8'6 x 30" Stamps Grim Ripper: My new one... just in time for southern Baja!

Here she is just finish shaped... off to get a spray and then back for glassing. I'm super excited for this one especially since I should have it for my trip down south. I rode one just like this a month ago, went home and immediately ordered one up for myself. Can't wait to see it all finished!

Clean lines, light and set up as a 2 + 1

Board Sale! Custom, handshaped Stamps Viking Bump: 9'10 x 29" x 4.5"

Wow! This one looks like it was made for me, those are my colors. I'm thinking this would be a mid-range, step up board for those overhead juicy days. I'm digging the width number. I'm a big fan of 29" wide for us bigger guys (I actually ride my boards at 30" but I'm thinking about whittling that back down to around 29 - 29.5). I haven't paddled or surfed this board but from the outline it looks like it'd fly- and the little bumps back toward the tail keep it loose when you get your foot onto the back quarter of the thing. Tim told me that this thing has barely been used- steal it at $1000. Contact Tim at stampssurfboards@gmail.com.

 

Ordering A Custom Stand Up Board: Here's how it goes...

Here we go again! I just spent the morning up at the Stamps surfboard factory talking to Tim Stamps about my next board. Tim makes all my boards- if you find a good shaper that you can work with stick with him. We've been ratcheting the design closer and closer to the feel that I'm looking for- I'm excited about this new one.



This is where it begins. Always try to bring in what you've been riding, this gives the shaper a reference point to work from- it also allows you to talk about what you like and dislike about your current board. Tim uses CAD software to design my boards- I'm a HUGE fan of this technology. Working from digital files of previous boards allows a shaper to be much more precise when shaping the next iteration of a board. Here we're checking the outline and talking about refinements to the 9'4 Viking that I've been riding.

"What's the application?" That's the big question of the morning.... Tim dropped it on me right off the bat. My answer? I want a board that fits the quick sections and tight curves of a juicy, beach break wave. I'm not looking for a board to nose ride, I'm looking to tighten up the arcs of my turns. I want a board that promotes speed and flow, I want to connect the dots as a I go down the line- and I want to go fast.

Practically, this will be my daily driver. Additionally, I'd like for it to have some range. I don't envision doing five or six mile runs on it but I'd like to be able to cover a mile or two without too much trouble. I'm ready to sacrifice a little paddle-ability for performance but I'm not quite ready to completely give up the glide.

Tim inks it up at 9'1". It's a 3" drop in length from what I'm on now, a sensible amount of change. In surfboard design, inches are a big deal- a 3" change will make a big difference in the board's character.



Tim fills out the order form, making notes to himself about the changes to the design's outline. A big part of the discussion centers on the board's fin set up. I'm sold on the Gerry Lopez Stand Up Fins that Futures is putting out- these things are HOT. The big question though is if we're going to go quad or thruster- Stamps gives me the option to run five fin boxes. The idea is that I can try the board in each fin configuration. Stoked! I agree and we add that to the order sheet-this is shaping up to be one hot board... the excitement builds.

For color, the sky is the limit. This is the fun part. You can do whatever you want (or can afford), the artist who handles Tim's boards is super talented and can do almost anything. I, however, stick with my favorite scheme- we call it the "Mahi Spray", it's the green, blue and yellow coloring that I get on all of my boards.

Now all that's left to do is wait- that part sucks!

Another New One: Stamps 8'10" Ninja Bump

Stamps Ninja Bump. Check it out:



Photo: 8'10" x 28.5" x 3.75" Stamps paddles this one and he comes in at around 160 or so. Flaco.



Photo: Little bump right in the hind quarters... see it?



Photo: Pulled out thin like a nasty ol' piece of salt water taffy.

Big Chad Report: 10' Stamps Viking

I knew I was in trouble when I saw for the first time John doing a bottom turn with the new Stamps Viking model. It was the first time I had seen one of my paddle board friends really "surf" a stand up board. I knew it was going to change everything.

Paddle boarding for me changed from a very mellow long boarder mentality into thinking about true cutbacks, hard bottom turns and putting the board up in the lip. What I didn't know is that the speed it generates going down the line and the maneuverability that it offered were better than expected.

You can see from the photo this is not a long board nose, even if the board is ten feet long, and I notice not only when dropping in but it is also way easier to get up on top of the lip or the whitewash to get around sections.

I love the tapering of this board. Doesn't it look so sexy? I got a pintail, well a big guy's pintail anyway, and this thing turns fast. Every time I change change edges with this board it doesn't lag and slow down, it speeds up.

Stamps did a great job of keeping the volume almost the same as my last board even though this board has a much smaller and thinner nose and tail. The nose and the tail have made all the difference in the world.

Stamps 7'6" Grim Ripper

I try to just drive on by when I know I'm getting close. The place is like the Death Star though- the tractor beam is too powerful. And just like Darth, the dude inside can be wickedly cruel...

"You're going to want to see this little 7'6" I'm padding up right now". Are you kidding me? A simple Jedi mind-trick is all it takes to get me veering off the southbound 405 and down the Westminster offramp. Resist? Yeah right- my mind's too weak. And Stamps? Yoda called it, "The force is strong in this one." Check out this hot new stick:



Somebody in HB is going to be really happy, really soon.



I know for sure this one's 7'6" the other dimensions were something like 28.5" wide x 3.75" thick... I think.



Hand grips on every board and Monster Deck Grip up on the nose... check the size on this thing... this is a little carving tool!



Super clean... and curvy!



If big Luke Egan can rip quads on the short stand-o so can you!



The trade mark Stamps airbrush getting cleaned up and acrylic sealed. Sweet.

New Stamps 11'0": I'm getting that new board itch...

Lessons? Click here

Tom Ray Jr. over on the east coast just sent me those photos of a brand new 11'0" Stamps he just had shipped over. For the record, seeing all these new boards is killing me. I'm getting that itch, that little irritation that screams, "hide your wallet now!". That feeling that if I make the drive up to the Stamps board factory, I'm going to do something that will test the bounds of that thing that my wife calls, "trust".

Anyways, here's what Tom Ray had to say about his freshly ordered stick:

John, this is my 3rd board from Tim. 1st one was the 10’6” in the video of your brother's Viking getting glassed ( orange/green ). Got this one blown up to 11’0” to keep in Maryland at my buddy's place ( I am in Florida). I like the 10’6” a bunch and wanted something a little bit bigger due to the fact that normally its full suit time when I get up there. It'll be used for beach break conditions. Have not surfed it yet but got some paddling in on it and it for sure is a keeper. Can’t go wrong with a Stamps !!!!

Thanks, bro, you're KILLING me!



I think Stamps calls this style of paint job the Mahi-effect. As far as I'm concerned, it's so bitchin' it's a must have when you order one up from him- almost like a trademark of radicalness.



Really, really cool. I'd love to expand my quiver with one of these, maybe in a 10'0 and a fresh Vike- something in the 9'0 range... or possible a Grim Ripper.... or maybe the new winged round tail....or....or.... I've got problems.

A couple of shop pics: Something new from the Stamps factory.

Picked these up out of the email a couple weeks ago. All the note said was "Brian's creepy new stand up board" and a little scrawl about, "wider, thinner, winged... we'll see". Definitely going in a different direction with this one. Indeed, we will see.



Photo: A little thickness in the middle leading to a flat paddling porch. Interesting. And super foiled at the nose and tail... sexy.



Photo: How about those little wings on that round tail?

Stand up paddle surf lessons in sunny San Diego- get 'em while they're hot! The water's warming up, the surf is rolling in... get yourself on a stand up board now and learn the skills you'll need to be part of the hottest water sport around. Click here for more information. To book a lesson call John at 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net

Check this one out: Stamps Grim Ripper 7'11 x 29" x 4"

Blame this one on the Luke Egan clip. There's nothing like some hot ripping to reset and refresh your mind. For this one, Tim took a look back at the 8'0" SUP he shaped a year and a half ago. The board was named Salma (after the curvacious actress Salma Hayek), Salma's curves got transcribed onto a hot short board outline and the result is the Grim Ripper. Take a look at the latest SUP to come out of the Stamps factory:



I'm feeling it with this board- the proportions just look right. The width in the nose and the gut leads me to believe that this one (like the Viking model) will have the inherent stability that makes Stamps' SUP short boards so user friendly.



Check out the short board in the background- that's the Flare model (Tim's personal 5'6" daily driver) that Tim used as the template for the G/r.



Nose view. Most of Tim's short boards are quads, this new SUP model will also feature four fins. Supposedly, the Futures guys have got some new quad sets in the works... maybe we'll get a peek at something new on this one.



Here's a great view of the overall shape of the two boards. I'm really blown away by the proportionality of the G.Rip. The board just looks so good! I'm getting myself in line for one of these. The length keeps dancing around in my head but I'm thinking I'll end up somewhere in the 8'6" to 9'0" zone (the number 8'8" keeps sticking in my head for some reason). Only time will tell- until then, I'll keep you posted!


Learn how to stand up paddle surf here in sunny San Diego! Click here for more information about our award winning stand up paddle lessons. SUP lessons are for everyone so get on out here and give it a shot! Call John at 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net

New Stuff: 8'6" STAMPS Viking...and a Carbon Stock Class Racer

Can you feel it? Summer's right around the corner! The days are getting longer... the water's warmed up a bit- and there's even been some south swells! You know what that means right? Time to order up a fresh board.

Nothing keeps you motivated like waiting for a freshy. And nothing keeps you progressing like stepping on a new shape. If your surfing is feeling stale, blow it up by switching it up. Get yourself to a boardsmithand sit down for a chat. Talk about where you're at and where you want to go and then just let the magic begin! Shoot... I think I just convinced myself!

Check out these new ones made by Tim Stamps:



That's an 8'6" on the left and a 10'0 on the right. Both are Viking model stand up boards. Clean, fast and loose- these are boards meant to be driven, not cruised. These are step-up boards- if you're still working on balancing and like your boards nice and stable, heavy and predictable- these are not for you. Everything about the Viking is high performance- search out some Future Fins 3/2/1s for the sides (preferably in G10) and you've got a board that's a blur. Go rip cutbacks and lippers- this is the one that'll take you there.



Here's a new Stock Class (12'6") racer for the California series races. Carbon fiber bottom for stiffness, foot wells, some other stuff I'm not at liberty to divulge. Rad.



More of a hull than a "board", don't you think?



Are you convinced yet? Take that tax return and go stimulate the economy. Saving is for wussies... be a good American and go spend some money!

Paddle surf lessons in sunny San Diego! Give me a call 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net come learn the Ashley-method of stand up paddling. Want more information? Click here!

A little floater: Stamps 9.0' x 28.5" x 4"

Here's a little shot of a floater re-entry on a board that's a lot smaller than I thought would be possible for a guy of my size. Sweet ride, a little bit of work just standing on it but worth it for the snaps, floats and hits.

Custom Stamps 9.0: Zach's Board

Another custom Stamps hit the water today. My friend Zach ordered this one up and I can tell his mind is blown. Here's the story in his own words:



Photo: Shop foreman, design guru, warrior-poet... Cowboy.

"So, when I arrive I'm greeted by Cowboy and Tim. Really nice guy. He was working on a board. I get my first glimpse of my board and am pretty stoked."



Photo: Rhymin' and stealin'...

"Tim puts the fins in and I pack it into my bag, then strap it on the roof. I'm off! That was the longest 85 miles of my life. I popped in some 1969 Grateful Dead in order to make the ride seem shorter. 40 minute jam sessions have a way of doing that."



"I finally arrive at La Jolla Shores. I unpack the board and am super excited once I pull it out of the bag and see how light and tiny it is. The shape looks killer. I can only anticipate how this thing is going to perform. Still, I am thinking I am going to have go through a few sessions of the wobbles before I can enjoy it. I check the surf. Fairly flat, but glassy. Nice! Just what I wanted for my first day out. Just some clean, small waves."



"I hit the water. I really like how Tim puts on the track pad in 4 sections. I stand and start paddling. What? This thing is super stable. No way! Well that was easier than I thought. Here comes a wave. I try the 180 turn to get set up. Wow! That was easy. Nothing like trying that on my boat. Okay, time to paddle. Damn, this thing is a super fast paddler. In the wave. Drop my foot back to the rear track pad and begin pumping up and down the little face! Big smile on my face at this point.



"Long story short. This board had no learning curve. It paddles into waves way faster than my 10'. Not sure of the physics on that one, but I know for sure it's a faster board."

"Speed! This thing is like lighting on a wave. For the first time in a long time I am ahead of the curl! Now I've got a real reason to work on that cut-back. I was even going for some mini-floaters on this thing!"



"Thanks for hooking me up with Tim. Damn, I'm excited about this board!"

How rad is that? Can't wait to get a look at this little nine foot rocket. Once again, I'm digging the numbers on this board. Short at 9.0' but with a 29" gut right at the sweet spot, the board is accessible. Zach was surprised at the paddle-ability that Stamps built into his board.



Photo: A bigger Viking for a bigger boy. This one comes in at 9'4" x 29.5 x 4.5", I come in at 5'9 x 235lbs. With a big single concave running into substantial double scoops out the tail the thing has got a ridiculous amount of top end squirt.

This isn't surprising to me, I felt exactly the same way when I first hopped on my Viking. In fact, I remember having a conversation with Tim about the very first version of the Viking that he built for himself.



After the board came off the mill and he'd scrubbed it out, Tim told me that he got really bummed because as he looked it over he thought to himself that he'd just wasted a pretty substantial amount of cash designing a stand up that looked way to small and squirrely to paddle.



Well, you can predict what happened when he got it onto the water. The thing was magic!

Stamps is on to something with this design. The Viking is a hot, shortboard style, stand up board. It's meant to be driven, not cruised. If you come pre-programmed with a need to pump and weave, carve and crack the lip- this is your board. It combines speed with rip-ability and stability. If you get a chance, check one out - you won't be sorry! Just ask Zach!

Check out Tim Stamps' boards at www.surfboardsbystamps.com

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons in San Diego. If you'd like to be a part of the coolest new, sport to hit the water give me a call 619.213.6622 or email me at john@paddlesurf.net to set up a private lesson with me on my equipment. Here's your chance to try out some of the boards we've written about here- don't wait... summer's right around the corner! For more information and customer testimonials click here.

www.surfboardsbystamps.com: Shaping one up video clip

Cowboy took some time to set up the video camera and film Stamps shaping up a little rip stick. I got so stoked on the clip that I poached it off YouTube and brought it here for your viewing pleasure. This one's not a stand up board but I'm pushing Cowboy to give us a SUP specific shaping film. And I happen to know that a smaller Viking model is in the works, so you never know....



Stand up paddle surf lessons in sunny, warm, beautiful San Diego. If you're interested in getting out and learning to stand up paddlesurf- you've come to the right place. Our lessons will get you started safely and correctly. Your first lesson will be held on the calm, flat waters of the San Diego Bay. We've put over a hundred people on stand up boards and have found that starting in water that you can handle is the way to go. Give us an call (619.213.6622) or email john@paddlesurf.net and we'll get you on the Lesson Calender today!

Stamps Factory Tour Video Clip

Check out what Cowboy put together for the Stamps Surf Board Factory:



If you haven't met Cowboy, head over to Cowboy's corner at Tim's website: www.surfboardsbystamps.com that dog's got a lot to say (and check out the Rides section while you're there... hide your wallet).

Sick, Nutz, Insane... Magic

These are the words I've used to describe my new board - and I'm not exaggerating.

Mash here, reporting while John is still down in Mex. Happy New Year everyone, I hope you had an amazing 2008, and wishes for an even better 2009.

Now, back to the new board. You DO NOT want to try this board. It will seriously mess you up. You won't be happy until you have your own. Here's the technical breakdown first:

Shaper: Tim Stamps
Length: 9'-2"
Width: 29"
Thick: 4 1/8"

I'm not sure how he does it, but this board does not feel anything like the other Stand Up Boards I've surfed. It responds immediately, not too slippery, to every thought I have. This morning I surfed Manresa Beach with Buzz and picked up four nice lefts. I was carving all over the face, getting way up into the lip and pulling off steep re-entry's. This board is magic.

Some of you might be wondering how difficult it is to stand on, while paddling around, or waiting for the next set. Here's the truth... it takes some work. But it's not hard work. I didn't fall off and I wasn't stressed out, but I was aware of my legs shaking. It's a lot like I felt when I first started stand up, and was falling off the 11'9. I suspect it's just a matter of time and practice.

Here's some photos of my new board and if you're safe in your SUP paradigm, forget you ever heard about this new shape—it will mess you up.

Glassing with Stamps

Here's that video I promised of my brother Mike's stand up board getting glassed by Tim Stamps. Tim shaped out the board and likes to glass 'em up right. By the way, how good does that 9'2" look? And, did you get a peek at the 10'6" that's in the racks? How'd you like to take that one out for a spin?


Find more videos like this on Stand Up Paddle Surfing

Here comes a new one: 9'2" x 29" x 4"....SUCH A HOT STICK!

I got a chance to spend an afternoon with Tim Stamps over at his board shop- what a mistake.



Whenever I go over there I see something that gets me all worked up. This time it was my brother's new 9'2" Viking model stand up; good thing I hid my wallet.



The thing looked so hot it was a battle of will to resist blurting something out like, "Why don't we do another one of those in green?".



Here's some photos of Tim glassing the deck of Mike's board.



I learned a bunch today. It turns out that Tim likes to handle the glassing on the stand ups because he can do something a little extra for the custom boards that come out of his shop.



Tim glasses his stand up boards with an extra long overlap of double 6 ounce glass from the top of the board over the bottom.



What that means is that instead of just getting two layers of glass on the rail, Tim's hand glassed boards get three.



I always wondered why I didn't get open dings on the rails of my boards, I'm sure the triple six on the rail explains it.



This one's going up to Santa Cruz to some lucky guy (you're STOKED Mike!). While I was in the shop I saw three other stand up boards in different stages of completion. A couple of the boards were headed to San Francisco, seems like the word is spreading about these hot shapes!



I shot some video of the process and am going to edit it up before I head south, check back for a peek at how it's done.

Paddle surf lessons in stormy San Diego: Brrrrr, it's getting cold, and there's rumors of rain.... but if you're into, so am I. Let's get out there and learn to paddle surf.... when it warms up a little! Seriously folks: Have a happy holiday season- I'll be back from Cabo San Lucas after New Years Day. Let's make some plans to get out and learn something fun and new in '09. Stand up paddle surf lessons for the young, the young at heart and the just plain crazy! Give me a call 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net Merry Christmas!

Stamps 9'4" Video Clip: Big Boy/Small Board- Fun Times!

Here's a little clip of the new board- super fun and fast! If you're a bigger guy wanting to get on a smaller stand up paddle board you can use this for reference. You'll need to get the balance issues that come with a smaller board resolved but the performance upgrades are worth it.


Find more videos like this on Stand Up Paddle Surfing


I'm stoked on how this new stand up paddle board is working out so far. I've had it out a couple of times in fun, open faced waves with some juice. This board works best when there's some push out there- in this clip the waves were fast but small- not optimal for the board but the board handled it pretty well. I can honestly say that I've got some catching up to do as far as performance goes. In this case I'm definitely not limited by my equipment!

Stand up paddle surf lessons in San Diego? Give us a call: 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net. Be sure to check out our "Lessons" page and read our customer testimonials.

Hobie/Hennessey's Dana Point Race Photos and Results

Andie Johnson sent me some great photos from the Hobie Hennessey's Race in Dana Point. I've been told the conditions were pretty brutal. In addition to the mixed seas rebounding off the jetty there was a nasty south wind blowing straight into the faces of the racers for about four miles of the course.

On the bright side this was a race with cash prizes for the top three finishers in each category. For a full breakdown of all of the finishers checkout the Hobie race results page.

Tim Stamps' race boards did well placing in three SUP divisions. Ernest Johnson (EJ) paddled one of the new Stamps Arrow designs and finished 3rd Overall in Stock SUP; EJ took home a few bucks for his efforts. Farmer Dave, riding the Arrow 1, finished in 1st place in the 30 - 39 year old Division of the Stock SUP category with Tim Stamps finishing 3rd in the 40 - 49 age group of the Stock SUP class.