Surfer's Board Guide

Quiver Surfboards

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:07:29 +0000

Quiver Surfboards finds it’s home at the Seabase factory in Newquay, UK and distributes their boards worldwide. Known for the whole range of surfboards from shortboards, retro fishes, all the way up to mals with technologies using traditional PU and polyester resin, super fused EPS foam and epoxy resin, and carbon rail parabolic technology.
The shapers behind Quiver Surfboards require very little introduction. Mark Neville has shaped boards for the world’s top longboarders including Adam Griffi ths, Ben Skinner, Elliot Dudley, Candice O’Donnell and also recently shaped a board for World Champion Antoine Delperro. Mark has been working at Seabase for over a decade and whilst working at Seabase has shaped boards under licence for Hobie and Stewart. A perfectionist in everything he shapes and voted Longboard Shaper of the Year 2009.
Luke Hart was nominated for the Young Shaper of the Year 2009 and shapes for Alan Stokes, Ollie Adams, Tom Butler, Mitch Corbett, Josh Hughes, and a bunch of well known pro surfers! Luke is relatively new in the shaping world but his presence is known across Europe, and now worldwide with enquiries from WQS surfers.

Seabase Ltd
info@seabase.eu
www.seabase.eu
01637 875 811

Lightning Bolt

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:27:28 +0000

Lightning Bolt is a pure source of inspiration, a surficon born in Hawaii.
Lightning Bolt became the trademark for progressive surfing, through skill in the water, distinction in design and bolt signature. Our history goes back to the beginning of the 70’s, when legendary Gerry Lopez was busy turning the Lightning Bolt logo into the most powerful symbol of the surfing world and starting, at the same time, the shortboard revolution in Hawaii.
The huge 12’ boards, inspired by the ancestral Polynesian wooden flat planks, were then replaced by boards with shapes suited to the various wave sizes and types. There were no limits for the Hawaiian surfers and our boards ruled the huge tubes of Pipeline. The 9’ Guns and 7’ or 8’ Mini-Guns, which had won so many times at Pipeline for Gerry, and later for his fellow surfer and shaper Rory Russell, displayed the Bolt symbol with pride, inspiring the brand’s slogan: “The Bolt – more often seen coming out of the waves’ tubes, across the world”.
After nearly a 30-year hiatus Lightning Bolt is thrilled to reintroduce the surfboards that pioneered the shortboard revolution of the 1970’s and is proud to work with shapers and craftsmen that are state-of-the-art in the game! Rory Russell and Graham Smith are the epitome of just that.
Now it is up to you to choose the board which best suits you’re surfing style and aspirations when riding a retro surfboard of that period and find out why they became so famous!

Lightning Bolt Europe SA
info@lightningbolt.eu.com
Tel. +351 252 300 639
Fax +351 252 300 521

www.lightningbolt-usa.com
www.lightningbolt.eu.com

Firewire Surfboard

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:06:03 +0000

Firewire is committed to advancing surfboard performance through refinements to shape combined with new materials and construction techniques. We believe that refinements to the shape of today’s modern surfboard can only produce incremental performance benefits. Exponential improvements in performance can only be achieved through new materials and construction methods, which in turn will open up new design opportunities.
Collectively Firewire & world-renowned shaper Nev Hyman have developed 3 technologies in our quest to re-defi ne the ‘Future of Shape’. Future Shapes Technology (FST), RapidFIRE (RF) and Direct Drive (DD); three distinct technologies all geared towards one goal – sustained, controlled flex.
The top ASP world tour surfers ride boards built so light they have a small amount of flex. However that fl x comes at the price of durability with many saving their best boards for heats. Not only does Taj enjoy increased controlled flex that does not fatigue over time, he free rides his competition boards.
Firewire boards are not indestructible, but the flex patterns inherent within our technology enable all surfers to experience a performance characteristic that was previously only available to the world’s best surfers. As you turn Firewire surfboards store energy. As the board rebounds to its original rocker the built up energy is released triggering a rapid acceleration, like an arrow shot out of a bow. The enhanced performance generated by sustained, controlled fl ex can improve your surfi ng increasing speed and drive through your turns.
So whether you prefer the WCT proven Future Shapes Terchnology (FST) championed by Taj and Michel Bourez on the world tour, The Direct Drive (DD) carbon rod suspension technology, or the new RapidFIRE (RF) bamboo and carbon rod hybrid, Firewire are the boards to take you surfing to the next level.

Unit 11,
Forrester’s Business Park,
Estover Close,
Plymouth, PL6 7PL

Stockist details:
www.firewiresurfboards.com/dealers.php
Website & Model Info:
www.firewiresurfboards.com

Circle One Surfboards

admin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 09:43:07 +0000

Back in the golden age of the 60’s, CirclesOne owner Jeff Townsley travelled through Southern France, Spain, Portugal, Canaries, Morocco and beyond in the essential beaten up VW campervan. Those journeys like nothing else fired his passion for riding waves and surfing to the highest standard. He also aspired to fi d the gear that would take him to the next level…
So back in the UK and with feet on the ground, it is a classic story of humble corporate beginnings – making boards for himself and his friends copied from US Surf magazines. All the while Jeff was testing new designs, materials and production techniques. And so Circle One was founded in 1969 in Jeff’s home town of Exeter, Devon.
40 years on and the Circle One evolution continues. Today the brand is synonymous with technological innovation and craftsmanship. While embracing cutting edge production methods, you’ll fi nd Circle One surfboard shapes by Jeff, with every board being hand shaped and finished. One major change is the boundaries of board construction are continually being pushed to create super strong, light and durable boards that will blast off in UK surf. It’s a complete package of performance surf gear designed for the modern surfer by a guy who’s been there…
www.circle-one.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1363 773005

Tomo Surfboards

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:55:48 +0000

Tomo is a dedicated and inspired free surfer and surfboard designer, At 28years old he is already being touted as a design guru with the arrival of his ultra modern Performance planning concepts. Backed up by high level of surfing ability and mentoring from some of the sports most legendary surfers and designers Tomo appears to have developed a ‘sixth sense” for developing some of the most radical and unique performance surfboards we have seen in years.
www.tomosurfboards.com
Info@tomosurfboards.com

Tiki Surfboards

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:41:05 +0000

Tiki Surfboards since ‘63. It was a pretty wild ride. From Tim Heyland’s fi rst forays to the North Shore and Dave’s draft dodging Californian road trip, somehow a surf company was born. Stories of blowing blanks in concrete moulds in a farm cottage paint a colourful picture of the early days – a far cry from the established surf industry now.
But you’d need a whole book to document the exploits of Tiki back then. The central focus has always remained the same; it has always been about making good quality surfboards. In the 60’s we blew our own foam and supplied more than half of Europe’s blank requirements. In the 70’s we went crazy with the shortboard revolution. The 80’s got lost in a fluoro haze and the 90’s saw the start of the technological revolution that has brought us to now.
We have always been fortunate, by design or by chance, to be at the forefront of new developments in surfing. Whether it’s new shapes or new technology, we’re on it and the product reflects that. This range encompasses all of this – innovative shapes, multiple fin combo’s, advanced Carbon and SLX materials and all affordable to real surfers, just as it’s always been.
Tiki International
www.tikisurf.co.uk
01271 812442
info@tikisurf.co.uk

Diplock Phoenix Surfboards

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:31:12 +0000

1987 Was when Chris (Bro) Diplock first got into surfboard shaping after his first surf trip to Australia when he realised his goal in life was to become a surfboard builder. On his return he got work with a local surfboard manufacturer where he started to pool his knowledge and gain valuable experience.
Many years down the line he teamed up with Paul Fluin who is another extremely talented board builder, with a combined experence of over forty years of production behind them,they have created the unsurpassed “Dream Team” (Diplock Phoenix) producing the highest quality surfboards for all shapes, sizes and styles from tiny grom boards to 10′ + logs.
Diplock Phoenix has invested heavily in the pursuit of perfection and consistency. An inhouse aps 3000 shaping machine is the pinnacle of surfboard shaping technology which allows us to utilise our wealth of knowledge to produce super consistent profiles to work from to get your next magic board.
Importing Farrelly Surfblanks the best performing surfboard foam in the world is available in five different weights, which enables us to start with the most suitable core which gives you the customer the best possible product.
Diplock Phoenix specialises in custom made surfboards. Our passion is to get the right board for the right person be it an ‘upto-the- minute’ shortboard using the latest technologies (i.e. carbon and epoxy) or a ‘traditionally’ made longboard with the fi nest resin tints, volans and finishes available.
www.diplockphoenix.co.uk
orders@diplockphoenix.co.uk
01208 816095

Mica Surfboards

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:20:38 +0000

Mica combines his job as a shaper with his passion for surfing. At the age of fifteen he started working in one of the best Portuguese surfboard factories to earn money for his first surfboard. The fascination grew and soon Mica became a good enough surfer to be sponsored and enter competitions. After he quit his professional surfi ng career, Mica’s friends Ricardo and Tiago pushed him to create his own brand Micasurfboards in 2005.
Working closely with surfers to build boards for better individual performance is the goal of Micasurfboards. Travelling and learning from some of the best surfboard constructors in Australia and Hawaii means Mica is continually fi ne-tuning his shaping techniques and feedback from friends who ride Micasurfboards refresh his vision daily.
Protection of the environment is especially important for Micasurfboards. “Everybody knows the worldwide surfboard production is 100% chemical, however I am trying to reduce this damage as much as possible by preferring and recommending MDI Polyurethane, which is the least hazardous foam and recycling tapes, sandpapers, acetone, etc.”
“Building surfboards is my passion, my love, my life, it is what I do!” – Mica Lourenco Micasurfboards made by surfers.
Ericeira – Portugal
www.micashapes.com

Imagine Eco Surfboards

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:09:39 +0000

We only have one earth, and we need to look after it. At Imagine Eco, we believe that all steps should be taken to make our boards as environmentally friendly as possible. Our Eco boards are made with the most ecological materials we could fi nd. In fact, we have already reduced the carbon footprint of our boards over standard surfboards by an amazing 60%! And it doesn’t stop there. We are constantly working with others to develop even better boards. By better boards, we mean both more ecological and more performing. We are, on a global scale, a small company; privately owned, and managed by a team of surfers who really care about surfi ng and the world we surf in. Corran Addison, our South African shaper does the majority of his design and testing in Hawaii. After all, this is where it all started. And we love to innovate. Everything from asymmetric surfboards, or take-apart boards, to using ecological materials, are part of what makes us who we are. Our focus is to help save the earth while we ride to the maximum of our ability, and not having to choose between performance and ecology is fundamental to our program. We have been adamant about putting performance fi rst, and it shows when you jump onto one of our boards and take it for a spin. So now you can do something to stop the terrible tide of destruction that comes from the standard method of making surfboards.
www.imaginesurfboards.com
corran@imaginesurfboards.com
(514) 583 3386

Empire Surfboards

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:48:10 +0000

For me, the key elements of board building are function, craftsmanship and aesthetics all of which play a key role in the surfi ng experience. When I started shaping as a teenager, surfi ng for me was a soulful and often solitary pursuit, which I found diffi cult to reconcile with the contemporary surf media. Disenchanted by what I saw I looked elsewhere for inspiration and in the lines drawn by the likes of Wayne Lynch, Terry Fitzgerald and Gerry Lopez I saw something that I felt had been lost in the modern shortboard. Although the shortboard enables impressive performance, there is a cost; planing speed, glide and trim have all been sacrifi ced in the pursuit of manoeuvrability.

Using the pre-thruster boards of the late seventies as a starting point I began building and testing my ideas on glide and fl ow. As I learnt which design elements gave me the performance characteristics I wanted, I made refinements and improvements.

This refinement and progression has been continuing over the last fifteen years and in that time I have been lucky enough to work with and learn from many great shapers. I continue to develop this design ethos through continuous experimentation and evolution; applying modern foiling, rocker and rail theory to alternative templates and designs, some of which were all but discarded thirty to forty years ago. My aim is not to recapture the past but to reexamine it with thirty years of hindsight and advancement to produce something that is both forward thinking and unique.
www.empiresurfboards.com
info@empiresurfboards.com
+44 (0)7734 526337