Degree 33 Surfboards Review: Epic Boards or Rip Off? [2023]

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?

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. 

Degree 33 Longboards

• Longboard Lineup:
  • Traditional Poly
  • Standard Epoxy
  • Soft Top Epoxy

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)

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 something that is more mobile – a fun combination of both worlds. This blending results in a shorter, or narrower, or thinner surfboard. 

Degree33 fun shape and hybrid surfboards are intended to smooth the path towards performance surfing. The Easy Rider is their large fish that is ideal for surfers transitioning from mid-length sticks. The Weapon was born out of a surfer who is unwilling to give up high-performance despite the crumbly situations. 

The Over Easy is Bill Minard’s finishing move to the modern shortboard. It is meant for building swell since it brings a huge advantage to surfers who want to out-paddle the pack and handle the best waves of the set. 

Degree 33 Fish/Groveler

• Fish/Groveler Lineup: 
  • Modern Retro Fish (The Codfather)
  • Retro Fish (The Keelfather)
  • Performance Groveler (The Bullet)
  • Alternative Craft (The Cloud)

Fish and groveler shapes are best for intermediate to advanced riders who are looking to get the most out of turns and speed on small to medium-sized swells, especially when the conditions are questionable. Shortboards can only get too far, like in gutless situations. 

These shapes are for anyone who needs daily grind in the water. To have a variety of choices to use to bust that slump of an average wave. Typical everyday waves are a struggle with shortboards. Fish and groveler’s rounder template, softer rails, and low rocker let the surfer plane and skate through the mush without sacrificing speed. 

All about bringing performance, these shapes can sure take waves that are less ideal to surf on in their own ways. The Codfather has a fuller outline that makes it easy to get into anything. The Keelfather brings speed and flows with its hardware in the tail that lessens the drag and boosts speed. 

The Bullet gets in before the rest of the lineup comes in thanks to its fishy outline, with width pulled in just to streamline the rail curve. And, the Cloud glides flawlessly with its minor tail flip, added hip and the squared-off rails. 

Degree 33 Shortboards

• Shortboards Lineup:
  • Daily Driver (The All-Terrain Vehicle)
  • Utility (The Weapon)

Perhaps, no board shape is as provoking and time-consuming to figure out than shortboard. They are slim, pointed, and twitchy. They are aggressive and they make intermediate surfing the lengthiest path between rest stops. 

But, once you sorted out how you rate yourself as a surfer plus you have the best conditions to surf, shortboards will make you wonder why you never shortboard-ed before. 

Degree33 Surfboard’s shortboards are all designed for speed, agility, and vertical surfing. The All-Terrain Vehicle is what you need to ride if you are looking to act in a variety of conditions and on different wave shapes. The Weapon, on the other hand, can take on anything from knee-high to overhead. This is what you can consider adding on your quiver when optimal versatility is crucial 

Conclusion

Just like most successful surfboard makers, what makes Degree33 Surfboards promising is the fact that the surfboards they market are built by lifelong surfers for surfers. Giving them exactly the best ideas to incorporate on every surfboard they release. 

No matter what types of waves you will be riding, the body physique you have, and your level of expertise, Degree33 Surfboards have just the right stick for you. 

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