Custom Hollow Wooden Surfboards
Our boards are one-of-a-kind, surfable works of art. If you would like a custom board made to your specs, please contact David Dennis at craftspeople@ventanasurfboards.com or +1-831-915-4326.
- Ventana hollow wooden custom surfboards start at $8000.
Our method of building hollow wooden surfboards is a synthesis of traditional design and modern techniques, materials, and knowledge. We only build boards that are surfable and perform well. Even if our boards live out their lives adorning the walls of collectors, they instill the experience of surfing adventures in everyone who sees them.
Read frequently asked questions about our wooden boards
History of Hollow Wooden Surfboards
Hollow wooden surfboards were first built by a surfer/paddler named Tom Blake in the 1930’s. The boards built then were revolutionary in that they combined nautical, aerospace and surfing knowledge to build lighter paddleboards. Once foam surfboards hit the market in the late 1950’s wooden boards became almost obsolete. Foam was lighter, cheaper, faster to produce and shape, and less care was needed. Wooden boards almost disappeared. In recent times, the resurgence towards craftsman building methods and the quest for alternative surf craft has re-inspired many to look at wooden surfboards as a viable option.
Custom Boards
Customization options vary greatly. Starting with the design, you can choose either a shape that we've built before or we can design a custom shape for you. From there you can select the look of the deck, wood type, fin setups, leash and vent plug options, and inlays. We can even incorporate objects and wood pieces with special meaning to you.
Each board comes with a special edition of our standard Save-a-Surf Wax Box. This version is engraved with includes two vent plug screws for your new surfboard!
Wood Types
Most of the wood we use in surfboard production is recycled or reclaimed in some way...salvaged decks, floor boards, wall studs or off-cuts from cabinet shop production. Redwood is one of our favorites due to its beauty and style. All of the old buildings here in Santa Cruz were built of redwood, most of it beautiful heart wood free from knots or defects. The old lumber is often old growth that was cut from 1000+ year old trees, yielding dark, rich colors with straight and tight grains. Lumber like this hasn't been available as "new" lumber for many years, and the new growth just doesn't compare. Along with availability, redwood is great to use because of its lightness, resistance to rot and insects and the joy of working with it. Other common woods we like to use are Douglas fir, cedar, pine, and ash, all species that are locally grown and often discarded. You never know what you can find in scrap wood, most people don't understand the value of what gets thrown out. We like to send it surfing.
Fin Types
You can choose any fin setup that you like. Usually, our fins are glassed directly onto the board, but it is possible to install fin boxes, so you have more flexibility in your fin setup.
Inlays
We have always enjoyed inlaying different things into boards. We've used abalone, shells, urchins, found jade stones, brass and wood. Often, we will fill knot holes of tail blocks with small items we have collected from around the world. These little touches really finish off the boards, and we're always interested in trying new things.
Leash & Vent Plug
All hollow boards require a vent plug to allow the air pressure inside the board to equalize. A board in warm weather going into cold water will have negative pressure, whereas a cold board left in the sun will build high pressure. Without a vent plug the boards would be unable to breathe which could lead to failure of the structure. Don't be afraid, it's easy! The plugs are simple thumb screws that need to be tightened right before going in the water and opened as you leave to allow pressure to adjust. We often combine the leash plug and vent plug into one unit, but they can also be separated.
Pricing
Custom Ventana surfboards are priced starting at $8000. Size, design, required delivery date, and the provenance of the materials all impact the price, but the price you're quoted is the price you'll pay. A 50% deposit is required for us to get started on your custom Ventana surfboard.
Read frequently asked questions about our wooden boards.
We can create any style or size of surfboard or paddleboard. Below are a few examples.
4'10" Grom board
4'10" x 17.5" x 2"
Approx. 8 pounds
Mostly a wall hanging shape, this board was designed for small surfers and up-and-coming shredders who want a wooden surfboard. Generally, this shape features glass-on fins due to the thinness of the tail. A great "mini" version of a 6' Thruster.
5'10" Disc / 7' Disc
5'10" x 21" x 2 5/8" and up
Approx. 12 pounds / 14 pounds
This little disc shape has style and class. We build them in both the 5'10" pintail, 5'10" squash tail, and a 7' pintail version, and they seem to appeal to everyone. The wide point is slightly forward with a round nose. We've mostly surfed this shape in larger surf, and it is a little rocket. It's very responsive and likes quick turns and down-the-line speed. This board is usually set up as a single fin with the fin moved forward so it reacts quickly. We've set up the squash tail version with single fins as well as thruster fin boxes.
7'9" "Butter Bomb"
7'9" x 22 1/8" x 2 3/4"
Approx. 15 pounds
Named after a local break that can produce big, rolling swells with steep shoulders and "buttery" take-offs, this board is excellent in big surf. It has plenty of length to produce speed for early drop-ins, with a low tail rocker guiding you into the wave. Set up as a single glass-on fin, this board draws turns with speed and power and is sure to satisfy your needs.
8'2" Classic Cruiser
8' 2 1/2" x 21 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Approx. 16 pounds
This board has is a classic style with a slightly forward wide point and a full-volume nose. It has a great outline and a beautiful shape.
Watch a short, hyper lapse video of a custom Ventana Surfboard being made:
6' Thruster
6' 3/4" x 18 7/8" x 2 3/8"
Approx. 12 pounds
This Thruster is a high-performance shape aimed at surfers looking for the fast, responsive thruster feel with a bit more weight and soul found in a wooden board. This board works well with glass-on fins as well as fin boxes for those looking to travel. This shape has proven to surf well all over the world, as far away as the Mentawai Islands.
6'1" Thruster
6' 1 1/2" x 19" x 2 1/2"
Approx. 12 pounds
This shortboard is a bit of a blend between a high performance shortboard and one with more volume and the width of a "fun board." Usually configured as a thruster or quad, this board lends itself well to smaller days but feels right at home in overhead surf.
9'5" Longboard
9'5" x 22 1/2" x 3"
Approx. 21 pounds
A great longboard cruiser, this shape boasts domed decks, convex bottom, 50/50 rails and a wide tail for fast down-the-line cruising. Not the ideal nose rider, this shape is more suitable for those who enjoy trimming and speed rather than tip-time. A single glass-on or box fin suits this board well.
8'4" SUP
8'4" x 32" x 4 1/2"
Approx. 32 pounds
The first Ventana SUP model is a wide, beautiful shape equally at home on waves or cruising in the bay.
6'6" Single Fin
6'6" x 21 1/8" x 2 1/2"
Approx. 14 pounds
One of our favorite shapes, this board excels in all surfing conditions. Ranging from overhead beach breaks to small point breaks, it surfs like a single fin should. It will give you long, drawn-out turns with plenty of speed throughout.
7' Flying Pig
7' x 21 3/8" x 2 5/8"
Approx. 15 pounds
This mini longboard is a blast! It's 7 feet of pure fun with a single fin, longboard style that has the agility of a much smaller board. Plenty of volume throughout, very low rocker, and a diamond tail make this a unique board to surf.
8'2" Slim Tanker
8'2" x 21 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Approx. 16 pounds
A smaller version of the Tanker, this board was designed around input from a female surfer. The board retains the characteristic outline of the Tanker, but it's shorter, thinner and has less volume. This is a great board for all conditions.
8'4" Tanker
8'4" x 22 1/8" x 3"
Approx. 16 pounds
One of our all-time favorite boards, this short longboard rips! It's wide, it's thick, it's parallel. This shape has brought many people an immense amount of fun. It catches waves like a longboard but is quick to turn and likes nose rides. It represents all the characteristics of a great performing board with an interesting look. They make for an ideal surfboard for performance waves like those in the Santa Cruz, California area.