Degree 33 Surfboards Review: Epic Boards or Rip Off?
The list of surfboard brands that you can choose from goes on and on and on. There is almost no end to the variety of surfboard shapes, designs, and technology. The idea that most of the surfboards in the market now have been shaped by surfers themselves leaves you to not wonder that in another month or so, a new shape of the surfboard will come up with new technology. The wide range of surfboards makes it difficult to choose what is best for your next trip. Is it the pro-surfboard that the champion used on his winning ride? Or the cheap-priced-can-very-well-take-a-beating surfboard being sold by the coastlines? In this write-up, we’re introducing a brand that is starting to have its name buzz around the surfing community – Degree33 Surfboards. Who Is Behind Degree33 Surfboards? The Degree 33 Crew – Trevor, Darcy, Michael, Matt and Bryan are all seasoned surfers who run the company day to day. Their master shaper Bill Minard designs all Degree 33 surfboards, it is worth mentioning he has been shaping for 52 years in San Diego. Together the Degree 33 team operates the growing brand that started in 2006 with nothing but a goal of doing nothing more than creating a part-time income selling surfboards on Craigslist. Their designs and reputation have improved significantly through the years, so much so that the brand has evolved into a market leader for quality, value and board design. It didn’t take too long when the apartment floor they were on became filled with surfboards everywhere. It went as bad as having to decide whether they should sell the very table they were eating dinner on to make more room for more surfboards. In a 1-bedroom apartment, they housed 97 surfboards. You will see sticks in the bedroom, loft, hallway, living room, kitchen, and even the bathroom. This is how a situation can get when the only goal was to sell surfboards. The philosophy goes too low at “stack ‘em deep and sell ‘em cheap.” Eventually, this practice got back at them. The unintended consequences were businesses created that were disconnected from those who went before them. They created more enemies in the business than allies. Admittedly, they jumped into the surfing industry without seriously considering the surf culture that comes with it. After long battles here and there, time bought them a better understanding of the business. 14 years later, Degree33’s evolution is quite evident. They have gone from marketing generic boards with little to no consideration to shape and design to collaborating with the local shaper to update, refine, and design their shapes. Working with Bill Minard, a San Diego master shaper since 1973, produced them surfboard designs that feel just right under your feet. Degree33 Surfboard Shapes Degree33’s lineup is simple. They made sure they have a shape for every purpose, a stick for every rider. Their array of surfboards include longboard, log, noserider, fun shape, fish, egg, groveler, and hybrid. And, we are tackling each of these shapes, what they are designed to do and who they are built for. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will have a better picture of the Degree33 surfboard you are taking on your next trip. Degree33 Surfboards Available Construction Traditional Poly Standard Epoxy Soft Top Epoxy Flex 4 out of 5 2 out of 5 2 out of 5 Buoyancy 3 out of 5 4 out of 5 4 out of 5 Durability 2 out of 5 4 out of 5 4 out of 5 Cost 4 out of 5 2 out of 5 2 out of 5 Degree 33 Longboards Longboard Lineup: Traditional Poly Standard Epoxy Soft Top Epoxy Height and Weight Reference 5’0″ to 5’6″ 5’7 to 6’0″ 6’1″ to 6’4″ 6’5″ + 100 to 140 lbs 8′ or 8’6 8’6″ or 9 8’6″ or 9 9′ or 9’6″ 140 to 170 lbs 8′ or 8’6 8’6″ or 9 9′ or 9’6″ 9′ or 9’6″ 170 to 200 lbs 8’6″ or 9 9′ or 9’6″ 9′ or 9’6″ 9’6″ or 10′ 200 to 230 lbs 8’6″ or 9 9’6″ or 10′ 9’6″ or 10′ 10′ 230+ 9’6″ or 10′ 9’6″ or 10′ 10′ 10′ Degre33’s lineup for longboard includes their flagship, “The Ultimate” that lives up to its name with its distinct power to combine a variety of elements of a fantastic longboard rolled into one perfect make. Each is designed for versatility blending with stability that every new surfer needs, not forgetting the responsiveness beginners demand. Their longboards have more prominent entry rocker over traditional longboards. They can handle very well in larger surf at the same time helping the rider to avoid digging the nose. Paddle fast and get the good lift with its flat through the belly with double concave. Degree33 recommends their longboards for beginners (and larger surfers) to have in their quiver. Not that beginners should always start with longboards, but because with longboarding, the skill starts from beginner to expert. Degree 33 Fun Shape/Funboard/Hybrids Fun Shape/Funboard/Hybrid Lineup: Egg (The Poacher) Speed Egg (The Over Easy) Utility (The Weapon) Beginner Fish (The Easy Rider) Height and Weight Reference 5’0″ to 5’6″ 5’7 to 6’0″ 6’1″ to 6’4″ 6’5″ + 100 to 140 lbs 6’6″ 6’6″ 6’6″ or 6’10” 6’6″ – 6’10” or 7’2″ 140 to 170 lbs 6’6″ 6’6″ 6’6″ or 6’10” 6’6″ – 6’10” or 7’2″ 170 to 200 lbs 6’6″ or 6’10” 6’6″ – 6’10” or 7’2″ 6’6″ – 6’10” or 7’2″ 6’10” or 7’2″ 200 to 230 lbs 6’10” or 7’2″ 6’10” or 7’2″ 6’10” or 7’2″ 7’2″ 230+ 6’10” or 7’2″ 7’2″ 7’2″ 7’2″ Learning progression in surfing is one of the most exciting things about the sport. Along with this progression is the transition from a full-sized longboard to a rather more nimbler, but less intimidating surfboard without losing the advantages of the buoyant and stable longboard. Surfboard shapes carry a lot of characteristics from longboards and pack them into … Read more