Surfing dates back hundreds of years, and since the dawn of surfings time, the quest to find the perfect surfboard design has always been present. Whether a short, long or fun board, the evolution of surfing has sprouted many design styles with thousands of shapers. To make the most informed decision on which shaper should make your board, check for style, design, performance and reputation.
Classic Longboard
The first surfboards originated in the Hawaiian Islands. Original Hawaiian surfboards were made out of wood from native trees and were up to 16 feet long. These surfboards had no fins and could weigh up to 100 pounds. In the 1920s Hawaiian native, Duke Kahanamoku, brought surfing into the world spotlight. His board style was made out of balsa wood, averaging about 12 feet, considerably shorter than the surfboards of the past.
Longboards are considered the classics of surfing. One of the best longboard surfboard shapers today is Hawaiian surf legend Donald Takayama. Takayama is hailed for his longboard shapes, which range from retro easy riders to progressive high performance. With over 55 years of experience in the surf industry, Takayama will provide the perfect longboard for any experience or style level.
High-Performance Shortboard
The late 1960s saw the emergence of the shortboard, a surfboard averaging around 6 feet in length and much lighter than the classic longboard. With a lighter, shorter board, surfers could now ride in the pockets of the waves. Shortboards, or pocket rockets, allow more maneuverability, speed and aggressive surf. The design of the shortboard has gone through many changes, with many shapes, fin set-ups and weights.
With these many changes, there have been many shapers; Al Merrick is one of the most influential. With over 39 years of experience, Merrick, founder of Channel Island Surfboards, is the industry leader in high-performance shortboards, with endorsements from the best surfers in the world. In a recent interview with NPR, Merrick describes how he listens to the feedback of surfers to constantly evolve his designs.
Old-School Styles
From longboards to fun boards, old-school styles still retain popularity. The Malibu and the Mini-Mal, a fun hybrid model longboard, are still strong sellers in the surf industry.
When thinking old-school style, Bing Copeland is the shaper on which surfers rely. Copeland, founder of Bing Surfboards, began surfing in 1949 and shaping in the 1960s. Matt Calvani is now Bing Surfboards main shaper and still carries on the traditional designs of the old-school Bing.
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