Surfboard (noun): a specially designed board or craft on which humans stand upon while expressively gliding and maneuvering across the surface of waves in oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and anywhere waves exist around the world. Riding a surfboard can cause extreme sensations of euphoria or ecstasy, aka stoke, and is best understood through firsthand experience of the sacred act.
Okay, you caught me. I just made this definition up, but it sounds pretty legit, huh? Surfing can be hard to describe because it’s one of those things that is best experienced to fully understand. Only a surfer knows the feeling.
A surfer’s paintbrush, our surfboard, is a very personal item. They come in all shapes and sizes and cater to various types of waves and surfing abilities.
For example, when surfing a fatter, slow-breaking, mushier wave I’ll grab a surfboard with more volume, a fuller outline, and a flatter rocker giving me the ability to paddle easier, catch more waves, and keep my speed through slower sections.
On the other hand, if the waves are bigger, faster, and steeper, I’ll most likely use a shortboard with a bit less volume, a more streamlined performance outline, and some extra rocker in the nose to make those steep critical take-offs. Check out our Shortboard Buyer’s Guide if you want to read more about the components of a shortboard and could use some help finding your next magic stick.
Now, it goes without saying that this is very general and there are so many more variables involved, such as the surfers’ skill and ability, their style and preference, and where they are surfing, but you get the gist.
With so many surfboard brands out there these days, finding the perfect surfboard can be a daunting task. Lucky for us, over the last decade, a lot of awesome surfboard brands and shapers have emerged making it easier to find or create your dream surf craft.
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If you’re anything like me or most avid surfers out there, your quest for finding your dream surf craft is an ongoing and evolving endeavor, which is part of the beauty and allure of surfing. Endless variety. Just as every wave is different, so is every surfboard.
The longboard surfboard, the shortboard, fish surfboard, funboard, soft top, groveler, glider, bonzer, gun–the list goes on and on. And with each board, every slightest differentiation in shape, outline, fin type, fin setup, etc, will have an effect on how the surfboard ultimately feels and rides.
As your surfing evolves, so will technology, and shapes, and designs, alongside your own ideas about what makes the perfect surfboard.
Here at Lush Palm, we love ogling and drooling over beautifully made surfboards. So we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up some especially rad surfboard brands and shapers that we love oh so much.
And if you’re looking for a surfboard rack to display the best of your sweet quiver, check out 9 of The Coolest Surfboard Racks Ever.
Surfboard Brands
ALMOND SURFBOARDS
based in costa mesa, california
almond surfboards website
PICONE SURFBOARDS
based in san diego, california (formerly affinità surf)
picone surfboards website
THE GUILD SURFBOARDS
based in santa ana, california
the guild surfboards website
HESS SURFBOARDS
based in san francisco, california
hess surfboards website
JIVE SURF
based in carpinteria, california
jive surf website
FEEL FLOWS SURFBOARDS
based in northern portugal
feel flows surfboards website
FOLKLORE SURF
based in bali & brooklyn
folklore surf website
RYAN LOVELACE SURF|CRAFT
based in santa barbara, california
ryan lovelace surf|craft
ALBUM SURF
based in san clemente, california
album surf website
TILLY SURFBOARDS
based on the oregon coast
tilly surfboards website
RYAN BURCH SURFBOARDS
based in encinitas, california
ryan burch surfboards website
PAUL SURF
based in rockaway, new york
paul surf website
NUSA INDAH
based in australia
nusa indah surfboards website
I would love to see a list exclusive to female shapers 🙂
Hi Sarah — Thanks for your suggestion… that would be awesome! Noted 🙂
No comment for this time
I feel betrayed! How dare you don’t put M.O.T.E Surfboards on here! haha
Ah! So many amazing shapers out there. Maybe this list needs to expand x 50 🙂
Scott Anderson
RIP ❤️
You’ve over looked Black Rose from Jacksonville Florida. Really sweet and very functional boards. Justin Quintal’s logo/boards
Mark Martinson Surfboards, North Shore Hawaii……Harbour Surfboards, Seal Beach, California
You guys should check wavegliders surfboards
One of the best shapers and finishes in europe recognized by some of the best shaper like ryan lovelace, jim phillips, adam davenport, tons of other ones. Check it out.
Thanks, João! The boards look awesome.
My surfboard is made of bamboo, its actually foam wrapped in bamboo matting, the rails are made of bamboo too, glassed and laminated in epoxy (vacuum bagged), shaped by Aussie shaper Richard Mathews here in the Philippines, its a classic, and cool too
Sounds awesome!
Beautiful boards. I know the article is from some while back but you should add Cheboards, based in Costa Rica, shaper JD started shaping as a kid and os a real craftsmen and besides brand Cheboards and Evangelista they also do the Lightning Bolts in Costa Rica and Robert August boards.
Thanks for the tip, Mareike!
Thank you so much for adding us, and the only UK brand which is amazing. Love the site, well done.
Hey Jake – Our pleasure, love your boards! Thanks for the kind words. Cheers
Stunning boards, in particular those of Ryan Lovelace and Album. Personally, if i bought one of these boards, I’d hate to ruin them by covering them with wax, they’re just too darn pretty!
Vex surfboards in New England great handshaped
Thank you for the mention! Super honored and humbled.
Love,
FLKLR
Folklore Surf.
Our pleasure! 🙂 x
Just WOW!!! I want every single one of these boards!!!!
So do we 🙂
Hi I was just wondering if you shipped to the US? I happened to notice that you are based in Australia and I know that companies such as Dead Kooks do not
Oh my gosh I’m sorry, I meant to send this to one of the companies but it must have exited out without my knowing
No worries! Happy surfboard shopping 🙂
Hi Sydney- Nusa Indah Surfboards are based in Australia and ship Worldwide. Feel free to shoot me an email to get a personal quote. Thank you, Jada jada@nusaindahsurfboards.com
In my little east coast surfing town of New Smyrna Beach there are many excellent surfboard shapers. Randy Richenberg has been shaping great boards for over 40 years for many pro surfers. Also both Erie Peeples of Erie Surfboards and Greg Geiselman of Orion Surfboards has been putting out awesome boards for over 20 years, too.
Nice! Thanks for the recommendations Dan!
I agree, these brands have great style and design. But, you guys left out Jeff Mccallum surfboards. Both the company’s image and board design Should’ve been on that list too.
Awesome, Shawn. Thanks for the tip! You’re right. Jeff McCallum’s surfboards look like they would be a great addition to the list! Good call…
Hello! I’ve just discovered you featured our boards through Pinterest.
Thank you for loving what we do!
Jada- Nusa Indah Surfboards
x
Hi Jada! We were planning on reaching out to you and you beat us to it! Love your boards 🙂 . The market is also in need of some very cool fins along the lines of your designs… maybe next project?! Keep up the lovely work! x
Yes! This is something we plan to explore in the near future- wall mount systems also! x
Awesomeness! Please give us a holler when you do!
@Goldenstateglassing is doing some epic work for Alex Knost, Jared Mel, EC, Tanner, Troy Elmore, Wax, and Spacetime.
Also, there is an American couple in mex doing some rad shit. Can’t remember the name. I’ll hunt around.