Surfer6:31Meet the Board That’s “Like Pre-Marital Sex with CBD Infused”Surfer - SURFERThere are many ways to describe a magic surfboard. A well-shaped surf craft could be labeled as “responsive”, “drivey” or “good on rail”. But according to Gulf Coaster Sterling Spencer, a really great board could also be characterized as being “like pre-marital sex with CBD infused”. For this episode of “Quivers”, the series that lets us peek inside our favorite surfers’ boardbags, we enlisted videographer Michael Witt to interview Spencer at his home in Pensacola, Florida about his go-to roster of shred sleds (there was a bit of confusion as to whether or not Witt was there to film “MTV Cribs” but that was quickly sorted out). As you might imagine, Spencer has collected quite an eclectic lineup of small-wave boards that match the windswell-driven conditions of the Gulf Coast. Press play to hear Spencer break down his arsenal of Chris Christenson and Wade Tokoro surfboards (dimensions of each listed below) and then take a few moments to watch our other episodes featuring Craig Anderson, Torren Martyn, Chippa Wilson and more. “CC Fish” by Christenson Surfboards 5’2 x20 1/2 x2 ¾ “Nautilus” by Christenson Surfboards 6’6 21x 2 3/4 x2 5/8 “Hole Shot” by Christenson Surfboards 5’8×19 1/2 x 2 5/16 “Ocean Racer” by Christenson Surfboards 4’11 x 20 x 2 3/8 “The Coffin” by Dark Arts Surf 4’11 20 1/4 2 3/8 Wade Tokoro Surfboards 5’11 x 18 1/4 x 2 1/8 “Lane Splitter” by Christenson Surfboards 5’1 x 18 3/4’’ x 2 5/16’’ “Chris Craft Glider” by Christenson Surfboards 11’ x 22 1/2” x 3 1/8” “Surfer Rosa” by Christenson Surfboards 5’4 x 20’’ x 2 3/8’’ [Editor’s Note: This video was originally published in 2020]
Surfer9:49Michael February’s Offbeat Quiver Includes Twins, Mids, Soft Boards and MoreSurfer - SURFERMichael February is hardly what you’d call a conformist when it comes to style, so it’s no surprise his quiver follows suit. Twinnies, mid-lengths, retro-replicas, even a spongy hunk of foam. In fact, the odd one out amongst his handful of favorites is a standard 6’0″ shortboard. February admits his quiver wasn’t always as diverse. When he was competing on the ‘QS and ‘CT, he had in rotation pretty much 20 variations of the same shape, but the past few years out of the jersey have given him the space to explore different templates and lines, often with pleasing results. When asked what he ultimately looks for in a surfboard – any surfboard – February’s answer is straightforward: “Something that is fast and carries speed well. When you have a board that carries speed, it’s always easier. Things flow and the board reacts nicely. It gives you that feeling under your feet that you can do whatever you’re thinking.” And if he could only ride one shape for the next year? “It would probably be a twin-fin because I find them super versatile. You can add different setups, like Mark Richards-type fins, where they’re a little more loose and lively. Or bigger keel fins, which are more drivey and can hold in bigger stuff. They’re good in the barrel and really fun for turns. They’re just a good all-round shape that works in most conditions.” To get a closer look at Mikey’s varied quiver, press play in our episode of “Quivers” above. Featured boards in order of appearance: “Twin Pin” by Channel Islands Surfboards 5’9” x 19 ½” x 2 5/8” “Retro Twin” by Mark Richards Surfboards 5’8” x 19 ¾” x 2 5/8” “Happy Step-Up” by Channel Islands Surfboards 6’0” x 19” x 2 3/8” “CI MID” by Channel Islands Surfboards 6’10 x 20 1/8” x 2 5/8” 88 Surfboards Soft Top 7’0” Be sure to check out our past “Quivers” episodes below: Mikey Wright’s Quiver Is More Than Just Flame-Sprayed Thrusters • Creed McTaggart’s Quiver Includes a Sponge and a Former CTer’s Sled • Aerial Phenom Craig Anderson Ain’t Scared of a Single Fin • Take a Look Inside Torren Martyn’s Groovy Quiver
Surfer5:14Check Out the Highly Unorthodox Quiver of the World’s Most Progressive AerialistSurfer - SURFER“I don’t know how to talk about a surfboard, for real,” laughs Chippa Wilson, in the above episode of “Quivers”. Fortunately for Wilson, his freakish ability on a surfboard means he’s allowed to let his surfing do all of the talking. Whether he’s riding a shortboard, a performance soft top or standing on a boogie board, Wilson is able to ride a wave like nobody else in the world. When it comes to his go-to shortboards, Wilson is loyal to his local shaper. He’s been riding a 5’6″ from MH Surfboards for the last 16 years. But, as you’ll see in the clip above, Wilson’s quiver is far from standard and also includes a 6’0″ channel-bottomed Simon Jones gun (a “Rhino Chaser”, as Wilson calls it), as well as a couple variations of soft tops–some with fins, and some without. Press play and find out how Wilson’s unorthodox quiver has helped him become on of the most progressive surfers on earth. [Editor’s Note: This video was originally published in 2019]
Surfer11:49Do You Think You Could Rip a Transition-Era Skip Frye?Surfer - SURFEROn paper, the above “Shed Sessions” installment looked to be a recipe for success. A Skip Frye-shaped, JoJo Roper-repaired transition-era Gordon & Smith selected by “Shed Sessions” impresario and Bird’s Surf Shed owner Eric “Bird” Huffman and earmarked for SoCal stylemaster Devon Howard–what could go wrong? While that’s surely an unimpeachable crew of San Diegans, Howard’s virgin San Clemente test-drive got off to a shaky start, the 8’3” x 23 ¼” craft causing the typically stoic stylemaster fits and leading him to call the vee-bottomed relic, “hands-down, the worst surfboard I’ve ever ridden in my life.” Yet, if Howard’s surfing on the obscure vessel proved anything, it’s that his version of kooking it is an average surfer’s version of style and grace. Howard’s “Shed Sessions” also proves him a truly flexible thinker, one rearing for a challenge. With Huffman in tow, Howard visits Frye, hoping the man whose hands shaped the board will help Howard take control of its proverbial wheel. When asked for his thoughts on the board, Frye’s priceless answer reminds us why time spent in the bay with your local master craftsman is always time well spent. Click play to watch Howard look pretty good riding a board he found pretty challenging. [Ed’s Note: this episode was originally published in 2020]
Surfer11:56This Is The Ultimate 10-Board QuiverSurfer - SURFERFor years now, in our series titled “Quivers”, we’ve been peering inside the boardbags and into the garages of the world’s best surfers and asking them questions about their go-to surfboards. We decided to revisit some of our favorite designs throughout the episodes. In doing so, we picked out 10 very different surfboards, from 10 very different surfers, and edited them together into this: The ultimate 10-board quiver. In this episode, you’ll find a craft for every sort of condition imaginable. Now, your challenge is to narrow these down to your favorite three and put in an order with your local shaper. You’ll be so happy you did. “Quivers” episodes, in order of appearance (as well as the featured shaper and design): Mason Ho’s Owl Chapman Pin Tail Chippa Wilson’s Simon Jones 6’0 Twin Step Up Sterling Spencer’s Christensen Ocean Racer Dylan Graves’ Haydenshapes Love Buzz Noa Deane’s LSD 6’0 Diamond Tail Torren Martyn’s Simon Jones 5’4 Moon Tail Twin Craig Anderson’s Ryan Burch Twin Keel Oliver Kurtz’s Sharp Eye 6’6 Step Up Ian Gottron’s Tyler Warren Swallow Thruster Zack Flores’ Self Shaped 6’6 Single Fin Pin
Surfer2:32Watch Dane Reynolds Surf the Strangest Boards You’ve Ever SeenSurfer - SURFER“It’s so bizarre and goes sideways so oddly that it’s actually kind of fun,” says Dane Reynolds, of one of the very bizarre and very sideways-going boards he shaped and surfed in the video above. A couple of years ago, Dane was selected to be a guest shaper for the Duct Tape Festival in Huntington Beach. But rather than craft a functional piece of equipment that he’s actually capable of shaping (Dane has spent ample time in a shaping bay mowing down self-shapes), the Ventura native decided to get a little experimental. “I’m going to make something with really bizarre lines that just doesn’t look like it should even be a surfboard,” Dane told us in the making of this video. DR’s Frankenstein experimentation resulted in two oddball pieces of foam and fiberglass, all sharp edges and 90-degree angles. Shortly after the glassing was completed, Dane took his creations for a spin alongside pro skater/surfer Curren Caples. Despite the boards many inherent flaws, Dane and Curren were still able to rip the bag out of the misfit shapes. Click play above to hear Dane’s analysis of the strange (yet ultimately fun) shapes. [Ed’s Note: This feature has been updated from its original appearance during the 2019 Duct Tape Festival]
