Hard Cloud from the UK contacted us to share some information on choosing a surfboard as well as give you a link to get some hip new Animal threads and surf products. Here is their article.

Whether you`re a skilled surfer or a beginner keen to learn the sport, a basic knowledge and appreciation of board design is a great way to help improve your skills. With surfboard shape, size and style varying a great deal, getting to know the differences and what type of board best suits your needs is crucial.

First and foremost, choosing the right board depends on how experienced a surfer you are. Although many boards are designed to enable easier handling, you can invest in a surfboard that is either easy to use or offers a more challenging ride.

Secondly, boards can be designed for specific body weights, so making sure you let a company or board shaper know your weight is important if you`re looking for precision surfing.

Thirdly, check out what materials best suit the type of water and waves you`ll be surfing on. With almost all surfboards made from Foam Blank, with polystyrene or polyurethane cores, the key thing is the layer applied to it. This may be a basic fibreglass cloth with a resin bond, Kevlar and carbon fibre or natural materials such as a hemp type cloth.

For conditions that will require a stronger construction, it would be wise to consider an epoxy surfboard. These types of boards use a `sandwich` construction which allows the inside to be filled with a foam. This process creates a stronger structure which is resistant to greater levels of pressure.

Next consider the shape and size of the surfboard that best suits your skills, weight and the water conditions you`ll be in. The length of a surfboard is measured from nose to tail, with a longer board providing both more power and stability. The width is measured at the board`s widest point, the position of which will impact on a rider`s style and ability to turn.

Alongside length and width, the shape of the board also plays a part in ensuring an enjoyable surfing experience. Types of tail, for instance, include square, pin squash and diamond and they do affect performance characteristics. A greater curve of the board, or rocker as it is known, can make it easier to take on steep drops and take tighter turns on the water.

While it`s possible to hire, buy or even have your board made, it`s worth considering what you want to get out of it. You may simply need a basic board to start learning the craft of catching a wave. If so, why not try a funboard? These are larger in shape and range from 6 to 8 feet tall. A wider board means greater stability and therefore reduces the chances of falling off.

Alternatively, you may want a specific length, width and construction for developing your surfing skills. If you`re looking for something really challenging, try a gun. These surfboards range from 6`6″ to 10` and mean a surfer can paddle with speed to catch some of the faster and bigger waves.

“Finally, with your board sorted it`s time to make sure you have the right clothing to match. Brands such as Animal surf clothing provide a range of products specifically designed for boarders.”

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Here is a sweet little board that super versatile and fun to ride. The Scorpion is a design that Donald shaped from 5ft. something to over 9ft.

Since the poly boards are harder to find and super expensive(even used). I went for the SurfTEC version. The first day I was so stoked to take it out that I went out in sloppy conditions. Got a few decent waves but nothing to write about or even get a real feel for the board.

When I got it on a good day the board took a I caught my share of waves on this. It takes some paddling like a 5’10″ would but easy enough to hang just outside and catch them early. Once on the wave it was fast nice and turnable and really fun. I have the board set up with quad fins. There is decent drive off the bottom. The board had immediate speed because of its lightness and stiffer construction. Every ounce of energy the wave pushed is reflected by the board. Once on the face or the flat of the wave you could gain and maintain speed by pumping it. My experience was: paddle to get in, take off is fast with the board on top of the water, slide it into the pocket and hold on, come out start turning or shuffle to the front for get some forward time, get foot back and make another few pumps and try for a floater. Maybe not all on one wave but you get the idea.

The turning was good with the quad set up and the single fin just drew out the line a bit. So you what every style or wave you are feeling you can make adjustments.

Riding the nose attainable on the right wave and placement. I was able to get a cheater 5 for short times but did not ever hang out there like a long board which is expected. However getting back to make a sharp cut back or turn was fast and easy.

The design is solid – its a Donald Takayama and he is the master. It makes sense and does what it is intended to do. A++

The SurfTEC part of it is more of an acquired taste. Light, buoyant and stiff make the board is fast, reactive and tough. But it is also less forgiving or organic then p/u(if you can say that about poly). Meaning don’t expect the flex and groove of a traditional p/u board. Its just different and thats not a bad thing. But the durability and getting the dimensions right every time along with a fast vehicle makes the SurfTEC model worth of considering.

All in all a very cool board to put in the quiver and toss in your surf-mobile for an option on your surfari or just to getting wet on a lunch get break.

Here is a screen shot from Surfline of south side of HB Pier showing a well overhead set wave coming in. The conditions are calm and if your looking to dust off that big wave stick, now is the time! It’s big and surfable! Too often when these big waves come in they have a lot of wind and junk with it.

Let us know if and where you scored some waves. Plus if you have good photo’s email to: tony@reviewsurfboards.com We will share them.

Here are a few photos of a Regular Board from Thalia Street Surf Shop in Laguna Beach Ca. The boyz down at Thalia decided to employ their knowledge (which is a lot) and skills to bring their own brand of boards to the market.

Regular boards are a straight approach to the latest trends and the tried and true designs of surfboards. You can get fish’s eggs, pigs and noseriders. As well getting your hull types and your pinched rails as well.

Stay tuned for a full review of this board soon…..

For now here are some pictures to give you an idea of this 8’7″ R-egg-ular board.

Here is the latest creation from ReviewSurfboards and Stamps Surfboards. This board is tall, slender has attractive lines and is built for speed and riding the high line. If your not up to the effort and challenge you might go for thicker built for comfort model. haha

I have had only a couple of chances to get this board out as soon as it was finished the waves literally went away in my area. But the couple times where fun and fast.

The board has a low rocker so it glides into the wave. You do have to be in the right spot because if you are too forward you will bury the nose. Once up on the wave I went straight to the top of the wave made a couple of pumps and went for a big cut back. The board responded and I was barely able to hang on. It was the indian not the arrow on this one. Being used to logs this board whipped right around. Once I started to the hand of it my lines where smoothed out and fast.

I am waiting for some more waves to get a couple more days on it and I will provide more time to give a better review. Stay tuned for more waves and photos….

Just wanted to post up a few photos of my buddy Dickie “The Style Master’s” DT flow.

Dickie has ridden this board in knee high to over head trestles. The board makes smooth turns and trims nicely. Being 7’0″ the board paddles into waves early so you can get a jump on the wave and the crowd. The board is also a quality product. After several years of surfing from Mexico to Orange County the board is still in good shape.

It well known that Donald Takayama is not shaping surfboards anymore and has not for sometime. This board was shaped by Donald while he was still was doing time in the shaping room.

Click this link to read other reviews

Here are some nice photos of the board.