Choosing a surfboard is a serious business. You want to find something that suits you, your surfing style, and your favorite surf spots best.
They are also an investment, surfboards are not cheap items. But they need to be strong, sturdy, and of good quality, so it’s not surprising that they cost so much.
Degree 33 produces a range of surfboards including softboards that are suitable for all heights, sizes, and abilities. They also make custom boards and have a lot of fun colors, styles, and patterns available. So you definitely won’t be getting anything boring.
But how do they measure up in a practical sense? Are Degree 33 surfboards going to keep you surfing smoothly or crashing into the waves?
Brand History
One of the nice things about Degree 33 is that it was started by a group of people who loved surfing and aimed to just quietly ply their trade and sell surfboards through Craigslist. That was in 2006 when the company was selling simple and generic surfboards.
They have now expanded their team to incorporate expert shapers and designers who are making “kooky” designs that definitely stand out in the market.
But this wasn’t always the case. The brand started small and grew a little faster than it could handle. The team eventually realized that the philosophy of “stack ‘em deep, sell ‘em cheap” was not being appreciated by other brands on the market.
They realized that surfers and fellow designers and creators were people who had a great passion for their boards and the quality of their products.
They finally realized that they needed to switch up their ethos and become a brand that still made great quality products. As well as one that appreciated their place in the market amongst those who had come before them.
The “kooky-ness” is a huge part of the company vibe, and they make an effort to create beautiful and personal products.
An important part of the company style is down to the work of master shaper Bill Minard, who has been working on surfboards for over half a century. Each board is shaped by Minard and is perfectly made by hand.
As mentioned above, buying a surfboard is an investment. But when you buy from a personal brand that has been started by people who simply love surfing and love their boards, you’re investing in a company with a great ethos.
Production Process
With so much expertise and experience, how are these boards made, and what materials does the company swear by? The products are explored in more depth below, but it’s worth saying that there are a wide number of different boards available from Degree 33.
There are boards of different shapes and styles, all of which come in a range of lengths. So there should be something for everyone.
The boards all start off with a similar shape and style. Then they are drawn on with a simple pencil and tape measure, and then cut and sanded down by one man in a small room. The team is made up of only a handful of surfers who are dedicated to their specific ethos and designs.
The production process is very artisan and carefully done. This provides a great sense of care in all of their boards. This also means that, although they have specific lengths and styles for the specific board designs, each board is still unique and individual.
It also means that the boards can be personalized and customized. What started as a handful of people trying to make a quick buck off a hobby has developed into a company which creates their products with a great deal of care and attention.
Products
So, now we know about the company, how do the products themselves measure up? As mentioned above, Degree 33 has a wide range of boards available. These include:
- Longboards
- Shortboards
- Soft Top Surfboards
- Funboards
- Hybrids
- Closeout Boards
- Standup Paddle Boards
- Custom Boards
All of these boards are what you would expect from a much larger company, which makes them very impressive. The boards are all of great quality and are designed to give you the best possible ride.
As mentioned above, these boards have been designed by people with decades of surfing experience, so you know that every board will be as practical as possible.
Within each of these board categories, there are even more specific options. These include, for example, Performance, Nose Rider, and Classic Log longboards.
Classic log boards are best suited to beginners, as are performance longboards (but these can also be used by advanced surfers). The nose rider boards are best suited for more advanced and experienced surfers, as they require more skill and control.
For each type of board, there are even more choices available.
In terms of material, the boards are primarily made from traditional poly, standard epoxy, or soft top epoxy. These vary across the boards as different styles require different materials and shapings.
When choosing your board from the online store, you have a choice between these three materials. So, even for boards that have been pre-designed and made, there is still a level of customization.
This means that every board has been designed, right down to the basic materials, to provide the best possible surfing experience. This also works as a great guide for beginners who might be drawn to any kind of surfboard they can find.
Each board comes with a description of what it does, how it is intended to be used, and what experience level is required to use it.
As well as being practical, these boards also look great. As mentioned before, a sense of self-proclaimed “kooky-ness” is essential to the brand. This comes through in the different styles, colors, and patterns available. Every board has a different pattern and color.
They all have the same chilled out vibe, featuring colors relating to the sea and the beach, such as blues and greens. Other calming colors such as pale pink are included.
Pricing
There is no doubt that these boards are pricey. When compared with many other options available online, it’s possible to find boards that cost half the price. But are they of the same quality in terms of practicality, shaping, originality, and decoration? Not really.
You might be able to find surfboards that are of similar quality available online for less money. But the likelihood that they will have as unique a sense of style as boards from Degree 33 is unlikely.
The chances of them being produced by expert shapers and a small team of dedicated and passionate surfers are even smaller.
That said, these boards might not be the best for complete beginners, primarily due to the price. Many of the boards themselves will be great for beginners in a practical sense. But, the likelihood of a beginner regularly wiping out and potentially damaging or losing their board is higher.
There is also an increased likelihood of them deciding to give it up. If you have been surfing a few times and are looking to buy your own board to take up the hobby regularly, then these boards might be a little expensive.
But, if you have been surfing for a while and feel as though it’s time to upgrade your board, then Degree 33 is a great place to start. They are also a great company for super experienced surfers who want to create a board that is completely their own and sticks to their own style.
Customization is not something that is available from many retailers. Especially not from a small group of dedicated and passionate experts.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Degree 33 is a great brand that makes great quality surfboards. They are also a brand that has an excellent ethos.
They might have started off just trying to make a quick buck from a hobby, but they quickly developed into a company that cares about their customers, their colleagues within the business, and their products.
The main thing that sticks out about Degree 33 is their pricing. When their small team is considered, along with the good quality materials and original designs, the pricing is more understandable.
Especially when you know that an expert shaper with over half a century of experience is making every single board. You know exactly who is making and designing your board, which is a bigger plus in terms of ethical production.
The manufacturing process is completely transparent and available to see on their website. Another great ethical and eco-friendly feature is the option to buy used boards at a reduced price.
This is great for the environment, as well as for people who want a fantastic board, but cannot afford the usual prices.
The products have been designed by people with excellent experience and a dedication to producing great quality boards. There is a unique style to the shape of the boards but also the designs used to decorate them. These are boards that are both practical and stylish.