The benefits of a custom hand shaped surfboard
Ever considered getting a custom surfboard, but felt a bit lost about where to start?
With so many off-the-rack boards sitting in surf shops, it’s fair to ask: Why order a custom surfboard instead of buying ready-to-go stock?
The short answer is simple: So you get a board tailored exactly to your needs and the feelings you’re chasing on a wave.
At A Mano Surf, ordering a custom board isn’t a confusing process. From our workshop in Byron Bay, we guide you through every design decision, update you as your board takes shape, and ensure you end up with a one-of-a-kind craft built for maximum stoke.
“There are no bad waves, only a poor choice of equipment and a lousy attitude.”
— Mickey Munoz, Surf Pioneer & Shaper
Why Choose a Custom Surfboard?
Every surfer rides differently. Our own physical abilities, style preference, and local wave conditions all affect our experience. Standard, mass-produced boards rely on generic assumptions about the rider.
A custom surfboard turns your unique traits into an advantage:
Tailored Sizing & Hydrodynamics: Designed for your specific weight, paddling strength, and local break.
Refined Performance: Fine-tuned rocker, rail profiles, and bottom contours suited to the sensations you want on a wave.
Unique Aesthetic: Handcrafted finishes, resin tints, and custom outlines that reflect your style.
We see surfboards as tools to amplify the feeling of riding a wave, every surfboard should be as unique as their rider.
The A Mano Surf Approach: Guided Discovery
Ordering your dream board shouldn't be as transactional as a few clicks on an online store or grabbing a stock board off a rack.
At A Mano Surf, shaping a board is a collaborative, guided discovery process:
You focus on the feelings: Tell us about the sensations you’re chasing, the waves you ride most, and where you want to take your surfing.
We handle the hydrodynamics: You don't need to be an expert in rail profiles, rocker lines or foam distribution, that’s our job.
We craft a board that grows with you: You walk away with a hand-shaped surfboard designed to stoke your curiosity and grow with you to keep surfing fun.
How to Order Your Custom Surfboard in 5 Simple Steps
Our base model surfboard templates serve as inspiration for your design. We can modify existing outlines or build something entirely custom from scratch.
1. Submit the order online
We have purposely kept this first step of the process simple. We save all the exciting stuff for the design consultation so you don’t feel like you need to be an expert in hydrodynamics just to submit your order. To lock in your shaping slot, we take a $400 deposit.
2. Connect for a Design Consultation
We’ll schedule a video call or in person meeting to talk through your ideas. We’ll discuss your surfing experience, the waves you like to surf and the feelings you’re chasing so we can translate your goals into exact surfboard design details.
3. Shaping Your Board
Once the design is locked in, shaping begins in our Byron Bay workshop. Every board is hand-shaped from start to finish using premium Burford Blanks for optimal strength, performance and longevity.
4. Glassing, Resin Tints, Custom Inlays & Finishing
We pride ourselves on the top quality finish of boards, so we take our time meticulously focusing on every detail of the glassing. No detail is rushed and this is what creates a world class surfboard. Whether you want clear resin, custom resin tints, or artwork, our expert hands finish your board to perfection.
5. Pick-Up or Worldwide Delivery
Once the glassing is completed, your board is ready for action! You can pick it up directly from our Byron Bay workshop or have us package and ship it to your doorstep via courier. We safely deliver worldwide, wherever you surf.
Ready to get the board rolling on your new dream surfboard?
Whether you're looking to tweak one of our proven models or dream up a completely custom shape, we’re ready to collaborate. Get in touch or place the order for your new dream surfboard here and we will handle the rest.
