We have some amazing Custom SUP manufacturers in Australia, but unfortunately many don't have the budgets or time to market themselves to get their name out there. And having time to update a website is probably not that easy either.
Some good names I know of are:
Deep (I met Simon at Noosa a few years ago and was a really nice guy and easy to chat to)
Surefire Boards (I have surfed with Mick a few times and actually have a custom Surefire - Mick is always keen to chat, share his knowledge and has the lightweight and super cool looking boards down pat)
DC (no introduction needed here - Dale is a Guru of Downwind & race boards)
Phantom (I have never met Chris but have seen a couple of his boards which look cool and look to go really good)
I know of a few others that do custom boards but are made overseas and shipped back here, or are made in other factories here in Oz with their stickers on them which may have a place but for this discussion I'm more interested in knowing of and pushing the 100% Australian Made and shaped products - ie, the guy you speak to will design, shape, and possibly even glass your board.
So if you know of any shapers, no matter how big or small; if you have shaped a few, know of anyone who does and maybe have a story and a photo or 2 of their boards, then please share.
Let's hear about and support the salt of the earth brands that make surfing/SUPing what it is truly about: core brands who get people stoked.
There's a few guys in torquay making there own sups now and they all surf really good ... From speaking to them the don't last as long as a pop out and only bout 12 months .. And there just glassing them like normal surfboards too ...
Smik s are designed here too ...His shapes are on fire atm
I ended up going with a custom from Deep, 10'1 by 29 128L pretty much 90% of the JC longboard shape just tweaked it slightly.
I was looking for a 'one board' for all conditions and after demoing every board known to man, I decided to go with a custom. I've only had a hand full of surfs on it so far and i'm stoked with it 
handles a heavy beachie right down to blown out 1 foot point slop, had it made as a five fin option, I rode it as a thruster for a few sessions and then set it up as a quad and so far I prefer it as a quad.
This is my DC Unlimited. 17'4. http://imgur.com/9YV12fI
When i decided i wanted an unlimited there was a real drought on the second hand market, and listings were very few and far between.
I went a saw Dale and told him that i am an average paddler at best - I'm not fast but have plenty of downwinds under the belt - and that i wanted a board that would give me the most fun - i have no need or desire (or lets face it - ability) to be first to the parking lot.
He took a couple of months, and then the board showed up in Sydney for me to pick up.
I love it. Took me a while to get used to it but it is a great board and i would totally do it again.
Great thread!!
its no secret that I have 3 Surefire customs. Each one has my specific requested dimensions that I find, suit my surfing perfectly! That said, knowing exactly what you want and finding someone that can deliver exactly what you ask for is so satisfying. These guys aren't in this game to become wealthy. That's simply not gonna happen. These guys do it because they love it!
I say let's support the locals. They deserve it.
I've been involved with Chris Garrett as a shaper for thirty years and being Kaylans partner the design program has been intense ,we have basically fast tracked Kaylans skills over several boards , from a Billy model 2 x9/6 two x8/10 two x7/10 one each 7/2 6/10 7ft and 6/8.plus a 6/10 for my son and a couple of other Garrett sups ordered for friends , i think I've been around enough SUPs to have a handle so to say.. we are totally surf based and I shoot quiet a few SUP surfers from learners to the very best.and what I've learnt is the big brands can't get the surf craft down .A large sector came from windsurfing backgrounds and have different rockers and profile that is quiet different from a surfboard influenced foil and mindset, the money spent for the brands are wasted when a you could talk to quiet a few incredible shapers that will in my option build you a more than suitable craft for a decent price .please consider the whole balance of ability and scope of the waves you wish to ride ,where you live and place you wants into one of Australias great shapers hand.plus they to have familys to feed
Bart Watkins Surfboards Maroochydore. Bart showed me a custom 10' x 30" noserider he had shaped today and it was awesome. A light blown up longboard at 127 litres and it looked like it would go off! I will try to get some photos.
Select to expand quoteBetterIwas said..
Stonker at Torquay - customs & production
Stonker.com.au
there have been lots of vanguard shape boards coming of that shed
nice waves ,old mate and fam great day on the beach ,Dad sups above average ,knows waves and positioning but once again one of the big four brands put his surfing back by at least 40% as he try to ride three ft long reforming waves ,absolutely great conditions and its a shame to watch a master surfer un equipped , Dad needs a custom .or a good second handy from a decent shaper ,apart from Chris ,in Queensland
you can't go past team Deep ,Dale.LSD.young upcoming shaper Adam Klink is putting out quiet a few.so there a heap of Australian shapers in the sup department needing and wanting to produce quality boards..
I've had 3 custom from local Merimbula surfboard maker Luke Mckill and I am very happy with them. The people who have tried my boards all liked them I am all for supporting the local shapers and you can get what ever you want.
7'10'' x 29 106L
7'3'' x 27 3/4 . 102L
8'8'' x 29 . 120L
There's some nice boards here by the looks of it and some great shapes. Keep the photos coming.Select to expand quoteMickChard said..
There's a few guys in torquay making there own sups now and they all surf really good ... From speaking to them the don't last as long as a pop out and only bout 12 months .. And there just glassing them like normal surfboards too ...
Smik s are designed here too ...His shapes are on fire atm
My Surefire is at least 3 years old and is still in great condition, I think the longevity of boards is based on the construction layup and materials used. This comes down to the shaper/brand knowing how to construct the boards to make them light and strong, and is much different to a standard surfboard glassing.
I think in time more and more people will move to customs when their surfing progresses to a point where a stock dimension board just doesn't cut it, and also customs allow you some colour options etc too to make your board more personal.
Select to expand quotezoolanderZ said..
There's some nice boards here by the looks of it and some great shapes. Keep the photos coming.MickChard said..
There's a few guys in torquay making there own sups now and they all surf really good ... From speaking to them the don't last as long as a pop out and only bout 12 months .. And there just glassing them like normal surfboards too ...
Smik s are designed here too ...His shapes are on fire atm
My Surefire is at least 3 years old and is still in great condition, I think the longevity of boards is based on the construction layup and materials used. This comes down to the shaper/brand knowing how to construct the boards to make them light and strong, and is much different to a standard surfboard glassing.
I think in time more and more people will move to customs when their surfing progresses to a point where a stock dimension board just doesn't cut it, and also customs allow you some colour options etc too to make your board more personal.
Couldn't agree more Derek,
None of the big brand names were making quite what I wanted, which led me to Surefire. And as you said, I was able to have the colour scheme I wanted. Win Win
