Board swap anyone?

Hey Ray, thanks for the offer.  Not sure what the LowTech Lab is (your garage?), or where "the area" is, but it all sounds good! 

Mainly just looking for someone who wants to do a board swap, I'll build you one you build me one.  My boards are not perfect, they have their flaws, but if someone believes in my boards enough to commit, then I'll give it my best!  (I should add that due to the size of my little shaping shack, 8' is about the limit of how long I can reasonably go).

Hey Greg, hope that works out, sounds like fun.  Myself, I'm just looking for a permanent, one-time board swap.  I'll build a custom for someone, if they'll build a custom for me.  Custom with a lot of leeway for the shaper to go with his own vision, that is. 

I'm not really a longboarder per se, although I own a couple and they've been great for small days and helping me to get my sea legs back.  When I left surfing 23 (well, now its 24) years ago, I was riding a 5'11" fish and a 6'7" swallowtail single fin.  I also had a 7' diamond tail single fin. 

Being away from surfing for 23 years, I've never owned or ridden a thruster, I've never owned or ridden a quad.  I've never owned or ridden a modern shortboard - although I would need something designed for an older guy, along the lines of this thread http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/older-guys-shortboard

So I thought I'd trust a more experienced shaper to build me something along those lines, in exchange for a custom one-of-a-kind Huck surfboard.  I think I would have a bite if I was in oz, or could build a longboard.  I'm in southern California (think Malibu to Morro Bay), and my little backyard shack will only handle up to about 8'. 

I could just build my own older guy's shortboard, and in fact, I've already begun one.  But I also want to take my boardbuilding to the next level, and I thought building a board for someone else would be a good challenge, if a bit stressful because its something I've never done.  So this way I could kill two birds with one stone - get a modern "older guys" shortboard for myself designed by an experienced shaper, and get one of my boards into the hands of another surfer/shaper.

I could do a 7'6" lightning bolt, if I had a little leeway, since I don't do "exact copies". 

And I'm really not interested in doing a wall-hanger.  I guess I could, but it would sure take the joy out of the project for me.  It actually kinda bugs me that people want to put wood boards in the "only good for a wall hanger" category, so I really prefer to make a board for someone who wants to ride it.

I'm looking for an "older guy's shortboard", along the lines of this thread http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/older-guys-shortboard, preferably a thruster or quad, since I've never owned or ridden either.

5.7,  175, want something that works well in 4-6' point break surf

so, for you....9' longboard, or 7' 6" lightening bolt?

New school

Wide point middle or aft

I guess. 

Like I say, I'm open to suggestions.  I've been away from surfing for a long time.  Never rode a thruster or quad.  Since I came back, I've been riding retrofishes, longboards, and eggs, and enjoying all of them, especially the longboards and eggs.  I'd like to try something a little more contemporary (for the older guy who doesn't get out every day).  With a little volume for getting in early, but enough rocker to handle a late drop, that projects down the line, something I can take out when its head-high.  Like in the 6'8" to 7'2" range.  I don't do airs or any real high performance stuff.  If I could surf like anyone in my dreams, it would be like Rob Machado or Tom Curren - fluid, smooth, you know?

BTW, let me know about that template.  Because my normal m.o. is just to draw it out until it looks right, then scale my drawing to full size.  I'll get started once you tell me to go, but if you want me to wait for the template I will.  You can also tell me about rocker and anything else you're particular about, or else direct me to photos that you like and I'll study the photos and go from there.  Like I say, I don't do exact copies, so its no problem for me to go off pictures, they just gotta be good pictures from different angles.  And please don't use the "W" word again, it really rattles me, LOL.

Looking forward to this!  My first board for someone else!

If it works out, I'll most likely be doing it again (I know I'm gonna love whatever I get, just hope you aren't too diasppointed, or it doesn't spring a leak first time out or whatever LOL).  Get me all the info a.s.a.p., 'cuz I'm anxious to get started, and like I say, these things take a bit of time.  Maybe I'll post a blow-by-blow here, so anyone can watch the folly unfold!

Its on!  I admire your intestinal fortitude LOL. 

Ken - you are an artist - would I presume to direct Michaelangelo?  My only advice is Don't overdo it - I'm a simple man with simple tastes.

Take your time.  OK, I'll see if I can do this at 9'6".  It'll be a challenge, but that's what I asked for LOL.  I did rebuild that 9'6" that was broken in two, so it'll fit in that girly-man-cave of mine, but how many times did I get resin on my pants just trying to get out the door hahaha.  Thing is, I break out in hives when I hear the "W" word, because even some guys who build wood boards tell me they're too heavy to ride any good, and I just don't believe it.  Of course, I don't rip like Taj or anything, but even Roger Hall, who builds foam boards for a living, prefers wood boards for his own quiver.  Anyway, to each their own, everyone can ride what they like - I'm not trying to start a forum war or anything, and I don't want to start getting personal messages from guys telling me they know Brewer and Lopez and so therefore I can't disagree with them online LOL. 

When I first got back into surfing I started with a 6'10 retro fish, and really enjoyed it.  True, my wave count sucked, but that had to be partially due to a 23-year layoff from surfing.  Now, at the advice of a lot of the sages here, I've got two longboards and love 'em.  But when the bigger waves come, I feel more comfortable on a smaller board, since that's what I rode most my surfing life back in the day.  Growin' old sucks for sure, so we just gotta take one day at a time and be glad for what we have today, and not worry about tomorrow too much, other than takin' care of ourselves.  I just want to thank you for taking me up on the offer, it does my heart good to be building my first board for a "client", I'm stoked on getting started once the template arrives.