Roland Hybrid 7'4" Surfboard

by Bill
(Redond Beach)

I have ridden a board shaped by Roland (a local shaper in Redondo Beach) for seven or eight years. It's a 7'4" hybrid tri-fin, and is pretty thick. It’s red along the rails, and white in the center. I remember it being relatively inexpensive ($325?). I really like having a locally shaped board, rather than one from one of the big manufacturers.

It's particularly good for smaller waves - much better than my other thinner board when the surf is less than about 3'. The board is very stable, and good for beginners. I’ve used it to help several people get started surfing, although it’s a little big for small people to duck dive.

In the last couple years the deck has partially delaminated, but that’s my own fault for leaving it out in the sun too much. The fiberglass is cracked on the tail, too – again, my fault for setting it down on concrete too many times.

All in all, though, it’s been a real battle-axe over almost a decade. I hit my head on it once - $30 to get the board fixed, and $135 to get my head fixed (no health insurance at the time :( ). I still like it better than my faster and more expensive board; it's like an old dog now - maybe not as responsive as it used to be, but I'm not going to trade it in. Overall, a really good board – inexpensive and well made. Support local shapers! -Bill