Attention all surfers: Custom surfboards and repair

Recreation Sports
1


09-29-2011 Update

Master Hsieh no longer makes or repairs surfboards. He has turned his attention toward the import and supply of surfboard materials from China and Australia. He has given me the name and contact information of a Mr. Tsai who has now taken over the manufacturing process. Here is Mr. Tsai’s contact information.

衝浪家
台中市烏日區溪南路二段68巷378號
04-2335-0180
蔡 先生 0926-136-646

I spoke with Mr. Tsai this afternoon. He offers the services of making custom surfboards and repairing surfboards. Unfortunately, he doesn’t currently have a website and I haven’t been to his place of business to inspect his operation. If anyone goes, please take some pictures, get a business card and PM me with details as to his abilities.

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My fellow surfers,

I have been surfing in Taiwan since I first arrived in 2000. In the past few years we’ve had a super influx of noob surfers in all of our lineups who fail to yield right of wave, dropping in, snaking, etc. Mostly out of ignorance, lack of training and experience than intentional malice. However, after being crashed into numerous times over the past couple years, my beautiful classic longboard looked like it had more duct tape on it than fiberglass. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find anybody with the skills necessary to repair my board beyond simple patching and to my satisfaction, until now. I recently found a master surfboard shaper and repairman living in Tai-Chong. He’s been making surfboards for the past 28 years, but since surfing has only really become popular in Taiwan over the past 5 years or so, most all of his creations have been exported overseas to his main customers in Japan and Australia. He repaired my board within one week and I’m not exagerating when I say the board really does look almost brand new. The man is truly an artisan when it comes to making and repairing surfboards. I was so impressed with his abilities that I decided to share him with all of you, too. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce Master Hsieh to you.



Blanks Storage - He has traditional urethane foam, Polyurethane (PU), and epoxy blanks for all your needs

Cutting Room - Where he cuts the basic design of the boards

Main Shaping Room - Detailed shaping takes place here


Fiberglass & Epoxy Room - Boards are wrapped in fiberglass or covered in epoxy and left to dry


Buffing & Polishing Room - Final touches on the boards before they hit the showroom

The Showroom - The final products of his artistry - He made every board in his shop

Master Hsieh is at your service - Whether you want to purchase one of his original creations off his rack, or give him your own personal design, or just repair your beloved board like I did, no job is too big or too small for Master Hsieh. This guy is the bomb! However, you better have your Chinese or Taiwanese skills up to par or take a native speaker with you because his English is nada! As for myself, I am currently working on designing my own personalized Northcoast Surfer board complete with custom logo on it. I’m hoping to get the design and specifications finished in time to be able to show off my new board this summer! See you in the line up, oh yeah, and please don’t crash into my board!

2

Thanks man!! :notworthy:

3

He does epoxy too, cool.

4

Available at your surfshop.
That should do your deal.

5

Thanks dude,

Not a big fan of surfing anyway, but will come in handy one day.

Cheers.

6

cheers for the info bruddah!!!
I remember visiting a “Tsunami boards” surfboard factory in Taichung,back in 2001, then heard years later it had moved to China.
Maybe this is the same place?
Stoked to go get a board shaped now!

7

thanks for the link. Even though I don’t surf I am sure it’ll be helpful in the future…

8

I’m heartbroken over a deep ding on the tail of my board. I’ve never had to repair a board before and I don’t know where to start.

I couldn’t connect to this man’s website. Is the business still open in Taichung? I don’t speak enough Chinese to try the numbers but if I know this guy is still in town then I’ll give it a try.

Can you suggest another place to do repairs? Can any surf shops do it? I live in Taichung but I often travel to Yilan. I appreciate any help!

9

I have also tried to call and locate this place, but no dice.
However, a Taiwanese friend down in Kenting shapes boards and I asked where he does all this and he said in Taichung.
He comes up once in a while to shape and then lets the factory do all the glassing. I asked if I could go meet him there, and he said
its not allowed. I’m guessing its an OEM factory with certain rules. However, I still plan to get the address somehow and snoop out the factory for myself then knock on the door.
Once I do, I post it for y’all.
redneyrude
p.s. try some research online and fix the ding urself, its way easier than it seems.

10

[quote=“redneyrude”]I have also tried to call and locate this place, but no dice.
However, a Taiwanese friend down in Kending shapes boards and I asked where he does all this and he said in Taichung.
He comes up once in a while to shape and then lets the factory do all the glassing. I asked if I could go meet him there, and he said
its not allowed. I’m guessing its an OEM factory with certain rules. However, I still plan to get the address somehow and snoop out the factory for myself then knock on the door.
Once I do, I post it for y’all.
redneyrude
p.s. try some research online and fix the ding urself, its way easier than it seems.[/quote]

It’s either that or he doesn’t actually do any custom work, but just does the business part of it.

I know several people like this in Taiwan, including someone who claims to be a saxophone maker but in reality designs it then farms the work to a factory in China. I guess some people want the honor of being good with one’s hand but doesn’t want to earn the chops.