WE MAKE BOARDS TO
Any surfer can describe “that feeling”, while you are in the ocean or on a wave and time seems to stop. Our troubles fade and we find clarity in gliding through blue ocean waters. At Road Surf we view each board as a reflection of surfing we hold so dearly in our hearts. Surfing is about interacting with nature, we strive to keep our building process as environmentally responsible as we can. Surfing lets you experience the beauty of the ocean and the earth, we aim make each board a unique work of art. We hope our surfboards will be the “Road” to somebody’s connection between themselves and nature.
YOU SHAPE LIKE A
To anybody that doesn’t know our founder Isabella Gilchrist, the heading of this page might seem like a poor attempt at putting somebody down. For those of us who are lucky enough to know Bella, ride her boards and surf with her, this would enter our ears as a massive compliment. Bella and many other rising female shapers are bringing justice to the phrase “shape like a girl.”
Bella Gilchrist grew up in Cardiff, CA supervised by a family of local shapers and surfers. An everyday surfer and naturally artistic, Bella was primed to start shaping boards at a young age. Crafting surfboards was a way for her to express her artistic voice while also improving the boards she wore on her feet more than shoes. As her talent surfing and shaping grew, Bella suddenly found herself overwhelmed with custom board orders from friends from all over southern California. Thus, Road emerged.
It is very trendy and inclusive of Bella to be a female shaper and business owner, but that is not why people buy her surfboards. When people see or ride a Road surfboard for the first time they think “man this thing is the real deal.” Road boards are a complete package and are carefully crafted in every aspect. It takes an incredible amount of time and money for Bella to hand-shape, surf, and approve that a board is ready to be manufactured for sale. The boards we sell go through the hands of dozens of professional shapers, surfers, and glassers before they ever go to a costumer. While it is important to us that our brand is female-owned, Bella could really care less. She wants to be viewed as a good shaper and surfer regardless of who you stack her up against. We think she is well on her way.