Posted by Jeb Brinkley | 12.15.2016 | Learn To Surf, WB Surf Camp News

2016 Holiday Surfboard Buyers Guide

The holidays are upon us. Whether you’re ready for it or not, it’s time.  Christmas is almost here, Chanukah is close, Kwanza is around the corner, and for those of us more inclined to celebrate all at once (or not celebrate at all), Festivus is creeping up. Regardless of how you observe the holiday season, one thing is for certain…the time for gift-giving and receiving is among us. This means one thing to a surfer: a new surfboard.  A “freshie” if you will…a new shred stick. It’s truly an exciting time to be a waverider.

While nothing gets a surfer more excited than getting a new board, the act of picking out your new sled can be a source of nervousness and accomplishment all at once.  It can turn a grown man into a giddy, twelve-year-old, and a giddy twelve-year old into a surf-crazed monster. Which shaper do I use? Do I buy directly off the rack? What’s the best type of board for me? These are questions we all ask ourselves when selecting our new boards.

Whether you’re buying a board for someone else or are lucky enough to be on the receiving end, we want to help. We’ve put together this small guide to give you a few suggestions that we think might help you in your quest for the perfect surfboard!

Ian Balding Surfboards– Wilmington, NC

Ian Balding custom surfboards and paddle boards are artfully crafted from wood and other green materials. Each custom board is unique to its rider. “My goal is simple… To make boards that provide a seamless connection to the wave.  The rider and the board should flow together as a single unit. As if the board were an extension of the riders body. I am a board builder, not just a shaper.” Check him out here: https://ianbalding.com/

Will Allison Surfboards- Wilmington, NC

Will Allison has been turning out some of the most beautiful and expertly fine-tuned equipment around.  With over 30 years of shaping experience and thousands of boards in his resume, Will is one of the most respected shapers on the east coast.  Each Allison Surfboard is a blend of aesthetics and function resulting in a “working piece of art.”  More about Allison Surfboards: https://www.facebook.com/Allison-Surfboards-192928157533777/

Kinetic Surfboards- Myrtle Beach, SC/Wilmington, NC

“My name is Gary Wilson and I am Kinetic Surf Designs. I am just another local shaper guy like the thousands of others on the many beaches around the world.  My goal is to get people on the right equipment for where they are in their surfing experience. In other words, nurture the stoke!” http://kineticsurfdesigns.com/