Cowshed Shapes

Can you shape longboards?

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:21:08 +0000

Yes, we have the facility for long boards. I’m having problems with my internet today so please feel free to give me a call on 07837 544835 if you have any other questions. Cheers, Chris.

5’10” x 21 ¼” x 2 3/8” Twin fin keel fish. Shaped for Luke.

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:39:00 +0000

One of my favourites.

Luke was looking for a retro type fish with a modern lively feel. He is an intermediate surfer who is improving quickly. I wanted to shape him a board that would allow him to surf quicker and give him the chance to work on his turns,

I kept the rocker flat for speed but put a progressive kick in the tail to make it flow out of turns.

I shaped a standard spiral “v” bottom running through the board, giving an easy rail to rail feeling with extra “v” flowing off the tips of the tail, concaves to give an extra boost of speed.

I altered the outline a bit from my standard retro fish, pulling in the nose and tail slightly to give the looser modern feel Luke was after, and finally I kept the rails pinched and sharp in the rear to make it sensitive, soft and forgiving up front.

Luke has given me really good feedback on this board, can’t wait to have a go.

7’2”x 22”x 2 7/8” magic carpet. Shaped for Tom.

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Tom was just starting out when I shaped him this. He had been riding larger boards but wanted to step down in length and progress. He has a good level of fitness and was surfing a lot.

We agreed not to go any shorter than 7’2” with stability being a key factor. I made up for the shorter length with extra width and widened the tail finishing in a soft forgiving round tail. I left the rails a little thicker for extra stability and gave the board a bit of kick in the nose to help eliminate nose dives, keeping the rocker flatish with a single concave to try and compensate for the glide tom was used to on larger boards. I put a bit of kick in the tail so that tom could still do turns easily enough once he progressed.

I have had the pleasure of watching Tom improve quickly on this board, I hope it has helped build his confidence, I know he now rides 6’0” shortboards and fishes as well!!!

6’4” x 20 ½” x 2 5/8” Hybrid shortboard

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:22:00 +0000

My own board. I recently shaped this after a month in France this September.

Obviously, the modern shortboard has gone through a few changes recently and this is my take on what I saw in the board racks and on the beach under the feet of the pros.

The top guys are riding outlines like this at lengths around 5’6”-5’9”, fitting in as much foam as possible, whilst maintaining a shortboard outline. - Anyway, applying the same principles for my own ability, rather than riding a funshape or larger fish shape, I worked out these dimensions!

The rocker flattens right out through a deep single concave giving extra glide and lift, and the wide point is pushed up the board giving a straighter rail line and also extra speed, (similar to the old keel twin fin fish.)

Watching the top guys surfing these new type of shapes was amazing, especially in smaller surf the extra drive and manoeuvrability was obvious. It all helps us average surfers if applied in the right way.!!!