Boards by Design
Custom Surfboards personally shaped by Adrian Phillips

Adrian has many years experience with an impressive record of over 7000 boards hand shaped in both the UK and Australia. A recent Adrenalin Magazine feature article described Adrian as "Specialist in every sort of custom board you can throw at him". He's the type of shaper that is still enthusiastic and knows the importance of talking and listening to customers.

Every board is hand shaped by Adrian and glassed from start to finish in our own factory using only the best materials in the world. All boards are available with your choice of fin system and spray job.

The following descriptions provide a basic guide to our most commonly requested shapes although with custom boards anything is possible and all designs are in a constant state of evolution and refinement. (Photos not to scale)

This cutting edge quad design has to be ridden to be believed, not for everyone but if it suits your style, the low drag bottom contours and resulting continuous speed will blow your mind.

Typical dimensions 5'4 x 18 ¾ - 6'4 x 20

DEMO AVAILABLE

This next generation quad fin board goes so fast it really is mad but can still turn tight & hard without spinning out.


Typical dimensions 5 x 19 ½ - 6'8 x 22

Dismiss this as a retro board at your peril. State of the art concaves, rocker and rails combined with Lokbox custom glass fins make this the ultimate high speed performance board and not just in small waves.


Typical dimensions 5'2 x 20 - 6'4 x 22 ½

This is Toby Donachie’s small wave board. A fish tailed version of his Performer model, this board has flown to victory in many a contest leaving the rest of the field grovelling in the dribble. For waves from knee high to just overhead, it is continually updated and is ideal for anyone from intermediate plus to pro standard to take their surfing to its highest level.

Typical dimensions 5' x 16 ¾ - 6'4 x 19 ½

Super high performance shortboard quad. This board is designed to provide pro level performance even when the waves are a bit lacking. Turbo concaves for acceleration. Quad fin set up for awesome down the line drive and instant direction changes. Rounded pintail for powerful turns with high speed control.

Typical dimensions:- 5’4 x 18 to 6’6 x 19 ¾

This is what the pro's ride. If you aim to progress your surfing to the highest level then a custom version of this design, fine tuned to your style is the way to go. Available as a squash, thumb, diamond or rounded pintail with a thruster or quad fin set up.

Typical dimensions 5'4 x 16 ¾ - 6'8 x 19 ½

This is Toby Donachie’s general use board and took him to his current British Junior Champion Title. It rips in all conditions from waist high to double overhead. It is continually updated and is ideal for anyone from intermediate plus to pro standard to take their surfing to its highest level.

Typical dimensions 5'2 x 16 ¼ - 6'6 x 19

Winning High Performance small wave board from the past. The evolution of this design pretty much stopped in the 80's but still has untapped potential. See our ad in Wavelength issue 190.

Typical dimensions 5'6 x 21 - 6'4 - 22 ½

This is one of the simplest definitions of a fish:- To make your favourite high performance shortboard go faster in smaller waves whilst still doing all the things you like about it, take an inch or two off the length, add up to an inch to the width and add a swallowtail so it’ll still handle some power when needed. Quad or thruster.

Typical dimensions:- 5’2 x 20 ¼ - 6’6 x 20 ½

Amazing high performance board for English waves. It’ll handle the hollow stuff but flies on the average days. Taylor Knox quad fins for super fast acceleration and rocket tail for powerful explosive turns. Demo model available.

Typical dimensions:- 5’11 x 18 ¼ - 6’8 x 20 ½

This is a quad fin version of the swallowtail flyer and it has all the same characteristics but with the four fin set up it is especially good as a do everything board for the slower moving waves with less steep faces found in many parts of the UK.

Typical dimensions 5'6 x 18 - 7'6 x 22 ½

This awesome design surfs like a thruster but faster. Amazing projection out of turns, corners like it's on rails! 'Pavel Speed Dialer' fin set up. Bat-tail or Swallowtail.

Typical dimensions 5'2 x 18 - 6'8 x 21

This souped up fish design is a dream solution for so many surfers needs. Small waves, big waves, easy paddling, lively surfing, freedom to progress, intermediate or expert, odd weekends or everyday……….the list goes on. Quad, thruster or both.

Typical dimensions 6’ x 20 - 7’ x 21 ½

Highly versatile design. High performance shortboard with plenty of speed for smaller waves whilst the swallowtail keeps it solid in overhead surf. Mid-length sizes are ideal for heavier surfers and progressing beginner and intermediate surfers.

Typical dimensions 5'6 x 18 - 7'6 x 22 ½

An up to date cross between the ever popular Flying Saucer and the brand new Super Evo. Combines loads of speed and performance turns with easy wave catching and stability. Very good board if you have trouble with foot positioning as you don’t need to get your foot right on the tail to turn. This board is excellent for a wide range of conditions, rider sizes and abilities.

Typical dimensions:  5'4 x 18 ¾ - 6'10 x 21

Featured in Wavelength issue no 134. Wider version of the high performance thruster - possibly the ultimate high performance board for average waves and all abilities including good surfers who don't get in as much as they'd like.

Typical dimensions 5'8 x 19 - 6'8 x 22

Anyone who thinks a bigger board can’t be a high performance board should demo this version of the Evolution Model, it turns on a sixpence, goes like a rocket and catches every wave you look at. Single to double concaves, quad or thruster.

Typical dimensions:- 6’2 x 20 - 6’10 x 21 ½

This is an easy riding high performance thruster design adjusted for a smooth flowing style. Ideal for all abilities in waves from knee high to double overhead.

Typical dimensions 6’ x 19 - 7’6 x 22

DEMO AVAILABLE

Performance all rounder for wide range of waves and abilities. The ultimate 'just one more wave' board. With a single plus side bite [2+1] fin set up this board combines single fin glide with thruster performance.


Typical dimensions 5'8 x 19 - 8'2 x 22

Bigger Guy/Intermediate version of the high performance thruster.

Typical dimensions 6'6 x 20 ½ - 7'6 x 22

This is Toby Donachie’s bigger wave and travel board. As a general use travel board it flies in anything from shoulder high to three times overhead and has been thoroughly tested from Porthleven to Pipeline. It is continually updated and is ideal for anyone from intermediate plus to pro standard to take their surfing to its highest level.

Typical dimensions 5'10 x 17 - 7' x 18 ½

Bigger wave versions of the high performance thruster, longer and narrower usually with a rounded pin, narrow squash or narrow swallow tail.

Typical Dimensions 6'8 x 18 - 9'6 x 20 ½

Although it’s not a longboard this board has an amazing combination of the performance characteristics of both a longboard and a shortboard and has to be ridden to be believed, easy paddling, super fast, wide range of waves, wide range of surfers and the more you ride it, the better it gets. Tri plane double concave hull and 1 + 2 fin set up.

Typical dimensions:- 6’2 x 19 ¼ - 7’4 x 21 ½

This board is designed to flow and glide with the wave and tunes you in to the dreamy 1970's approach to wave riding.

Typical dimensions 6' x 20 - 8' x 22

High Performance version of the 'Hybrid', can be surfed to a very high level and in all wave sizes but also suitable for young learners and intermediates.

Typical Dimensions 5'4 x 19' - 6'8 x 21

Possibly the best all round - do everything board - suits wide range of wave sizes and all abilities.

Typical Dimensions 6'8 x 20 ½ - 8'2 x 23

This is the high performance version of the Magic Carpet. It is basicaly a cross between the Magic Carpet and the Flying Fish and complete with low drag bottom and quad fins is just pure fun to ride.

Typical dimensions 6'4 x 22 - 7'4 x 23

Shortboarder's Longboard or Longboarder's Shortboard. Highly maneuverable mini-nose rider, great fun in most conditions, also suitable for learning.

Typical Dimensions 6'10 x 22 ½ - 7'4 x 23

DEMO AVAILABLE

This three fin version of the Magic Carpet is the ultimate learner/intermediate/loads of fun/keep for ever board. It makes everything go right.

Typical dimensions:- 7’x 21 - 8’ x 22 ½

DEMO AVAILABLE

This classic egg style board is surprisingly high performance and is an excellent board for a progressing intermediate surfer either as a stepping stone to perfect your technique before downsizing to a shortboard or to keep long term as an awesome 'do everything' board.

Typical dimensions 6'6 x 20 ½ - 8'2 x 22 ½

DEMO AVAILABLE

Ideal all round learning board, more
stable version of the Hybrid.

Typical Dimensions 7'2 x 21 ½ - 8'2 x 23

Designed to make the most of a less powerful but more graceful surfing style, generally thinner and narrower. An ideal all round learning board

Typical Dimensions 7'2 x 21 - 8'2 x 22 ½

Amazing mini longboard design. Needs to be ridden to be believed. Suits all abilities. Easy paddling and wave catching, way more manoeuvrable than you’d expect. Demo model available.

Typical dimensions:- 7’ x 21 - 8’6 x 22 ½

DEMO AVAILABLE

Mid range, do everything board. Catch loads of waves, all abilities, all ages, easy to turn, hard to fall off. A real keeper.

Typical dimensions 7’x 21 - 8’6 x 23

DEMO AVAILABLE

If you're not competing you don't need to go to 9' or more to get the benefits of a longboard - fast paddling, easy wave catching, small wave glide and laid back style.

Typical Dimensions 7'2 x 21 ½ - 8'6 x 23

Designed to complement a less powerful but more graceful surfing style, generally thinner and narrower with reduced concave, flowing template and rocker for softer power application and a more graceful approach.

Typical Dimensions 7'2 x 21 - 8'6 x 22 ½

Ultimate high performance Longboard. Modern rails, rockers and outlines provide the control and responsiveness experienced Longboarders demand.

Typical Dimensions 9'1 x 22 ½ - 9'6 x 23

Fluid Juice Ultimate Longboard.

Combining the super easy wave catching and dreamy trim speed of the traditional longboard with the manoeuvrability of a much shorter piece of wave sliding equipment, this is a longboard you’ll never tire of. Combination without compromise. Easy wave catching, stability, forward trim speed, noseriding, carving turns, cutbacks, wide wave size range.

Typical dimensions:  8’ x 21 ½ - 9’6 x 23 ¼

DEMO AVAILABLE

This high performance version of the 7000 series longboard doesn't look anything out of the ordinary until you glide into your first wave and realise there's a lot more under the bonnet.

Typical dimensions 8'6 x 22 ¾ - 9'6 x 23 ½

DEMO AVAILABLE

Combining the high performance longboard with the traditional Californian 60's longboard to provide easy paddling and wave catching, smooth turning, nose rides and the ability to handle a wide range of wave sizes.

Typical Dimensions 9' x 23 - 9'8 x 24

Continuing evolution of the 7000 series.

Typical dimensions 9' x 23 - 10' x 24

This board looked so good as it went through the glassing process that we had to just wax it up and get it in the water before we even thought about taking a photo! To mark our 7000th board this fully up to date ‘traditional longboard’ incorporates design features from over 40 years of surfboard design evolution. It is now part of our demo range and has hardly been out of the water since its first surf. Ideal for all abilities in waves from ankle to chest high.

The ultimate board to make small waves look good! Pretty much straight from the 60's with a few subtle up to date adjustments. This design was actually much more evolved and refined than most people realize, made to extract max fun (wave count, distance, speed, surprising manoeuvrability) in smaller summer style waves. Smooth rocker, nose concave to rolled vee bottom and 50:50 rails.

Typical Dimensions 9' x 23 - 9'8 x 24

Made for the days when everyone says there’s no surf but you’re still determined to enjoy that ‘I’ve been surfing’ feeling. Super low nose rocker provides effortless paddling and instant trim to get you into the wave well before it breaks and plenty of tail rocker not only means really easy turning but in forward trim not only do you get endless nose rides but the low drag fin doesn’t touch the sand until you’re in less than 6” of water.

Typical dimensions 9'6 x 23 and upwards......

DEMO AVAILABLE

Retro Models:- Full range of proven designs from the past incorporating all the relevant design improvements from the present. Available shapes include late 60's twin fins late 70's twin fins, full range of single fins inc stingers, Early 80's thrusters etc. All based on original inventors templates.