About
Merrick's Longboards prides itself on the quality of the boards I build and great customer service. I started building surfboards for myself in 1994-5 as I couldn't get the Traditional boards I wanted. With a background in the Automotive restoration industry since 1988 doing body and paint, I started to make my own, exactly how I wanted them. Initially, I had no intention to build boards for other people, but with repeated requests, I started making customers boards in 2000. I guess the I've lasted through the years with the influx of 'pop outs', mass produced, plastic and epoxy boards flooding Australia is due to one main thing...I offer surfers a totally hand crafted board which will suit their needs, built to a very high standard.
I don't offer a showroom with a hundred different boards in stock or unbeatable low prices. What I do offer surfers, is the choice to build the exact board they want which very few manufacturers can do anymore. I build every board myself, from start to finish.
The thing so many callers say is 'I can get a new Mini Mal for $500 on internet auctions', or 'I can get a new Longboard for $800 on internet auctions, can you match it'. The answer is obviously no and the reason is 'Quality'. These cheap boards are exactly that, 'CHEAP', they're mass produced rubbish and can't come anywhere near my quality of surfboard, whether it be craftsmanship or performance, so how should I be expected to match their price.
A NEW SURFBOARD SHOULD BE SEEN AS AN INVESTMENT. IF YOU BUY A NEW $500 MINI MAL AND IT FALLS APART IN 6-12 MONTHS AND IT'S HORRIBLE TO SURF, THEN IT'S COST YOU $500+ GRIEF FOR 1 YEAR'S USE. IF YOU BUY AN $800+ MINIMAL, LASTS FOR 5 YEARS+ AND IS GREAT TO RIDE, THEN IT OWES YOU $160 PER YEAR NOT INCLUDING THE ENJOYMENT YOU'VE GOT FROM THAT BOARD!! IF YOU STICK TO THIS 'INVESTMENT' FRAME OF MIND WHEN BUYING A NEW SURFBOARD, OR ANY LEISURE PRODUCT FOR THAT MATTER, YOU WILL ALWAYS DO BETTER IN THE LONG RUN. IF YOU DO BUY A HIGH QUALITY BOARD, LOOK AFTER IT, KEEP IT IN GOOD CONDITION, AND SELL IT AFTER 3-4 OR 5 YEARS, YOU'LL EVEN GET 1/2-3/4'S OF THE PRICE BACK AS WELL.
I've always preferred Single fin Longboards, even after trying 3 fin Longboards in the early 90's. I work with different rail shapes, thicknesses, rocker lines and fins to achieve the results the customer wants.
We build every board only using 1st quality surfboard blanks, resins and Aerialite 6oz fiberglass cloth. We put in many hours of work, with attention to detail. My boards were (and still are) only glassed with 6oz cloth. Two layers on the deck and 1 layer underneath. All my boards are finished off with the resin highly polished. Genuine 8oz and 10oz Volan cloth is optional. My Longboards, Mid -lengths and Shortboards are all built the same way, with top quality materials and many hours and attention to detail. I'm self-driven to produce the highest quality workmanship in anything I do. Subsequently, my customers are usually amazed at the quality and performance of the finished product. If a customer has been surfing a 'cheap' board, and then buys a handcrafted board, they will never go back. There is no comparison to the quality or performance and this is what the board will give back to the surfer.
I offer a range of surfboards and styles, from the timeless plain white, Resin tints, pigments, swirls and other extras like timber nose and Tail blocks, Timber fins, Balsa 'D' fins, Resin Pin lines and just about anything else you'd want, I can do. I have a vast array of translucent colours and pigments including Violet, Dark blue, Electric blue, Olive, Greens, Yellows, Reds, Orange, Magenta, Deep Wine, Emerald and many more. All of my Nose and Tail blocks are hand made by myself from solid Australian timbers.
My aim was and still is to craft some of the highest quality Longboards, Shortboards and Mini-Mals available, which will last for many years and be great to ride. I put many hours into each board which is now a rarity.
My goal has always been to build surfboards with one main word in mind, FUN!
Hope you enjoy my site.
Brad Merrick