Joe Blair Surf

When my friend started to stand up paddle board I gave it a try. Well, I was instantly hooked and I knew I had to have a board. My husband is a surfer and referred me to Joe Blair. And I’m so glad that he did. Joe is a wealth of information and experience. I had no clue about which board to purchase– cruising in the harbor or was I going to try catching waves on my SUP. Joe generously loaned me his demo boards– many different types of SUP boards until I found the best fit. I happily ended up with 2 boards– one for cruising and the other for (eventually) catching waves. I go out every chance I get. I love them! The style, color design and performance. Also, they are so much lighter than my friends SUP boards. I am so Happy!

I was looking to get a stand up paddle board that surfed well, and came across Joe researching boards on the web. Joe is absolutely one of the coolest guys I have ever done business with. I told him what I wanted, my ability, and that I was new to paddle surfing, but not to riding longboards. He gave me a mini-​lesson in the shop, lent me a 10’6″ board, and sent me out to the break, telling me to come back when I caught a few waves. After a session, I came and swapped out for a 9’7″ session or 2, then the 8’10″ after a couple more. The 8’10″ was giving me a tough time, but Joe wouldn’t let me buy the 9’7″ — saying for my weight and ability I needed to just tough it out a couple weeks and I’d be happier with the shorter board. I must have paddle surfed 10 sessions, all with him just taking my fist name and phone number in case somebody else needed to ride the board. I agree with Doug S. earlier review — who in the modern world lets you take his boards for a few days with just your phone number?
I ended up buying the 8’10″, and am having a blast. Bottom line is that Joe took the time to get me into what he thought was the right board for me. And he was right, and saved me from buying the wrong board. I am already thinking about trying out some of his fun board surfboard designs in hopes of replacing my log of a longboard.

I ordered a custom board from Joe a few years ago… the specs were kind of unique as I was trying to get a very forgiving board made that would turn and be easy to ride…
Joe built me a 3 ¼ inch thick board that 25″ across and 8 foot plus… it had a perfect rocker… allowing me to ride steeper waves even though the board is on the longish side…
People come up and admire the board for it’s lines and shape… I couldn’t have been happier…
The price was amazing as well…
I will be ordering another board from Joe in the future

There’s a great deal of discussion in surf circles, about whether the industry is losing is soul. Well Joe Blair is old school and represents the passion and soul surfing is all about. But, Joe is also an innovator, on the cutting edge of stand up surfing, and still putting out new design.
i wanted a shorter board for surfing and discovered Joe on some discussion web sites. After talking to Joe a few times, I drove down to Carlsbad to demo a board. After shooting the shit for 30 minutes, Joe gave me three boards, didn’t ask for any contact info on me and sent me surfing. He said when I came back if he wasn’t at his shop he’d be at a restaurant down the road. And, if not there, another place. Who in the modern world gives you three boards without knowing your last name?
When I bought the board, Joe said he’d take it back if I didn’t like. Well, this is board is 8’10″ as stable as a boat, and surfs like a witch. And, I’m 59, 6’3″ and don’t have great balance so that’s saying a lot. I’m up for a new board and will probably get a Blair 8’6″ next.
His prices for Chinese boards are $ 400 to 800 less than the big brands. And, you’re supporting a great guy that’s part of the soul of the industry. And, as much as surfers criticize Chinese pop-​outs, custom boards killing shapers from inhaling foam dust and exposing VOX compounds into the environment. I’m hoping that the Chinese plants have the environmental and worker safety systems they claim to.

I’ve been waiting for tax return to get the custom and I’m a bigger guy 5’11 260. Joe is really patient and will listen while matching your surf style. He even lent me the big guy board 8’10″ Length, 26 Wide, and 4″ Thick. Took it out to a local beach and it was easy to paddle, stable, and the price is right. Definitely going to Joe for my board.

Joe is an amazing shaper of surfboards & stand ups. I mainly go to Joe for stand up boards and his customer service is amazing! Not sure if that’s the right board? Just ask Joe if you can demo one like it — no charge — if he’s got one he just makes a copy of your license and off you go!
Prices are really good for stand ups (several hundred dollars cheaper than lesser boards out there!). Yeah — his production boards are made in China but what isn’t nowadays? That’s how he stays competitive on the volume sales while still being a highly competent shaper if you want to go custom.
Plus he’s just a great guy to talk to — always offering advice on how to improve your technique and elevate yourself to that next level. Don’t have any expectations on his shop though — this ain’t your average retail store. It’s 2 tiny rooms one of which is his shaping room. This isn’t a place you go to in order to buy a wetsuit, leash, or fins… He sells boards and that’s pretty much it. You can go around the corner to Mitch’s to get the peripherals…