For some custom board manufacturers, the title of this blog isn’t just a slogan, but an inner conviction. This is also reflected in the design of the surfboards shaped by these companies. Natural materials are combined with the latest manufacturing methods in surfboard production. The result is sustainably built surfboards that can compete very well with established brands in terms of weight and performance.
Excellent surfing conditions, every surfer’s dream, are unfortunately not always available. A surfboard that covers a wider range of conditions is therefore the best choice, especially when traveling with little luggage.
Review
As I had been interested in a wooden board for a while and it was time to invest in a new one, I first went on a surfing session on the Internet to get an overview of what was available. It quickly became clear, that there are not many companies that build wooden surfboards.
The choice finally fell on the Black Mamba from TruwoodSurfboards, a pure custom board manufacturer from Barcelona. The shape of the board is derived from the Hypto Krypto design by Hayden-Shapes and was exactly what I was looking for. Information about the board characteristics is available on the Internet, so I won’t go into it further here. TruwoodSurfboards offers a range of shapes that can all be customized, both in terms of dimensions and visual design. Quality is more important than quantity, so only a few boards are produced each month and each board gets the attention it deserves.
In a relaxed conversation with Rafael Capri, the shaper and owner of TruwoodSurfboards, all the details and wishes were clarified. Even if you have already worked out the dimensions of the desired board in advance, a chat with the shaper is highly recommended. Rafael recommended a slightly shorter board and after my first surf sessions I’m sure it was the right choice.
Now let’s move on to the surfboard. It consists of a recyclable EPS foam core and is planked with Paulownia/Kiri wood. There are also wooden boards that are made entirely of wood or in hollow board construction, but weigh more. For me, weight is the most important factor, so only a foam core was an option.
The rails are made of cork. This is a great advantage if a bump on the head is to be avoided, which unfortunately happens from time to time. Secondly, you don’t have to worry about the rails getting scratched when the board is placed on its side.
In addition, the board edges covered with cork rails stabilize the board to such an extent that there is no need for a middle stringer.
The fin set-up was available as a thruster, quad or five fin set-up, as FCS1 or FUTURE system. I would recommend the five fin set-up to be able to switch between thruster and quad.
One of the most interesting features for me is, that the board is not glassed. The wooden planks are only coated with a thin layer of varnish. The feeling of surfing on a wooden surfboard is something very special and original, so that nothing else will be an option for me in the future.
The surfboard was delivered in a specially cut foam box, which was housed in a thick-layered paper box. This protected the board very well from damage during transportation. In terms of price, it is comparable with established brands.
Recap
The surfboard from TruwoodSurfboards is excellently manufactured, lightweight and delivers the performance you would expect from this shape.
The company focuses on sustainable production and only uses FSC-certified wood. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) / FSC system for certifying forestry, was founded to ensure the sustainable use of forests.
Before buying a wooden board, you should bear in mind that wood is a relatively soft material and does not offer the resilience of an epoxy board. You should therefore refrain from using a comb to refresh the wax and treat the board more carefully on land.
The consultation was very good. As this is a custom board manufacturer, a delivery time of 4 to 8 weeks must be expected.
A separate blog will be written on the subject of wooden surfboards, in which details of the construction will also be discussed.
Further information on the topic of sustainability can be found in our blog “Sustainable Surfing“.
