After a delay of a few weeks, I was finally able to pick up my first-ever surfboard this morning:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5CvA_gPRXjojnXOE2afPMTTTEpU5oZ9aSlAADo8ywTPVYMqXCpqoJT6itYbw2C2KWBKozjbNZCsXcH1DecmgHSfj7mcM4Kz-GoeNrw-zUosete-fXEYB6w71MjO3dEm7Kt-glOhpRO0F/s320/P1020764.jpg)
It's a Craig Hollingsworth shaped 9' longboard. This one was crafted with a beginner in mind and is also a board that I should be able to use for a very long time. Putting it in bike terms, he called it a cruiser. Something fun yet slow that everyone should have in their stable. Waaay back at the end of May, I uploaded
this original surf post. Over the summer, I was fortunate to be able to use Craig's personal longboard while mine waited in the queue.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdKhw8KSZwm19ADBTCLZ8TLkfCkZV8P6wCedPRd2P3UzTqRzj9m6ksQW8ffZabX1nYunAopmiF_VTljtiNFPI2zydhoOe4AwH_NJbNMyRXEuJ1ljC-TzcphHE8UNmNj3gqhBY1vqt4lxt/s320/P1020765.jpg)
Well, this one is even better. Prettier as far as I am concerned, but then again, I was able to pick every aspect. Including the triple stringers shown above.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuydfScp9lwm8vcK8TPllAOH8KH20USlRFOjgNa3GPvg2ekDkwamRdNoVnVmFOk6Ow0TAKW8nF4wy7QNxQmMZP77PPdgCjK_5yiuq29l-keGvgVVbUbGrMt2sVx6GxHSrgVGP5VEiW4n_/s320/P1020766.jpg)
Since Craig shapes for
Hansen, among others, I was able to select this storied mark for my personal board. I just love the classic logo and overall aesthetic of the board. I think "Master" is short for Master of Disaster. If not, it should be.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5uJJiZeh0uEkuE4e7W6GNnhfp3iDXtAfL82hv1oyduwkBKTLPn9lOQiOw9bkNbk8K3iyD-ooh9preDJmDppq-xtZXURXEdeX2DKUb6bB-MYh0l-gli2SMnRUjeuz_5JSXEw0q4-PUu3A/s320/P1020768.jpg)
And while the shade of green isn't *exactly* what I had in mind - I had requested forest green, It's still a beautiful shade. Kind of reminds me of my favorite lake...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherr39lHtBf6ZyPj62B4dLe5cXztkl4LBnl-Yq9GeFxcUPsj20yCukMrcVZGaN_b_TCwPcPzQ2l737Ymcxuj8fhrQZbHr7C8mGGBGsCWsvgYSRv6T8QXBFB5ii8asRzvSVujp3qz0gbXmw/s320/P1020767.jpg)
Nice pinstripe work, hand-painted in Oceanside by a skilled craftsman who cares.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjS4seZ_-qE5eHKPFmkS8aGx0tWJSqLt9gT0m_zacmow1t33YpvNVAipXo7-AdcKucFvDwtWL3_PbNll04fowcHR-Z27q9uI5v8eDb_6L_of6CwGCxkv_5riCu_GRZMY_m8cr2_NdaSQFd/s320/P1020770.jpg)
Hopefully the fins keep me up as well as allow me to turn. Actually I rode the board this afternoon at the Oceanside pier. Success - I was able to get up every time I tried. Count that up to a board with more rocker and buoyancy than the board I had borrowed all summer. That and a relatively mild day with 2-3 footers. A kook has to start somewhere...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IgEmHd1RMPdb7fTBZj4d2SGL4YqVKjM6ZaHfMX5_jQRaQgUSGNaizPaHZ8yphjmMKlkV2UFrobB5_PCA79rx-ns3QUW5bcTUJuqCZPRr3mbywyVP2X2UMJn52h9u2dYPghrcyl8XzQk2/s320/P1020769.jpg)
Signed by the artist.