I’m still chasing the dragon as far as the best board I’ve ever owned is concerned. I sold it a few years back to pay to repair a buddy’s car I messed up backing a jet ski down a boat ramp. Long story. Point is when surfboards do precisely what you want them to do when you want them to do it, the feeling is magic. And not every board is a magic one.
Mine was a Haydenshapes Psychedelic Germ. I remember one time surfing a pretty slow day a left popped up and I went for it. I got speed down the line, squared up a few turns and paddled back out. “Jeez!” said my friend as I approached. An older guy paddled next to me. “Everyone’s heads turned to follow you on that one! Sick!” he said.
Another time, I was surfing this SoCal reef and after a slow roll-in, lined up for a little closeout barrel and got some vision – also making eye contact with a guy paddling over the shoulder. When paddling back out he looked back, smiled, and gave me a “Yeahhhhhhh.”
Surfing isn’t necessarily about outside validation, but those rare times when you get it, it feels good. Both of those moments I mentioned were with that board, and ever since I haven’t been able to find one that fits quite like it.
Tanner Gudauskas understands that feeling better than most, and its ability to take froth levels to the next dimension. More than skateboarding and snowboarding (Ed’s note: some snowboarders might disagree), finding a special surfboard can entirely alter the experience for the better, says Tanner.
