Hey Drewsta I hope you dont mind me answering your Questions here I got a pm from Drewsta asking about Rods boards, surfshapes and as I was about to post after giving his paddle a good work out thought I would kill 2 birds with one stone.

I have still only had the one session on the new 8 6" surfshape board, so it would not be a real fair and honest "review" If I said much more about It just yet I did have a good surf this morning with Robdog but I used the 9 6" as I thought the conditions would be blown out crap, but it turned out to be good fun waves and I only had the 9 6" with me.
Answering your questions though mate, I can say, yes the board has an excellent, superb quality finish, It is way lighter than the 9 6" naish , and It floated my fat ass 103kg no-problems. It was very stable and paddled well, Im sure Rod could make you an awesome 9 6" that would float you no worries, would not hesitate to recommend a board from him, just give him plenty of notice as you may be waiting cause I think he gets mega busy.

Surfshapes paddle. Today for the first time Robdog and I gave the paddle a good thrashing and we both alternated between the Kialo methane and the surfshape. This is an excellent paddle (pics in review section) at first I thought the handle looked a bit weird and funky, The handle works great and fits beautiful in the palm of your hand and makes for real quick feeling for which way the paddle should be after wiping out. It felt lighter than the methane, but I just weighed them and they were exactly same at around 590grams. I definately got more forward power out of the surfs shape, I found I was able to paddle harder for waves than the methane. I love the methane, but found the surfshape one better I have now given the methane to my wife and will be using the surfshape one as my main paddle in the surf, If you get a chance to check one out, go for it an excellent paddle

Rod, how much are your paddles, and does that include freight?

In answer to rodriguez and everyone about the paddles I design. It is more of a design challenge for me. I don't sell them commercially, I'm not a paddle manufacturer, I am a semi retired board maker.

I post stuff cause I think it is interesting and maybe you think it is interesting. I am stoked that the paddles are going good for the people that have them. The only way to get a paddle off me is as a board package, that way they can be fine tuned to the rider.

By posting my ideas maybe we can get the big companies to be a little bit more creative with their products and maybe we'll all learn something.

I have been thru the short board revolution, the Goat boat revolution, the longboard revival, the windsurfing revolution, the kite board revolution and here we are now with SUPA boards, I have caught a lot of waves and made thousands of boards covering all the board riding disciplines.

Rod

One thing for sure I can see Rod has learnt............Boards over 9 foot don't turn good.

Do you still make short boards Rod?

this is it