I've enjoyed three custom surfboards from Ward since 2004. His takes the time to incorporate client interests, 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. read more

Ward made me a board six years ago, as I was just starting to become regular with my surfing. 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. read more

Ward made me my first custom board a few weeks ago. Process was interesting fun and easy from start to finish and the board is jaw dropping, from the classic perfect pinline to the high performance ride with easy paddle. He's helping take my surfing up a notch. Ward had been the best and I fully recommend him if you're considering a shaper. read more

Ward is honest and very very professional. He kept things good and very simple. I made a copy from a beat up board that i really like. I show it to ward to make me a copy. He did some tweaking with his style. And change it to EPS.( A lighter foam) My 7'8 looks thick. But its super super light and ward shapes it better than my beat up one. I am loving it very much now and thank you ward! It helps me to understand how to go shorter shorter surfboard. I'm sticking to him for now onThank you WARD! read more

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In a world of flakey shapers / surfers, Ward is salt of the earth. Super nice guy, great customer service, and he shapes killer boards. I was introduced to Ward through some college friends who surf / live in Monterrey. I've been getting boards for about 10 years from him and, while some are more magic than others, they're all good. One of the things I really appreciate about working with Ward is how serious he is about his craft. When I call to order a board (I live in LA now), he has all of the notes from the previous boards he shaped for me... Which makes for really productive conversations about board design, how the last boards I got rode, and what I want out of the current batch. Ward's exactly what you want out of a shaper... good surfer, super smart, and a real artisan when it comes to mowing foam... read more

I have two of his boards, one longboard (fiberglass) and one fish (shaped epoxy) - both are amazing. Clean lines and so obviously made by a surfer for surfers. read more

I've been riding my 6'6 short for the majority of the year and in searching for a longer board to use in smaller summer waves. I didn't' want to buy a full long board so I've been in the market for a fun/hybrid board. This weekend I took a trip down to Santa Cruz and found a used 7'10 hybrid board shaped by Ward at pearson's shop. I immediately took it out to give the board a go. The experience made me research Ward and I'm planning have a custom made by him soon. Keep up the awesome work. read more

Ward made my 13 year old daughter an 8-8 long board for christmas When it came time to ship it fedex wanted 500 dollars to ship it in time for the holiday. I had a friend flying out of sfo that week and ward met him with the board at 6am to deliver the board in time. Thanks ward! read more

Just had Ward do 2 custom boards. Came out very nice. Ward is also a pleasure to work with. If you want a board made to your specifications - definitely give Ward a call. read more

Legend. A complete and total craftsman who can make your surfing better and more enjoyable no matter what stage you're at. I'm a 20+ year customer. He's pretty nice, too. read more

Ward boards are as good as they get. I got my first Coffey in 2004 and have never looked back. Ward was so far ahead of everyone else in terms of handshaped epoxy, even going so far as to make his own blanks before they were commercially available. He is an amazing craftsman and really takes the time to hear what you have to say when talking to you about what you want to ride. I've got everything from 6'0 modified thruster fish to 7'3 gun that I've only used in Indo and a few days in huge California and never gone wrong. Ward is rad. read more

On my 6th board from ward. Read the other reviews. Cant say enough good things about this guy. He makes boards for me. Those are my templates in the file cabinet. My progression as a surfer is all he cares about. Do yourself a favor. read more

Ward is an excellent shaper and a friendly guy. I've been surfing since I was 12 years old and he is capable of producing some boards that are at the pinnacle of high performance. If his boards are good enough for the best surfers in Santa Cruz, they're good enough for me! He is very friendly and willing to talk to you at length about where you are looking to take your surfing. Five stars without a doubt. Highly recommended. read more

I have been having sooooooooooo much damn fun on my 6'4'' quad from Ward the last month and a half that not writting a review is just plain stupid! First, I met Ward in Costa Rica in 1997. A friend of mine that I was on the trip with surfed Coffey boards and saw Ward on the beach in Tamarindo. It was a small day at the beach break and he had a long board in hand. I started talking to Ward and mentioned that I had never road a long board. Without even thinking about it he insists I paddle out on this brand new, beautiful board he had shaped just for the trip. REMEMBER, I JUST MET THE MAN... bottom line, Ward is a nice guy AND THEN SOME! So, I got back state side minus a board (boak it at Salsa Brava) and went to talk to Ward. He asked me about the waves I like to surf, took into consideration my height and weight and shaped me a board that definitely helped take my surfing to the next level. I now have four Coffey boards and all I can say is I love em all (and have a few more I can not wait to order)! Ward is the man PERIOD! My surfing has progressed so much due to my equipment being shaped for me. Go talk to Ward if you want to get the most out of your sessions in the water. Thank you Ward! read more

I will be picking up my 4th board from Ward this week. He is a pleasure to work with and I am 100% happy with all of my boards. I first bought a Coffey 6'8" rounded pin from a friend. I knew I liked that shape so I worked with Ward to custom shape a 6'4" round tail and a 5'9 round tail. I am now waiting on my 7'0" mini gun for Ocean Beach and am stoked to pick it up this week with winter almost here. I would highly recommend working with Ward on your quiver. Enjoy! read more

I write very few reviews on yelp or anywhere else. But, when you find the real deal, then you have to write a review. Ward is the real deal--expert craftsmanship, value, honesty, great communication, patient, detailed, precise. He's also a hugely positive influence in Santa Cruz surfing; the Coffeys do a fantastic job organizing and leading the middle school and high school surf leagues. I"m not sure that there is anybody in Santa Cruz who gives more back to the surfing community. He's a fine man and true, and, of course, he makes great boards. Look no further for a custom shaper. read more

Ward is an expert in every sense of the word! He takes pride in his work and shapes boards after listening to what you want. He is a terrific guy and is the definition of the truly local shaper and expert craftsman. read more

Ward is a seriously great shaper. The man does what he says he can do and without a doubt has got the skills to back it up. His glassers (Del Cabo) on the other hand, not so much. Their work is sub par at best and they charge crazy amounts of money. I picked up a board that was shaped beautifully but had the worst glass job I had seen in a long time, and never from a professional laminator. There were pin holes everywhere and at least three solid burn throughs, yet they want to charge for a professional lamination. If you get Ward to shape you a board, and I think you should, ask that he not let Del Cabo laminate the thing. It's like restoring a 57 Chevy to cherry condition and then letting a 10 year old with a can of spray paint finish it up for you. I speak from experience. I have seen at least a decade of boards that have been laminated by Del Cabo and sub par with price gouging is their mantra. So please listen to me when I say Ward as a shaper, amazing. Del Cabo as a laminator, horrible. read more

I'd give Ward 6 stars if it were possible. He's shaped numerous boards for me. He's more that a great craftsman and artisan...he's a magician. He takes the time to work through the details and he's listens carefully to you, always answers calls and delivers the boards on schedule. I'm an experimenter and like to try new designs and dimensions each time. Every board Ward has shapes has been just superb. I have often recommended him to my best surfing buddies. Thanks Ward! read more