RETRO AND LONGBOARD GUIDE 2012
| If you are reading this thinking retro has nothing to do with you, think again. The retro movement changed the way everyone thought about shortboards, and pretty much every shortboard out there today has a hint of a fish or a mini-Simmons in there. Add to this the fact that pretty much 30% of surfers now also have a true retro shape of a longboard in their quiver. Why? Well it’s a question of fun! So there you have it. If you need a little fun put back into your surfing, check out the boards on the following pages. Read what the boards are all about. If you fancy any check the retailers listing and ask if they have any demos to try out. As always you have to go and put a few under your arm, as they are very different, but the workmanship that go into many will make the journey to the surf shop all the more worth while. |
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If you are reading this thinking retro has nothing to do with you, think again. The retro movement changed the way everyone thought about shortboards, and pretty much every shortboard out there today has a hint of a fish or a mini-Simmons in there. Add to this the fact that pretty much 30% of surfers now also have a true retro shape of a longboard in their quiver. Why? Well it’s a question of fun! Fish and their derivatives have made a huge comeback in the line-ups in the UK and world-wide. When you think back it’s not long ago surfers were all riding pretty standard 6’2″s upwards. If you didn’t have a 6’2″ squash tail you were pretty much laughed at. With a wide template and low rocker the retro fish was looked down on … until the easy paddling, increased float and super sonic down the line speed rang a few bells. |
FCD
Surfboards
FARK
SPECIFICATIONS: 5’7″ x 19 3/4″ x 2 3/8″
SHAPER: Fletcher Chouinard
It’s a Fish, it’s a Quark…no, it’s a Fark. A shorter, flatter, more rotund board, Farks go unreal in just about anything. Whether it’s Porthmeor, Llangenith or Saltburn, this board has the foam to get you in early and deep. It paddles easily and speeds up quickly, turns great, and no nose = no swing weight. The quad setup never spins out and laughs at sections that try and shut you down. It powers through carves and loose enough to snap. Our riders and shop crew love it! Order 3-4 inches shorter than a Quark, 1-2 inches shorter than your Fish.
Tel: 01736 757025
Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £599
FCD
Surfboards
HUEVO
SPECIFICATIONS: 7′ x 21 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
SHAPER: Fletcher Chouinard
The Huevo is not retro, and insn’t a ‘funboard’ crutch. Semi-beginner riders can order it oversized, advanced/expert surfers can surf it as a tiny, low-effort shortboard alternative. The round tail makes for easy rail-to-rail transitions; Designed with input from Devon Howard, Ben Lemke, Mary Osborne and the Malloy brothers, this board will guide you to a new level of style. Comes with a 2 +1 fin set up.
Tel: 01736 757025
Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £599
Escape
Surfboards Ltd
Q’Fish
SPECIFICATIONS: 5’10" x 21" x 2 3/8" x 3 3/4"
SHAPER: Bill Attlee
This quad is designed to get the best out of surfing waves from knee to over head high, There is plenty of volume and surface area to get the board moving when the waves are slack the four fin configuration will hold the board tight in critical sections. We custom make these boards from 4’8 to 6’8 in length, choose the size to suit your ability and weight. It has a slight ‘v’ entry to single concave through the length of the board, Moderate Flat Deck 70:30 rounded Rails with tuck edge from 4" in front of front fin, hard edged square rails behind winger. Resin tint gloss finish.
Tel: 01208 863962
Web:
www.escapesurfboards.com
email:
surfescape@gmail.com
Showroom: Unit 12 Pityme Ind Est, St Minver, Wadebridge, PL27 6NS
Circle One
Bamboo 7′ Rounded Pin
SPECIFICATIONS: 7′ x 21″ x 2 1/2″
SHAPER: Jeff Townsley
We’ve tweaked the 7′ Bamboo for 2012 and pulled in the nose and tail to produce a classic rounded pin shape. The board is constructed using Circle One’s innovate ‘Bamboo Laminate Technology’ to give an exceptional strength to weight ratio and unrivalled performance characteristics. The 7′ is an ideal step-up for the surfer trading up from mini-mals or as a fun board for the experienced surfer. The single concave bottom to ‘V’ in the tail gives the board a progressive ride with the perfect balance of speed and maneuverability. Come in a bamboo finish with red, blue or grey graphic.
Tel: 01363 773005 Website: www.circle-one.co.uk
Showroom: Marsh Lane, Lords Meadow Ind Estate, Crediton, Devon, EX17 1ES
Escape Surfboards Ltd
6’8" Flying Carpet
SPECIFICATIONS: 6’8″ x 21 1/2″ x 2 9/16″ x 3 3/4″
SHAPER: Bill Attlee
Our most popular retro style board. Single concave through the front and mid section with double concave and ‘v’ in the tail . Round pin tail and single fin box with FCS side fins. They are literally shortened mal’s, wide and parallel in outline, and surfed like classic longboards, hang toes, drop knee turns and all those things. With their extra width, thickness and floatation Flying Carpets are good for learners as they are stable and catch waves early.
Tel: 01208 863962
Web: www.escapesurfboards.com email: surfescape@gmail.com Showroom: Unit 12 Pityme Ind Est, St Minver, Wadebridge, PL27 6NS
Tiki International
Fugly
SPECIFICATIONS: 5’2 – 5’11"
SHAPER: Bruce McKee
Possibly the most fun you can have in Summer. Even the most sloppy waves will have you amped for surfing. Easy wave pick-up, effortless trim and super loose snaps combine to make the most out of any conditions. The best solution to the Summer blues.
Tel: 01271 812442
Website: www.tikisurf.co.uk
Showroom: Caen Street, Braunton, N.Devon, EX33 1AA
From: £505
Canvas Surfboards
MINI NOSE RIDER
SPECIFICATIONS: 6’4" x 21 1/2" x 2 3/4"
The 512 Mini Noserider is a fun unique design. Created to look something that looked like a miniature longboard, but rode similar to a shortboard off the tail. The most unique characteristic of the board is it’s deep dish concave throughout the entire bottom of the board. This gives this little board lift on the nose and speed through turns. It’s truly an all round great rider. For a surfer who rides longboards on a daily basis, this board is a great way to transition from long to short. We think it’s the most versatile board in the Canvas line up.
Tel: 01736 757025
Web:
www.downthelinesurf.co.uk
Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £750.00
Torq
Modfish
SPECIFICATIONS: 6’3" – 6’6"
SHAPER: Wenzel
With a shape that’s more today than yesterday, our modern ‘fish’ design is built for speed. Excelling in chest to overhead high waves, it performs on those hollow, glassy days, yet enjoys mushy, sloppy and less than perfect conditions too. A full nose and wide mid point, with clean balanced curves that blend into a swallow tail. The bottom contours through single to double concave with a lightly flipped nose. Tune to your taste with Tri-Quad option.
Tel: 01271 812442
Website:
www.torq-surfboards.com
Showroom :
www.torq-surfboards.com
From: £265
Bing Surfboards
MINI SIMMONS
SPECIFICATIONS: 5’2"
A super functional and versatile board that can handle anything from ankle-slappers to overhead reeling beach breaks. Incorperates a relatively flat rocker and S-deck design and a belly in the nose that goes into a flat and slight concave in the tail. Thinner rails and slightly longer to enhance glide and paddle. Despite its wide outline the board will go on a rail through turns, keeping it maneuverable. An arc tail makes the board looser and more responsive. Instead of traditional half-moon fin templates the board incoprates smaller base, straighter Gephart templates for increased release. The end result is a Simmons-inspired shape that is faster and has more glide with more responsiveness than a standard keel fish.
Tel: 01736 757025
Web:
www.downthelinesurf.co.uk
Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £675.00
McCoy Surfboards
NEW LAZOR ZAP
SPECIFICATIONS: 6’2" x 20 1/2" x 3"
SHAPER: GeoffMcCoy
Geoff has been working on the new Lazor Zap for some time now and the finished board is amazing. It comes even harder and squarer off the bottom and gives you incredible control through the tightest of turns. The tail is slightly wider with a bump wing swallow and there is a touch more thickness through the nose. It’s rock solid in steep juicy waves, yet easy to throw about in the weaker junk …A true wonder board!
Tel: 01736 757025
Web:
www.downthelinesurf.co.uk
Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £750.00
Morning of the Earth Surfboards
’71 MICHAEL PETERSON
These MP signature models are true replicas of Michaels’ iconic work as one of Australia’s most amazing surfer/shapers. Attention has been paid to the shaping style and volumes of the day, then they are laminated in the same tradition of Volan, with tints in reds and yellows that were common place at the time.
Tel: 01736 757025
Web:
www.downthelinesurf.co.uk
Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £799.00
Fish and their derivatives have made a huge comeback in the line-ups in the UK and world-wide. When you think back it’s not long ago surfers were all riding pretty standard 6’2"s upwards. If you didn’t have a 6’2" squash tail you were pretty much laughed at. With a wide template and low rocker the retro fish was looked down on … until the easy paddling, increased float and super sonic down the line speed rang a few bells.
People wanted to go fast, and as much fun as going vertical and pretending to be Kelly or Dane is, in our slopey mostly onshore beachies, it is hard work. Fish, for those who didn’t have a birdlike ambition to take to the air (as much chance as a Dodo in some cases) were more fun!
Ridden 4-6 inches shorter than ‘normal’ shortboards these hearty foamed, low-rockered, strange shaped beasts equalled speed and drawn out turns. Sure they surfed more ‘horizontal’ or ‘lateral’ but that was more than made up for by the increased planing area that allowed pretty much everyone, to fly over long flat sections.
Quiver Surfboards
9’0" Easy Rider
SPECIFICATIONS: 9’0 x 22″ x 2 3/4″
SHAPER: Phil Hodge
If you have only one board in your Quiver, this is the one you want. Our all rounder has a nicely balanced rocker with good volume throughout and enough foam for easy paddling. The pin tail makes it very easy to manoeuvre and turn. Goes well in anything from 1-6ft surf. Customise your board with one of Nicks special resin tints. The possibilities are endless.
Tel: 01637-875-811 Website: www.quiversurfboards.co.uk Showroom: Quiver Surfboards, Unit 10, Seabase Industrial Estate, Treloggan, Newquay, TR72SX
SWAMI’S
Monk
SPECIFICATIONS: 9’6" x 23 3/4" x 3 1/4"
SHAPER: Bro Diplock
The Monk is our quintessential single fin logging board – built for effortless glide. With plenty of volume and weight, flattened nose and tail widths are the key aspects together with round rails and rolled bottom to complimented the deep teardrop concave in the nose. The perfect solid platform for timeless nose riding, makes for catching the smallest waves early, with plenty of room to take a stroll. These boards are traditionally glassed heavy for glide and durability using 6oz glass on hulls and doubled on the deck. This Monk has a full gloss nose and wet and dry deck. Ask about our custom deep resin tints and finishes. 8 and 10oz Volan cloth as extra
Tel: +44 (0)20 7723 7671 Website: www.swamis.com Showroom:Swami’s Surf Company shows at Surfed Out, Braunton, Devon EX33 1EE
Price:£950
Circle One
9′ 1" ‘Xpose 5-Fin’ Longboard
SPECIFICATIONS: 9′ 1" x 22 3/4" x 2"
SHAPER: Jeff Townsley
Hailing from Circle One’s stunning new-for-2012 Xpose 5-fin range, the 9′ 1" longboard allows you to personalise your ride by choosing a set-up to suit your style or the surfing conditions. (Centre plus 2 sides or Single Fin are the most popular.) With double concave through to the tail, coupled with a harder rail, the board excels in the performance stakes. Whether you want to carve from the tail or ride the nose, this board allows you to surf with confidence and style. Red, Green, Orange or Blue.
Tel: 01363 773005 Website: www.circle-one.co.uk
Showroom: Marsh Lane, Lords Meadow Ind Estate, Crediton, Devon, EX17 1ES
Bing Surfboards
LEVITATOR 9’2"
Adopting a similar but more blended deck and rockerline to the Bing Elevator, the Levitator combines a relaxed step deck and slight concave with a wide outline and foiled 50/50 rails, allowing you to defy the laws of gravity and noseriding. You can clear sections while still hanging ten with insane amounts of speed on the nose. Where the Elevator is better in steeper beach break style waves, the Levitator works best in waves with a little more slope, like your local point or reef break. Ideal for people who like more volume with stability, glide and lift in the nose. The Levitator is an easy beginner noserider as well as a versatile board for the more advanced surfer.
Tel: 01736 757025 Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £899.00
Bing Surfboards
ELEVATOR 9’2"
In the 1960′s the Bing Noserider and Lightweight models set the standard for perfection. Today, that model of excellence is the new Bing Elevator. A board which combines concave and step deck in the nose with a subtle tail rocker, creating a well balanced lift suitable for mind-altering noserides. The flex in the nose allows you to lock into the pocket and pump down the line, while the lift in the tail stabilizes the board allowing you to find the sweet spot with ease. Unlike many noseriders of the past, the Elevator holds its forward projection and is easily piloted through hard directional pivots off the tail. Excelling in steep waves, this board is a lavish tool for the surfer with a focus on getting lots of tip time.
Tel: 01736 757025 Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £950.00
McTavish Surfboards
FIREBALL EVOLUTION 9’2"
Refined late last year, the Fireball Evolution continues to be the bench-mark for all-round performance longboards. The outline features a wide, stable nose for nose-riding, and a pulled in 14" pin tail, for smooth rail-to-rail transition. The bottom-shape features a proven combination of a single concave in the nose, a flat section through the centre for paddle-power and stability, and a double concave tail which directs waterflow and creates lift and drive. The Fireball suits surfers from beginner to pro, and is the ‘go-to’ longboard for thousands of surfers world-wide. It performs best in waves from 1-6 ft, but handled well will take on bigger days. These boards are all shaped and glassed in the Mactavish factory in Byron Bay not made under licence in the far east. Comes with a Chinook style centre finbox and 7" or 8"hand-made fibreglass McTavish fin (by Whiz), and FCS GX-Q dual-density foam-core side fins.
Tel: 01736 757025 Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £950.00
Canvas Surfboards
SANO FREE 8’0"
The Sano free model is a spin off of the MNR 612 Parachute. The simplified extended MNR stretches back into a rounded pintail for smoother, fluid turns. This board is for the average surfer who just wants to cruise San Onofre style but ride something smaller than a onboard, and a little racier. It’s not meant for airs or 360s, just an easy glide. With it’s wide, slightly pointed nose, it’s effortless to get on tip time.
Tel: 01736 757025 Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £720
McTavish Surfboards
REDLINE 9’6"
The Redline is our most popular retro style board, partly because it looks amazing, and also because it performs! It has a flat rocker profile, so nose-riding and trimming is a breeze, but the tail has a hard edge, so the board turns with a modern feel, and is forgiving in anything up to about 4-6 ft. The triple stringers give the board a great balanced feel, and the tint or pigment lamination gives the board a classic look. It come with a centre finbox with special ‘Redline’ Australian-made fibreglass McTavish fin.
Tel: 01736 757025 Web: www.downthelinesurf.co.uk Showroom: Down the Line Surf Company Ltd, Market Square Arcade, Copperhouse, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4EA
Price: £950.00
On the mal, side, the much loved and derided mal is now a functional part of many a knowledgeable surfers quiver. Sure there are people who will only ride mals, but the number of surfers walking the plank on small days has increased exponentially.
Basically there are two types of longboard and longboarder. Performance mals and logs. The performance variety are probably easier for shortboarders or intermediates to jump on for a bit of fun as they are really light and manoeuvrable these days. In fact most of the BLU ride them as oversized shortboards with a few traditional manoeuvres thrown in.
But the real joy of longboarding, for me anyway comes on the logs. These heavy beasts glide across waves with minimum effort and allow a bit of tip time, or the classic old school drop knee cutbacks. Not much else unless in the hands of a real expert, but bloody fun on a small summer day. They catch small gutless waves easily, and once they are flowing not much is going to slow you down. And even if you can’t hang ten for five minutes at a time, you can get up the nose and pretend!
A note of caution here though, they do take a bit of handling, and stopping so if you are new to the logging game, practise in wide open areas!
SURFTECH DEMO CENTRES
Test ride before you buy some of the world’s greatest shapes in Tuflite technology.
TEL: 01205 722745
WEB: www.surfcom.co.uk
KING OF WATERSPORTS
Kingofwatersports.com has a huge selection of boards for all abilities, with brands including BIC, Bilbo, O’Shea, Circle One, JS, Rusty, Fanatic, Santa Cruz, FCS, Gorilla and many more! Most available with a free boardbag and delivery!
WEB: www.kingofwatersports.com
EMAIL: sales@kingofwatersports.com
TEL: 01202763675
ireland
Surfdock Watersports
Surfdock is Ireland’s leading surf retailer, stocking a huge range of surf brands including 7S, Webber, Rusty, Haydenshapes, Walden, McTavish & Circle One.
WEB: www.surfdock.ie
EMAIL: shop@surfdock.ie
ADDRESS: Grand Canal Dockyard, Ringsend, Dublin 4
TEL: +353(0)1-6683945
Troggs surf shop
Troggs have been trading since 1984 and have over 30 years of professional surfing experience, building a reputation as a leading Surf Shop in the UK and Ireland.Owned and Managed by Andy Hill 6 Times Irish National Surfing Champion.
WEB: www.troggs.com
EMAIL: shop@troggs.com
ADDRESS: 88 Main Street, Portrush, County Antrim, United Kingdom BT56 8BN
TEL: (+44) 28 70 825 477
CORNWALL
ZUMA JAY
As one of the longest established surf shops, Zuma Jay and our staff pride ourselves on the quality of our products and service. If you’re new to surfing or have been surfing for years we can help get the right board for you through our surfboard demo centre. With our advise and our four UK shapers we can shape any model of board you need.
WEB: www.zumajay.co.uk
EMAIL: shop@zumajay.co.uk
ADDRESS: Belle Vue Lane, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8BR
TEL: 01288 35495
Teardrop Surfboards
Teardrop Surfboards are a small but dedicated team intent on creating and delivering the most pleasurable objects of our customers’ desire.
Web: teardropsurfboards.co.uk
Email: chris-teardropsurfboards@live.com
Address: Teardrop Surfboards, The Shack, Davidstow Garage, Davidstow, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9YD.
Tel: 07947 368579
ESCAPE SURFBOARDS
Custom boards in Epoxy/Polyester, repair service, 200 boards in stock, demo boards to try. Factory/showroom and online shop.
WEB: www.escapesurfboards.com
EMAIL: info@escapesurfboards.com
ADDRESS: Escape Surfboards, Unit 12 Pityme Ind Est, St Minver, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6NS
TEL: 01208 863962
Shop on the Beach
We are a Surftech Demo Centre and premium Surftech dealer specializing in Longboards and Fishes with years of experience riding and selling Surftech.
Web: www.shoponthebeach.com
Address: Shop on the Beach, Watergate Bay TR8 4AA
Tel: 01637 860051
Fluid Juice
State of the art surfboards, for everyone, from beginner to pro. The right board makes a huge difference. Helpful service, demo models available.
Web: www.fluidjuice.co.uk
Email: enquiries@fluidjuice.co.uk
Address: The Old Airfield, St Merryn, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8PU.
Tel: 01841 520928
Constantine Bay surf store
Providing the equipment, clothing, accessories and information to improve your surfing experience…for the last 21 years!
Web: www.constantinesurf.com
Email: des@constantinesurf.com
Address: Constantine Bay, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8JJ
Tel: 01841 520250
CHD Surfboards
CHD Surfboards are based in Newquay. Over twenty years experience, specialising in custom shapes for all levels of ability.
Web: www.chdsurfboards.com
Email: chdsurfboards@btinternet.com
Tel: Contact Chris Harris. 07861 288 660
Bunty Surfboards
Visit our factory shop in Wadebridge for a wide selection of new and second hand boards. Or custom order the board you require, taking advice from Graeme who has 30 years of experience.
Web: www.localhero.co.uk
Email: localherosurfboards@hotmail.com
Address: The Workshop, Brook Road, Wadebridge, Cornwall PL27 7PB
Tel: 01208 814282
DEVON
TIKI SURFSHOP
We have the largest range of surfboards in Europe on display, in stock and for test. Including Tiki, McKee, Hydroflex, Webber, Aloha, McTavish, Walden, Southpoint, NSP and more.
WEB: shop.tikisurf.co.uk
EMAIL: info@tikisurf.co.uk
ADDRESS: Caen Street, Braunton, North Devon, EX33 1AA
TEL: 01271 816070
Tads Surf Shop
Here’s what our customers say: “real people… real opinions… real service… real integrity…”
“friendly knowledgable core people who have integrity.. no bubble gum here!“
WEB: www.tadsurf.com
EMAIL: sales@tashop.com
ADDRESS: Shops at 14A Rolle St, Exmouth and 3 South Street, Exeter facebook: tad
TEL: 01395 227007 • 01392 216666
DORSET
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
ADDRESS: Sorted Surf Shop, 42 Sea Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH5 1EW
EMAIL: info@sortedsurfshop.co.uk
TEL: 01202 399099
west SUSSEX
WITTERING SURF SHOP
Over 150 British and International boards in store and online with friendly expert advice to find the board of your dreams!
WEB: www.witteringsurfshop.com
EMAIL: info@witteringsurfshop.com
ADDRESS: 13/15 Shore Road, East Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8DY
TEL: 01243 672292
Boardshop.co.uk
Premier European stockists of Firewire, Channel Islands, Lost and Rusty surfboards. Expert advice, Free Next Day Delivery & lots more!
WEB: www.boardshop.co.uk
EMAIL: info@boardshop.co.uk
ADDRESS: M3 Hilton Park, East Wittering, PO20 8RL
TEL: 01243 674250
north yorkshire
Vibe Surf Shop
Vibe Surf Shop is a local independent shop offering a well thought out range of products for the core and beginner surfer. With boards from top UK brands, Quiver, Beach Beat and Circle One, every level of board rider is catered for. Also an excellent choice of wetsuits and accessories.
Web: www.vibesurfshop.co.uk
Email: info@vibesurfshop.co.uk
Address: 34St Nicholas cliff, Scarborough, YO11 2ES, UK
TEL: 01723 503762
SECRET SPOT SURF SHOP
Since 1989 we have strived to provide
our customers with solid advice, great products and friendly service. Currently we stock boards from Firewire, Surftech, Sevens, Hydroflex and many more.
WEB: www.secretspot.co.uk
EMAIL: admin@secretspot.co.uk
ADDRESS: 4 Pavilion Terrace, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 2JU
TEL: 01723 867919