for the board that suits you, not the brand. Stand out rather than ride the same boards as everyone else good luck with your decision and maybe see you in the line up next time I'm home. Aloha

[RinkyDink]

Seems to me like I run into a lot of rabid Walden Surfboard fans. I'm waiting for a used one to come along so I can try them out. Maybe I'll join the cult.

https://www.waldensurfboards.com/

[lady_slider]

Hey there! Have you looked into Tyler surfboards at all? One of the true masters of log shaping and you can always find his boards in the UK. Another option is to contact Dave at Utopia surf factory in France via instagram or facebook. He's been making these things for well over 25 years and is another true craftsmen. Just two ideas for you to give you food for thought.... It's better to go for the board that suits you, not the brand. Stand out rather than ride the same boards as everyone else good luck with your decision and maybe see you in the line up next time I'm home. Aloha

Hi surferdan!
Yes i have definitley looked into Tyler Surfboards but am finding them to be quite rare in the UK? There is a model available in a Devon surfstore but not really suitable to what i'm would be looking for...and the price is pretty eyewatering at £1600! Just a little over what i can spend!
I've looked at Dave's FB & Instagram page. Cornish man too Lovely work he is doing and no doubt he is crafting beautiful boards. But would he be in the same calibre as going with one of our local shapers here with equal amount of log experience such as Jools at Gulfstream, Diplock, Steve at Empire and Blacker? Obviously i might be wrong! Definitely hear you about wanting something a little different. I do have a couple of custom shapes already tailored to me. It's just that i've always wanted ownership of a beautiful classic log be it American or Aussie. A timeless and proven shape that will last many years...that is why i do love Almond boards...they are beautiful, glassed at Watermans and i have not seen one surfed in the Uk at all...yet! Bings et all i know are pretty much everywhere! But again is this because they are proven to surf great? (and obviously quality is second to none)

Seems to me like I run into a lot of rabid Walden Surfboard fans. I'm waiting for a used one to come along so I can try them out. Maybe I'll join the cult. https://www.waldensurfboards.com/

lol: Personally not my cup of tea in terms of shape! Bit like the In the Pink....seems they are a bit like marmite/vegemite type of shape! So many people love them & many not so much...

[RinkyDink]

This board has been kicking around CL lately. If you want to turn heads with a classic, then you can't go wrong with this baby

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/spo/d/ ... 94339.html

[lady_slider]

This board has been kicking around CL lately. If you want to turn heads with a classic, then you can't go wrong with this baby

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/spo/d/ ... 94339.html

True heritage that....sadly don’t think it would fit on my wall

[voyager]

Hi Voyager!
I assume you're in the UK? There was a ITP recently listed on a secondhand board forum which was snapped up very quickly!
Is it the original PU model? Happy if you could message through some pics/info. I'm just not sure if the shape of the ITP is what i'm looking for. Not a huge fan of the tear drop design...i think the nose is fairly wide? The Model-T is probably more my style
I get what you're saying about courier dings etc! But the surf stores get regular shipments which seem to arrive ding free! and i don't get charged any import duty...obviously just the exchange rate is the only difference i would pay

Yup..in good ol' Blighty! Fraid it's the Tuflite Surftech thing, not the PU....so I guess not really the "classic type thing" you're after?
Here's a link to the model

https://goo.gl/images/fbbRiQ

[lady_slider]

Yup..in good ol' Blighty! Fraid it's the Tuflite Surftech thing, not the PU....so I guess not really the "classic type thing" you're after?
Here's a link to the model

https://goo.gl/images/fbbRiQ

Ah...it’s not what I’m after I’m afraid...but thank you anyway!

[lady_slider]

There is a Stewart Tipster that has come up for sale in superb condition, lovely tint, corrects dims, good price (£600 less than a new import) and a couple of hours away from me....
I’m not that clued up on Stewarts...know of the comp models...seems his boards can be hit & miss with folks...anyone able to offer advice? would I go wrong by grabbing the deal or should I avoid? It seems to have caught a lot of interest!

[voyager]

I used to have a 9' Stewart Colin McPhillips, really nice board to look at, but couldn't get on with it BUT only because I was coming from a 7'2" Bunty Bullet.
Recently borrowed a mates Stewart...exactly the same as the one I had and I loved it! More performance than Classic, ton of rocker and takes a couple more paddles.

[lady_slider]

The Stewart has sold...within hours!...but not to me Ah well...

Before I push the purchase button one more shaper opinion...as it’s an option I’ve been given...
Gordon & Smith? Obviously years of shaping history...good well made longboards? Hold value well?

Thanks to everyone for your helpful input so far! Nearly there!

[waikikikichan]

You might not realize it but your dad's ( or grand dad's ) Schwinn bicycle is not the same as one you buy today ( at big box stores ). Mr. Gordan and Mr. Smith doesn't hand shape the G&S you might buy. In the end, it doesn't really matter whose logo is on the deck, it's how the board rides. I understand you want to get as much positive reviews before you make a big purchase, but buying a board isn't like buying something on Amazon. I myself check out the star "ratings" and user reviews before I purchase stuff on the internet. But surfing has a lot more to do with you, Indian versus the arrow. If you want and think Almond boards are cool, then get those. If you think "pop-outs" are lame, then don't get those.

That Stewart Tipster did look awesome though.

[billie_morini]

lady,
my first suggestion is to talk to a specific shaper in Orange County, California. Here's his contact information. He possesses a surfer's soul. I learned this when he helped me in a pinch in December 2017. He understands the waves and makes beautiful long boards. If you contact him, then tell him billie in Santa Barbara recommended. If necessary, then I'll help get your board from the US to UK.

Hank Byzak
180 Roymar Rd, Ste F
Oceanside, California
760-634-2553
https://www.instagram.com/byzak_surfboards/?hl=en