summer noserider
9’6” longboard
personal project
(august - october 2020)
research, design, shaping (hand tools + electric planer), glassing, finishing
story
Two months after I began surfing in the summer of 2020, I found myself spending my free time learning about surfboard design history, hydrodynamics, and the materials, tools, and techniques used to make these magical wave-riding boards.
In love with the connection between the ocean, the revitalizing experience of surfing, and the intentionality and craft of hand-shaped surfboards, I set out to make my own from scratch. After a few weeks of research, I designed a 9’6” longboard, with features, dimensions, and a shape meant for smooth down-the-line gliding and, with a skilled enough surfer (not me!): noseriding.
Within a few months of tiresome, sweaty, error-filled, but educational shaping, glassing, and finishing, I had it: a custom surfboard perfect for Southern California’s rolling summer waves.
process
9'6" longboard, noserider design + dimensions
templating + cutting the blank
general outline cut
first round of sanding + planing
finished shaving down the deck with multiple rounds of planing + sanding + first round of rail band cuts
final shape
laying the fiberglass onto the bottom
finished mixing colors + tinting resin + applying the first layer of laminating resin onto the bottom
finished first layer of deck lamination
finished first layer of deck hot coat (sanding resin)
finished first layer of bottom hot coat + glassing on the fin with fiberglass & laminating & sanding resin
final product after drilling & installing leash plug + final sanding the deck
final product after final sanding the bottom