Just back from California where I had the pleasure of meeting and surfing with Tim Bessell of Bessell Surfboards.
I walked into his store introduced myself, as we have sold some of his boards through troggs over the last 18 yrs, he was amazing , he took me surfing at Windansea and let me try out some of his latest designs, I absolutely loved surfing a wee “Notch Crocket” which had a five fin set up, I tried as a thruster and it flew. Then I tried a 6’4 Assymmetrical tailed quad which was awesome to ride backhand, very fast very positive off the bottom and very responsive in the pocket. Im trying to organise shipping some of his latest designs to the store, if you interested please dont hesitate to contact us on shop@troggs.com. I will be obtaining custom order forms and prices soon, and a list of available stock.
For more information or if you want to contact Tim yourself go to his website here
http://www.bessellsurf.com/index.php
A Passion for Performance
Tim Bessell loves his job. He combines lifelong surfing experience with expert craftsmanship to create some of the best custom surfboards in the world. From world class professionals to weekend warriors, ask anyone who knows him and they’ll tell you the same thing: Tim is more than a shaper, he’s an artist.
Tim Bessell in Tavarua 2008
The History of Bessell Surfboards
Tim shaped his first surfboard in his parents garage when he was only thirteen years old. Only two years later, Tim began his professional surfboard shaping career when he began working at Sunset Surfboards. He was one of the youngest surfboard shapers at Sunset, but he was already making a name for himself in and around his home break of Windansea Beach in La Jolla, California.
Three years later Tim moved to Hawaii to prove he has what it takes to be a shaper on the North Shore. He began shaping custom surfboards for Lightning Bolt, one of Hawaii’s premier surfboard manufacturers. In fact, Tim Bessell would later become one of the few shapers allowed to manufacture surfboards under the Lightning Bolt name.
In 1982, Tim returned to San Diego to re-open Bessell Surfboards. By 1987, Bessell Surfboards had grown into one of the largest surfboard manufacturers in Southern California. Tim also made a name for himself as an artist, with exhibitions as far away as Japan.
Tim branched off into the world of apparel when he started his own clothing line in 1992. He designed every item himself, and his unique touch of style was an instant hit. Tim even helped design styles for other clothing companies such as T&C Hawaii and Billabong.
Tim decided to focus once again on surfboards in 1997, when he returned to the shaping room to reinvent Bessell Surfboards. He built primarily custom shaped boards for surfers who demand more that the typical cookie cutter shapes. Tim’s willingness to work individually with each customer has helped build a reputation few shapers can match.
To date, Tim has produced over 46,000 surfboards. His boards have graced the covers of Surfer Magazine, Surfing Magazine, Beach Culture, and countless other surfing magazine. Many world class surfers have ridden Bessell Surfboards including: Peter King, Luke Egan, Jon Roseman, Glen Winton, Brad Gerlach, Vetea David, Ricky Irons, David MacAulay, Saxon Boucher, Debbie Melville Beacham, Ryder Mackey, Chris O’Rourke, Billy Choe, Simon Law, Juston Postin, David Eggers, Davie Miller, Richard Kenvin and more.
| Tim Bessell is known for hand-shaping top quality surfboards. He can shape a surf board that is right for you, and that will help you get the most out of your surfing experience. If you would like to order a Bessell custom surf board, the following steps are necessary for making sure you get exactly what you want. If you have any questions or any special needs don’t hesitate to call us at our toll free number 888.456.2590.Step One: Spec out your surfboard yourself. View custom board options below to help you decide what shape works best for you.
Step Two: TALK TO THE MAN. Once you have decided generally what you are looking for (shortboard, longboard, fish etc..) the next step is to call Tim personally to further discuss the details of your order. Don’t worry, if you don’t know exactly what you want , Tim will assist you at this time. Or, feel free to stop by the shop to finalize your order, or to simply check out the scene.
Currently, there are three shaping options available. Tim handshapes all custom boards by hand, making them all individual creations for the customer. However, if you are ordering a stock board, you have the option of running the initial blank shape through the KKL machine or the DSD machine, securing that you have the exact board you want with incredible accuracy everytime.
All of our customs surfboards are availible in either startard polyurethane resin, or for an addition 100 dollars, all shapes can be glassed with epoxy, for even stronger lighter surfboards. Make sure to specify when ordering a board!
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Handshaped and hand-glued limited edition guns, longboards, and other classic shapes. Made out of Peruvian balsa and a variety of exotic woods, this is the best material for a smooth ride on a sizeable wave. They ride like Cadillac’s and are a collectors item with limited production of less than 100 a year.
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Together Tim and the legedary nose riding master David Nuuhiwa have designed a modern noes rider call the “DW-1″. This is a most if you want to ride the nose like David.
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Classic longboard feel with 50/50 rails for the ultimate glide. Smooth outline and contours give this surfboard forgiving and graceful down the line speed. It is the premier model that came out of the 60’s.
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An authentic retro classic model in the longboard shape. These boards are made true to the classic techniques handed down through generations. Down rail on tail, 50/50 rail. As a classic noserider, it is about the style and the trim in the original form.
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Performance longboard for the surfer with one foot in the past and one if the present. Tim designed this model for the intermediate surfer to advanced surfer who enjoys longboarding, but likes the feel of “modern” surfboard.
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The boards, made of carbon fiber, are completely hollow. The High Temp Fiber Placement Process allows them to be some of the lightest boards ever seen. There is nothing tying the top and bottom together except for the rails. This enables the deck and bottom to work and flex independently. This unique feature acts like suspension, launching you form one turn to the next.
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A classic California gun shaped board. As a longboard with a pulled in nose, this board will give you the all benefits of a longboard like paddling power while its gun shape is meant for bigger surf. Among others, it is loved by gnarly old guy still charging it.
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A high performance longboard used by our competitive team or for anyone who wants to improve their longboard skills. Four to six ounce glass, three fin system, and lightweight for both snappy and smooth moves.
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The Waterman is our cross-training stand-up paddleboard. This board is great for all around stand-up paddling. The dimensions are between 10’ and 11’ between 29” and 32” wide. They’re custom made out of EPS you can order any shape and any size in any color.
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Classic big wave gun pretty much says it. One of Tim’s specialities, it’s intended for double or triple overhead surf. You can buy it and hang it on your wall, or you can ride it like a man.
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The most “User Friendly” Egg design in town. Whether you’re new to surfing, or just need and versitle summer board for your quiver, feel the basic beat.
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A transition board great for all around surfing. This contemporary throw-back has a fuller outline, modern rocker, and modern rail design. As one of the most popular finds, any surfer can enjoy this ride.
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Tim’s ultimate high performance gun intended for hollow fast waves. This board is a great travel board. If you want to be number one tube rider, this is the board for you.
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The Pocket Rocket
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Tim’s ultimate high performance gun intended for hollow fast waves. This board is a great travel board. If you want to be number one tube rider, this is the board for you.
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Tim’s ultimate high performance shortboard. The Eliminator is our number one shortboard model. This board is by far the fastest, loosest board Tim has ever made. Great for the grommets all the way up to the big guys. Featuring the vector channel bottom. Great for two foot slop to ten foot perfection. Paddles like a longboard, but turns like a shortboard. 100% satisfaction guaranteed through an authorized dealer.
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This is the most advanced custom surfboard in the world today. The parabolic stringer combined with Tim’s patented carbon tape construction proves to be the most responsive hand made surfboard on the market. From beginners to champions this is the board of the future.
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A great shortboard shape. Better if you are looking for a stiffer, more solid shortboard. It’s sexy, but also delivers.
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The Badray is a board that is designed for all around high-performance surfing. Great for arials tube riding and floaters. Our Japanese rider Hayato, said that this is the best surfboard he has ever ridden. It comes in both Aviso technology in two sizes 5’10” and 6’1”. We also can custom make it in EPS and standard poly.
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A high performance, squash tail triple concave design. This board is intended for someone around 150-250 pounds who wants to ride high performance shortboard. This is what all the professional surfers ride, the top pros. It is a wave weapon.
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This board is a standard issue high performance shortboard. It is the mini me of the Macrochip, intended for the little ripper who is for surf obsessed, sponsor seeking, and sits in the back seat at school. The perfect board for the relentless grom, the core of the core.
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The V8 Special was inspired by Andy Irons World Title board for 2004. It provides great feeling roundhouse cutbacks and is more stable on a floater. Your answer for high performance surfing.
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As a modern fish shape, this quad fin fish is way more maneuverable than retro fish. Gives the modern turn, but with the classic glide and speed.
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A classic retro fish shape. Remember your knee board I shaped you in 1973? Well it’s back, better, and now you can stand on it.
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