MEET THE RIDER

A Special Board for a Veteran Surfer Turning 60!
This custom board was shaped for a veteran shortboarder with 45 years of surfing experience,
created to celebrate his Kanreki (60th birthday), a major milestone.

The request was simple: “A board that’s truly fun in small waves.”
Instead of a shortboard, we selected a 7’0” mid-length, prioritizing easy paddling and strong takeoff performance.

WHAT WE BUILT

THE DESIGN STORY

Bottom Design Optimized for Small Waves

The bottom is shaped slightly flat to generate speed and glide in weaker conditions.
Toward the tail, a subtle V panel was added to smooth water flow and balance acceleration with control.

Outline Balancing Stability and Flow

A round pin tail was chosen to provide stability while allowing smooth, extended turns.
The nose features a gently curved narrow outline, bringing the board closer to a shortboard feel while maintaining mid-length versatility.

Rails and Fin Setup for Versatility

The rails begin as soft down rails and gradually sharpen toward the tail, enhancing maneuverability and precision without losing forgiveness.

A 5-fin multi-plug setup allows the board to adapt to a wide range of conditions.
In small waves, it can be ridden as a quad; in larger surf, as a thruster.
Adding two rear fins further increases speed potential.

A Personal Touch in the Finishing

As the owner is a passionate Hanshin Tigers fan (Japanese baseball team), the board was finished using the team’s iconic colors as a personal tribute.

Designed to support a surfer entering his 60s, this board is built to perform from small, playful waves to more powerful conditions—a reliable companion for many more years of surfing ahead.

WHY IT WORKS FOR HIM

"I’m a shortboard rider with 45 years of experience. I’ve mostly ridden high-performance, sharp boards, but depending on the waves, there are days when they’re simply not that fun. This board is for those moments.
By going with a mid-length, I can take off much deeper in the wave, and by adding a bit of weight, it delivers strong drive and forward momentum regardless of wave size or surface conditions.

I used to be obsessed with ultra-light boards, but surfing works with gravity, so having a certain amount of weight actually helps generate speed.
If I had to travel with just one board, this would without a doubt be the one!"

WANT TO ORDER YOUR BOARD?

Every T-REEF board is 100% hand-shaped to match your surf, your body, and your goals.
→ Learn more about our custom board process