Probably gonna get red thumbed big time but I don't care.
Back in the windsurfing day Mr Hocker was quite well known for copying and using other shapers designs, rockers etc for windsurf boards.
In fact several of us caught him using a straight edge on our boards bottom configurations. Never were as fast as or were as good, my opinion.
Im glad you blokes have received great boards and its good to see Rod manufacturing new SUP shapes and getting into it.
Well done to keep going in a new industry, takes guts.

Hey warwickl,

What styles of boards did u get off rod? And what size?

Cheers in advance

Yes,unfortunately Rod is known for not delivering a board on time or in extreme cases not at all.
But,when he does deliver, the board works and a pleasure to surf.
I've had 6 boards off Rod (all gems) and yes I've had to wait for a few, long enough to go and buy big name shop brands at triple the price.
When Rod delivers a board I find that expensive shop brand board sits in the garage un used and depreciates in value.
He's been shaping a long time. Long enough to get a mention in Tommy Carrolls book. Tom writes that Rods board was one of the best he ever had.
He is passionate in shaping and semi retired, just unfortunate he lacks business skills.
If you are prepared to wait you will receive a board that will be a goto board every time you go supping

smiitty said...
Yes,unfortunately Rod is known for not delivering a board on time or in [edit] many cases not at all.

All that needed to be said.

colas said..

ka43 said..
Back in the windsurfing day Mr Hocker was quite well known for copying and using other shapers designs, rockers etc for windsurf boards.

I don't know Rod, but it seems to me that all shapers copy... that's how you learn to shape, there is no shaping university.

Actually, you can say that it is the basics of good craftsmanship: learn from your peers.
Myself, in my field: computer programming, my best lessons have been (and still are) looking at other programmers code (and source if available).

I agree. any shaper who says all his designs are his ideas is a liar

gotta agree smitty,easily the most innovative shaper in oz,ive said it before,well worth the wait if there is one,usually delivered on time and always great boards

Rod's boards are good, I have one on loan at the moment from a mate. I also had an aku design sent to me within a week after paying a deposit, which was 12 months ago. I was also stoked with that, but...

...how long is reasonable to wait for a custom after receiving a due date after already waiting 6 months?
...4 weeks?
...2 months?
...6 months?!

At what stage after countless attempts at contacting a shaper do you realise that you'll never receive your board or your deposit back?

Even if your long-awaited board arrives (after giving up hope 6 months ago) but in the meantime you found out that countless others have lost their deposits without receiving either a board or refund...would you still be stoked and promote the shaper?

Just asking...

I got a board off rod last year. Flicked him a few emails first, then went to his shaping bay and spoke in detail, he sent me a quote that night. Paid a deposit the next day and 6 weeks later I picked up the board and a new paddle off him and was totally stoked. Board is still in great condition. He is a really nice guy and is very passionate about surf sup board design. Can't say a bad word about him

I already thought a board with a pointy end, and a slightly less pointy end was the best way....... promise!



PS Gotta respect what shapers do refining shapes, but come on, to say it's all your unique idea?????

You cant polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter. It doesn't matter how nice a guy he is or how good his boards are this guy has been filling this forum with complaints as long as I have been following it.

JonathanC said..



$1400 down the drain (from way back in 2010 or 2011), no boards, broken promises, no refund. I've never mentioned it before online, but just don't want other people to experience the frustration and what ultimately amounts to theft. I'm sure he doesn't consider himself a crook but his behaviour speaks for itself. The thing that really blows my mind is that he posts on SeaBreeze knowing that he has screwed so many of the people using the forum.

Because my mum used to say "David, if you can't say anything good don't say anything at all" I've been very quiet about all this..

Jonathan is a very good friend of mine and I remember the day he ordered and paid money up front.. (about 5 years ago)

Dozens of times over the years since then I've asked how the whole thing is going.. and I have to just shake my head in disbelief..

If anyone has paid Rod some money and not received the goods , please send me a PM with all the details. I'll go and pay him a visit to get this sorted once and for all.

Thanks for the PM's , already made contact with Rod through another Breezer & the wheels are turning in the right direction. Just to get things straight I not going in with a big stick just as a mediator to try and get a resolution. I'm not chasing refunds just trying to get the promised product out at some stage. I'd prefer if this thread just dropped down off the page and let me sort it out privately. I will PM all concerned with updates.

Well done & well said Piros. Great to have people like you to put an end to all the heartaches & frustrations. It makes my issues with online board shops sound very minor.

Feeling very sorry for you guys that got inconvenienced. No one should have to experience that crap!

I would rather have bought local but got a far better deal from another state that far out weighed the addition of delivery charges.

Mine were board imperfections & some items not sent!!! Like board bag, fins & wrong type of paddle!!! Lol!! But hey. I got the big apologies & they rectified the problems with a bonus like extra fins, top quality board bag & paddle blade protection. All sent within delivery times. They were great & yes I would buy from them again.

So big thanks to any business & shapers that show some care.

Sounds like this Shaper has bitten off more than he can chew! And until he can rectify his problems. DONT BUY!!! There are other shapers out there. And it is you the customer that has to learn exactly what sort of board you need to communicate this through to your shaper. Hopefully he will be local to be shirt fronted too! Lol!!!!!!!