Board Retailer Guide 2017

Choosing a board in an era of information and model overload can be a stressful proposition. Every board does not work for every person in every type of wave. But there are a few ways to narrow down your choice. Trevor Clayton has been matching boards with customers at Down the Line for years, so who better to ask for a few tips?

Finding the perfect board in an era when we are all overloaded with technology, facts, figures, reviews and opinions can be a complete nightmare. But there are ways to file it all in to categories to simplify the task … Firstly follow some basic rules:

Rule number one: Always be honest with yourself on your ability. In my experience there are basically three levels of surfers. The learner/intermediate surfer, the top 10 percent i.e. the contest guys/high level performance crew and then the rest of us. The vast majority of boards on the market are directed at the average guy these days so most of us are in luck.

Now you’ve decided where you sit then you must decide what size of wave you want this board to surf in. Again this is where you must be honest with yourself. Think of the wave in three sizes: up to chest high, chest high to a few feet overhead then from there upwards. For most surfers this is where you are going to be. There are a few of the guys who froth when it’s the size of a house but really most of us stop when it’s double overhead. So now you’ve worked out that say you are Joe Average who wants a board for chest high to overhead waves then you can fine tune it again.

Full grovellers are specialist boards and sit in a category of their own. If you are not going surf anything much overhead the majority of surf is small then look at these models.

If you are thinking to yourself that this board is for chest high surf, you might be using it as an all around board for travelling. Again bear this in mind. Boards with more curve like waves with more curve. The flatter waves over here like a flatter rockered board with a tad more foam in the rail. Where as the average Indo all-rounder will have a touch more curve with quite often less foam in the rail.

Go to your shaper or surf shop and tell them the boards you have ridden recently, and this is really important, which ones you liked and which ones you didn’t. The shop/shaper then should be able to direct you to a group of boards for you to choose from and at the same time direct you away from the ones they feel you won’t like.

Another handy tip here is if you have had boards from one shaper and you loved it then there is a good chance that you will like his other models. On the same note if you have had a few not so amazing boards from one shaper then it’s worth giving someone else a go.

For older guys remember to compare boards to those you ’tried recently’. We all remember that that magic 6’2″ we used to surf and forget that at that time we were actually 15-years younger and were surfing seven times a week. For the most part the board maybe wasn’t that magic but you were at your physical peak and surfing every daylight hour in all conditions.

A good shaper or shop owner will take all the information you give them about your old boards plan shape, foam, rocker, rail types compute the variances based on years of knowledge and experience, cross referenced with other customers experiences (basically thousands of conversations) and point you towards a shape or shaper that they think you will have most fun on. Listen to them.

Sometimes they will suggest boards a world away from what you imagine you should be riding, but at the end of the day these guys probably know more about the boards you are surfing than you do…

View the 2017 Carve Board Guide: click here

Bathsheba Surf

Bathsheba Surf is a long established surf shop that stocks a large variety of surfboards from near and far. Including Skindog Surfboards, Fourth, Lost, Hayden, 7S, LibTech, Cortez, Hawaiian Soul and CBC. Whatever you need, we should have it covered!

Web: www.bathshebaonline.co.uk

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: bathshebasurf

58 Surf

The surfer/artist Ivo Nisa opened the first 58 Surf in 1999 in Baleal, Peniche. Today 58 Surf stocks over 1000 boards, offers some of the most unique boards on the market and provides all the necessary support to ensure you choose the right board for you.

Web: 58surf.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: 58surfshop

Instagram: 58surfeurope

Aloha Manly Style

Aloha Manly Style has a massive range of new and used boards, from grommets and beginners, through to pro levels. Our range includes world top shapers, Al Merrick, DHD, JS, Lost, Firewire and many more. All staff are keen surfers, friendly and helpful with an extensive knowledge of all surf equipment.

Web: www.alohasurfmanly.com

Tel: +61 (02) 9977 3777

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Aloha Manly Style

Instagram: alohamanlystyle

Secret Spot

We stock one of the largest ranges of surfboards in Europe from Firewire, Slater Designs, Lost/Mayhem, Channel Islands/Al Merrick, Lib Tech, Fourth Surfboard, Hayden Shapes, Walden, Modern Longboards, Torq, Cortez, Softtech and many more. We ship worldwide and we are also a premier FCS stockist with a huge range of fins, boardbags and leashes.

Web: www.secretspot.co.uk

Tel: 01723 867919

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: secretspotsurftv

Instagram: ssecretspotsurfshop

sorted surf shop

One of the largest stocks of surfboards in the country with expert friendly advice, give us a call to discuss your next board.

Web: www.sortedsurfshop.co.uk

Tel: 01202 399099

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: thesortedsurfshop

Instagram: sortedsurfshop

tiki

Europe’s largest range of surf hardware, in store and online. Wetsuits by Tiki, Patagonia, Rip Curl and O’neill. Surfboards by Tiki, McCoy, Chilli, DVS, LSD, Torq, Emery, Wilde and more – many available in our Test Centre. Plus factory outlet store for ex-demo and end of line bargains!

Web: www.tikisurf.co.uk

Tel: +44 ( 0)1271 816070

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: tikisurfshop

Instagram: tikisurfshop

bigsurfshop

bigsurfshop.com is Ireland’s largest watersports online and retail store.  We specialise in watersports equipment, and work with brands like RipCurl, Quiksilver, Beachbeat, etc.  FREE advice and FREE delivery options too.  Click and check us out!

Web: www.bigsurfshop.com

Tel: +353 (0) 23 885 0018

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: bigsurfshop

Instagram: bigsurfshop

Board Shop

Boardshop has around 400 boards available right now. Firewire, Slater, Bradley, Lost, Channel Islands, Pukas etc, we’re not surfboard snobs we sell foamies too! We do stuff differently, online surfboard trade ins, custom boards, 0% finance and our world’s first 30 Ride Our guarantee. Visit our showroom or shop online.

Web: www.boardshop.co.uk

Tel: 01243-674250

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: boardshopco

Instagram: boardshopuk

down the line

With over 600 boards in stock, Down the Line Surf Co. has the largest selection of surfboards anywhere in Europe. All boards on display from the world’s top shapers.

Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk

Tel: (01736) 757025

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: downthelinesurf

Instagram: downthelinesurf

luke young

Custom surfboard specialists. we cater for all  levels and tastes from learner to pro, from shortboards and fish to longboards, guns, tow boards and SUP. Plus custom artwork, resin tinting and polishing.

Web: www.lukeyoungshapes.co.uk

Tel: 07789663693

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: lukeyoungshapes

Instagram: lysurfboards/p>

SantoLoco

From Channel Islands, Lost, Cabianca, DHD, Rusty, Fatum, Buster and Softech to Lib Tech, Catch Surf, Hayden Shapes, Kun_tiqi and Light, we have almost every Surfboard Brand plus a lot of Pads, Leashes, Bags, Fins & Wetsuits.

Web: www.santoloco.com

Tel: 49 89 3070 8585

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: SantoLocoShop

Instagram: santoloco