A surfboard blank viewed down the centre line while James works in the shaping bay.

A surfboard built around your surfing.

Handmade custom surfboards shaped by James Bailey at Whitburn Studio, built from a careful brief and finished by hand in the workshop.

Explore Whitburn shapes

A custom board starts with a conversation

A custom board gives you the chance to start with your waves, your surfing and what you want the board to do.

You might already know the shape, dimensions and set-up you are after. You might only know what you have enjoyed riding - or what has never quite worked. James will work from wherever you are starting and turn that into a board designed around you.

James Bailey smiling in the Whitburn Studio workshop with a surfboard.

There is no right way to start

A Whitburn Nudibranch surfboard on the ground.

Whitburn shape

Choose one of James' established shapes as the foundation, then work through the dimensions, rails, fin set-up, construction and finish around you.

James marking measurements on a surfboard template in the workshop.

Ask James

Tell James where you surf, how you surf and what you want the board to feel like. He can help work out the direction from there.

A custom Eggspiracy surfboard held beside a shaping bay door.

A board you love

A current board, an old favourite or even a board you have borrowed can be a useful reference. What you like - and what you would change - gives James somewhere tangible to begin.

A sketched surfboard outline and workshop notes used to shape a custom board idea.

Bring an idea

You do not need a specification. A few thoughts, photographs or references and an idea of what you want the board to do are enough to start working through it.

The process.

James uses the initial brief to understand what you need from the board before fixing the details. From there, the design is worked through together and agreed before anything enters the workshop.

James hand-sanding the rail of a surfboard blank.

01
Brief
Tell James about your surfing, the waves you normally ride, the boards you have experience with and what you want from the next one.
02
Direction
James works through the intended use of the board and recommends a direction for the shape, dimensions, volume, construction and set-up.
03
Specification
The final shape, dimensions, rails, contours, fin configuration, materials and finish are agreed with you before the build begins.
04
Build
James shapes, laminates and finishes the board by hand in the Whitburn Studio workshop. Once it is ready, collection or delivery is arranged.

Tell James what you want to build

Use the custom board brief to share what you ride now, where you surf and what you want from your next board.

You do not need to have everything worked out. Give James as much as you know and he can help with the rest.

Prefer to speak to James directly? Contact the workshop.

The results.

“The Eggspiracy is honestly the best board in the quiver. The Kernel has to be the funnest board I own.”

“James' boards are something else! I have a 6'6 Eggspiracy and it's honestly the best board in the quiver. I ended up selling my LoveMachine FM as I always seem to pick the Eggspiracy over it. At this length for me, the board turns like a shortboard but smoother. Super easy to duck dive, goes excellent with the BMT twins. I recently picked up the Kernel 5'3. I've been hunting for a fun summer board for such a long time and this has finally filled that spot. This has to be the funnest board I own and have ever surfed. Excited to try more.”

Mario B

Eggspiracy and Kernel

“I turned up with my 20+ year old board and basically said what I wanted the new board to be in addition to the old one.”

“If you are looking for a custom board look no further, just get in touch with James and the rest is easy. I turned up with my 20+ year old board and basically said what I wanted the new board to be in addition to the old one, we discussed a few features and then the design which is awesome. I genuinely wouldn't look anywhere else when I come to my next board, 100% perfect, thanks James.”

John F

Custom board

“From choosing the stringer wood to the exact colour, the whole process was collaborative and bespoke.”

“James shaped me a gorgeous longboard for my birthday and I loved not only the final craft but the process to get there - from choosing the stringer wood to the exact colour, the whole process was collaborative and bespoke. The board is a beauty on the wall and in the water!”

Dulcie D

Bespoke longboard

“He guided the shape and the design with his experience, while giving me space to sketch out my vision.”

“What can I say. The whole end-to-end process was great! From the first conversation to the handover, James at Whitburn Surfboards was phenomenal. He guided the shape and the design with his experience and knowledge, while giving me space to come up with ideas and sketch out my vision. From there, the vision came to life, and the final product is a thing of beauty. I may be biased, but it's a beautiful board, 100% crafted!”

Lee N

Collaborative custom

“This longboard has transformed my surfing, catches anything and turns like a dream.”

“Got this absolute beauty of a triple stringer from Whitburn and I am in love! This longboard has transformed my surfing, catches anything and turns like a dream. Had loads of compliments from everyone on the lovely wooden tips and also on how well made it is! Absolutely incredible craftsmanship and cannot recommend enough! Also had it delivered to Ilfracombe, North Devon which was a massive bonus!”

Rhyannon A

Triple stringer longboard

Materials chosen for the board.

The materials are chosen around the way the board needs to surf, feel and last.

Whitburn uses bioscience epoxy across its surfboard builds and repairs. PU blanks offer a familiar feel and weight, while EPS can produce a lighter, livelier board. Balsa and agave cores are also available where using more natural materials is an important part of the build.

For some custom stringers, James also uses reject timber from a local sawmill - giving otherwise wasted material another purpose and creating details that can be unique to the board.

Colour, resin tint, stringer, tail block and other finish details are worked through with James and agreed before the board goes into the workshop.