Designed and shaped by Bob “Killer” Kilpatrick in Australia, are Ocean Blue Longboards the best-value longboard on the market today?
With your average off-the-rack shortboard costing north of $850, and many custom longboards fetching $2000 or more, I was more than a little surprised at the price of a custom longboard from Ocean Blue Longboards.
Just $699 for a plain white model, up to only $850 for a custom resin tint with high gloss finish. (2018 prices.)
But obviously price is only one factor in choosing a board. Quality, craftsmanship, design, and cool-factor all play a role. And most important: how does it ride?
I’ve been riding a Killer 9’4″ for the past couple of months and the short answer is…
It has fast become my favourite board. (And I normally ride a short board!) Mine is a custom 9’4″ x 22 1/2″ x 3″ with purple resin tint, a double redwood stringer, rounded pin tail, and a 2+1 fin set-up that I ride as a single.
Design
This board is a work of art. Almost every time I take it out I get stopped in the car park by people wanting to know more about it — more than any other board I’ve ever owned. You almost don’t want to wax it up because it’s so beautiful. Just take a look at the pics below.
The closest off-the-shelf board to the one you see here is the Streamline model. Other models including the Easy Rider, Nose Rider, Modern Mal, and Old School Mal.
In The Surf
I’ve surfed this board in knee-high mush and as you would expect from a longboard it has no problem catching even the smallest ripples. At waist to shoulder high it’s super fun and turns much quicker than you might think. It will even let you get on the nose if the stars align just right. And in general is paddles like a dream.
But where this board really comes alive is when the waves get overhead.
At 3-5ft this board is in it’s element.
It’s got just enough kick in the relatively narrow nose to help with late takeoffs, 60/40 rails with a harder edge around the tail for a nice balance of stability and manoeuvrability, and a rounded pin tail that locks in on the bigger hollower stuff.
This board loves to go fast.
Features
Popular sizes
- 8’0″x 21 1/4″ x 2 5/8″
- 8’4″x 21 3/4″ x 2 3/4″
- 8’6″ x 22″ x 2 7/8″
- 9’1″x 22 1/2″x 2 3/4″
- 9’4″x 23″x 3″
But you can get anything from 5’4″ up to 10’1″.
Fin Setup
Available as a single fin, 10″ box + two side boxes, or tri-fin.
Colour Options
White, spray job, or resin tint.
Bob Kilpatrick in his shaping bay at Long Jetty.
Summary
I’ve ridden longboards by some of the most well-known and respected shapers in the world — including Bob McTavish, Steve Walden, and Dewey Weber — and my custom Ocean Blue Longboard holds it’s own against all of them.
And it cost less than half the price.
It’s a really fun board in everything from 1-5ft+ and great for beating the summer crowds. Just sit 20ft further out than everyone else and take all the set waves. You know you want to.
Bob even offers an easy Lay-Buy option for all off the rack boards. You simply pay what you can afford when you want, with no time limit, and no interest.
So now all you have to do is convince the missus you need to add a mal to your quiver.