Jay Novak Surfboards - Surfing since '65 - Shaping since '75 -

I have created an entire line of board designs to meet the performance goals for locals, and international riders alike. These designs are updated frequently and my greatest virtue is the ability to design boards to meet an individual’s specific needs. I want to share the stoke you feel when picking up and riding your new board!

Jay Novak Surfboards

Best Selling Models for 2026

Mucho 60’s era DNA is present and hard at work. A wide concave nose - almost 19” - for stability and planing. Some roll on the bottom and soft rails throughout. A thin tail with slight vee makes it sensitive and responsive. This board pictured above also has a 3/4” redwood/balsa T-band and a laminated tail block. A beautifully crafted and thought-out design. The OG Nose Rider is an almost perfect small wave longboard.

OG Nose Rider

The Super Short (SS) design has had a long refining period. I wanted a true high-performance short board, with a “pointed nose” that is more versatile and user-friendly. So, the board carries more width, especially thru the nose compared to past years. Slightly relaxed rocker, and some hidden volume. It is responsive and fast in a variety of waves.

Board pictured above is single concave, 5’9” x 19.25 × 2.5 × 13 15/16 nose x 14 7/8 tail - (30.1 liters).

AKA SS Round Tail

This design has been around for a long time. I shaped my first one in the 1970’s! A proven shape, it provides speed and glide in a variety of surf conditions. I have refined and improved on the fish concept, and the newest version comes with a slightly increased rocker, modern rails, and a double concave bottom. Board pictured is 5’9” x 21 5/8 x 2 9/16 - 36.8 Liters

IT still comes with the beak nose, and quite a bit of volume for it’s size. Some have said that this shape is a perfect “one-board” quiver. Others enjoy the linear flow and instant speed as a unique compliment to other shapes. Not just a small-wave demon, this board is quite versatile. Usual shapes between 5’4” and 6’4”

AKA Classic Fish

AKA Twinzer Egg

The Twinzer Egg came into being as surfers and shapers became more open-minded. What happens when the classic egg gets updated? The board gets faster and more maneuverable, and the channel bottom gives it that extra bit of stability and hold. A time-proven design has just got better!

Board pictured above is 6’10” x 20 5/8 × 2 11/16, and has 43.4 liters of volume.

SBT - Short Board Twinzer: A brief bit of history here - I did some of my absolute best surfing on twin fins in the 70’s and 80’s. This twinzer takes the design to the next level. Proven theories meet modern elements to create something special. A close friend said that it was like surfing on ball bearings. My biggest seller from fall ‘25 thru spring ‘26. This short board twinzer is 31.4 liters, is 6’0” x 20.5 × 2.5 with 14 5/8 nose and a 14 5/8 tail.Width-forward and lots of volume makes it user friendly.

SBT - Short Board Twinzer

After riding many fish shapes over the years, I have confidence in the new Fish Modern. Looking for a more vertical performance? This shape has been updated in a few areas. #1, It has a narrower nose and tail to allow for quicker turning. #2, Has a slightly increased rocker for sensitivity. #3, Has a winged tail to act as a pivot point, again for turning ease. #4, The bottom has a 2/3 length increasing vee, with a double concave between the fins. Board pictured is 5’6” x 20 3/4 x 2 33.0 liters

The result is a lively, fast, quick-responding shape that you will feel from the first wave. I give this one 4 our of 4 stars. ~Jay

AKA Fish Modern

My mission is to provide customers with a great board at a fair price. Up-to-date current model surfboards are delivered usually within 6 to 8 weeks. I use around 30 proven files; everything from various fish shapes, shortboards, and unique longboard models. With me, you deal directly with the owner/ shaper and this personal touch ensures that you will get the best board for your needs.

I have seen quite a lot in my years in the surfboard industry, and offer my experience to ensure your complete satisfaction. I first started using CNC technology with cutting blanks around 20 years ago. It has proven itself to be a big help in duplicating and re-sizing my designs. However, I still shape close to 50% of the boards by hand! Why? First, I never want to lose the skill of working with hand tools. Second, a custom board is not just choosing dimensions, color, and fin type for your new stick. I enjoy the one-to-one dialog determining just what the customer wants. If possible, I look at their old board, ask questions, and go from there. Forty five years of hand shaping will ensure your new board will exceed expectations.

Jay's Origins -

I started surfing in 1965 and started shaping & glassing in 1975. When I was just learning to surf, there were no shortboards. I weighed 100 pounds and my 9’2” log weighed 35 pounds! It took years to learn, mostly because I could only get to the beach a couple times a month. Thankfully, skateboarding got me thru in between beach visits.

The same can be said about my shaping and designing. Trial and error was the way boards transitioned through the “shortboard revolution” of 1968-1970. I enjoyed the challenge and kept at it, finally quitting my “real” job to concentrate on my new business.

I have had the good fortune to live near the coast for most my life - and surfed all the time. Some years, I surfed 300+ days. I did the math and realized that I have logged around 6000 days of surfing, and probably more than that in the shaping room! I have shaped for World Tour surfers, beginners, and everyone in between. I have also shaped for some large industry names that you would recognize. Perhaps my favorite aspect of shaping is the one-to-one interaction between myself and the client, and to make sure you get the board you want. And if you are a shop, maybe I can be the one to fill an order for your shop this season!

To learn more about Jay, check out his story here:

https://patch.com/california/imperialbeach/

master-craftsman-jay-novak-and-the-art-of-surfboard-shaping