I've enjoyed three custom surfboards from Ward since 2004. His takes the time to incorporate client…read moreinterests, water dynamics, break physics and his waterman wisdom to generate the perfect product. I've surfed his boards from the Arctic to SoCal with consistent results in all conditions. Durable boards, excellent quality and that customer focus that removes all doubt that your time and money is only going to further your hobby, passion, obsession in search of the perfect glide.

Ward made me a board six years ago, as I was just starting to become regular with my surfing…read more After listening to my needs and asking good questions he made me the perfect big short board for my ability level, something that was fun right away and got me into a lot of waves, but that also helped me improve greatly as a surfer. It's still my go-to board on busy SC days, letting me sit on the shoulder or at the peak, giving me paddle power and enough maneuverability to improve every day. Babe the Blue Ox is also bomb-proof; I've never had to repair it. I highly recommend Ward.

M10 Boards are the best! I have been getting custom short boards from Rashe for about 8 years, and…read morehave travelled around the world with them. The last board I got was especially perfect, Rashe and I spent a bit of time fine tuning all the dimensions. It's a little more thick and floaty than all my other boards, which is great for this stage in my life as it helps me get into faster, larger, waves. Rashe is a great guy as well, we have been family friends with him for a long time and have taken many surf trips with him! If you're looking to get a custom board shaped in Santa Cruz, M10 is the way to go!

I've had two M10 boards now and they are rock solid. Well made and a great selection of models to…read morework from. If you're looking for a custom made-hand board built in Santa Cruz M10 has you covered. Order early because there queue can be long!

I just want to say what an amazing experience I had with purchasing my Starboard paddle board from…read moreCovewater Paddle Surf. Olivier was extraordinarily helpful in finding me a board and working on getting it delivered to the East coast. He carefully wrapped the board and it arrived here in perfect shape. I am now on my board almost everyday and I am in heaven every time I step on this board..aka Stella Bella Starboard. I would recommend Covewater Paddle surf to everyone and a special thanks to Olivier!!

I booked a private SUP surf lesson with Olivier and had a great experience. Olivier is incredibly…read moreknowledgable and an excellent instructor. He tailored the equipment and location to my skill level and we had an epic session where I learned more in 2 hours than I had in years of paddle surfing. Olivier uses headset technology that allows him to communicate with you throughout the session - it was amazing. Book a lesson with Oliver and you will level up immediately. Plus you'll have a ton of fun!

Go to Ventana Surfboards! Go to their web site!…read morehttps://ventanasurfboards.com/ Martijn and David are so darn creative. Everything from their tchotchkes to their surf and SUP boards are first rate. The artisanship is over the top. They don't merely talk sustainability, they practice it as fully as possible. They use recycled wood from fence posts, wine fermenters and water tanks just to name a few. Oh, and wood recovered from the original 1937 77' Western Flyer made famous by John Steinbeck and Doc Ricketts in Steinbeck's book "Journals From the Sea of Cortez" published in 1951. In the various pieces of artwork, yes it's artwork, you may even find slices of golf balls recovered from slices and hooks into the ocean at Pebble Beach. The epoxy covering these beauties is tree sap based by Entropy Resins. They also use a soy based resin by Ecopoxy. OK, I told you so. Plus, you gotta catch the nifty RC dune buggy with headlights, a key nd a driver that turns its head and waves. And has its own surfboard, and fly rod. Fly rod! Some pix of the toys, and the Western Flyer being recovered, then launched in Port Townsend, WA. The Dude sez 2 thumbs up.

Pat Taylor is a low key hard to find surfboard shaper who has been making surfboards in Santa Cruz…read morefor over 30 years. He has shaped for many notable surfers such as Richard Schmidt, Shawn "Barney" Baron, Josh "Homer" Mulcoy, Ruffo, Pat Oneill, Bryce Ellis, Adam Repogle, Barton Lynch, Marcel, and a few others. He isn't the flashy guy that talks big but he is the guy that can make you a killer quality custom board. His wife Janet Taylor owns Cruz'n in Capitola.

I purchased a board at freeline that Pat hand shaped and sold me. Its awesome. Everywhere I go in…read moresanta cruz people take note of that board. Pat is a legend. If you can, get one of his custom boards!

Joe's an absolute legend. Yeah and where else can you get your gear dialed and visit an authentic…read morewindsurfing museum at the same time? With respect and gratitude. Dana Miller AKA: "The shaman of shred." ________|_

Joe is a superstar. He did a stellar job of fixing my kite (on two occasions) without charging an…read morearm and a leg. Super nice guy. Small operation in Davenport just down the road from Waddell and Scotts Creek. Don't get ripped off by other guys and go to Joe!

One of the great classical hand built surfboard shapers. He now spends time between Arizona and…read moreCalifornia, but he still got the skills if you want a classic longboard of any design nose, Reiter pintail lightweight progressive also he also specializes in great 70s style boards which I can attest to as I remember him from Hanalei back in the day when he used to make boards out of reclaimed surf boards so master craftsman here can't recommend enough.

What a great experience! Michel has built me a beautiful egg. Michel is really knowledgeable and…read morehelpful through the entire process. Michel was able to guide me through the process and the end result exceeded my expectations! He told me how my new egg would perform and after surfing it several days he was spot on. Was shocked by how fast it is, what an easy paddler and especially how beautiful the board turned out. Board was completed on time and Michel communicated progress with me through the whole process. I'll be back for a Carver! I will never buy stock again. Thanks Michel!

I have been wearing wetsuits since the early 90s, and Hotline checks all the boxes. My latest suit…read moreis the chest zip GT, and it performs just as they claim, with the professional and friendly customer service to back it up. With all of the new innovations that have evolved within the wetsuit industry, Hotline is the benchmark for the surfer's wetsuit.

Excellent quality wetsuits, locally owned business with great staff. Highly recommend them!read more