I am very excited to order 2 new Blackbird IIs in Proxy epoxy and

wanted to give Todd props on not only the best

and most versatile boards I have ever ridden,

but the durability and consistent liveliness of the Proxy material.

I would recommend getting the Proxy epoxy upgrade to anyone who wants an incredibly flexible, fast, and durable board!  Unlike competitors’ epoxies that have a less lively feel than their poly counterparts, the spring and tensile flex of the Proxy epoxy is actually more noticeable and faster than the traditional polyurethene blank by a long shot.

Plainly put, Proxys builds speed,

hold it and slingshot you into your next maneuver.

This was evident on the very first ride at D Street in Encinitas, a fast and punchy (usually walled) beachbreak.  I clearly remember taking off and flying past a section that I normally wouldn’t have made, then wafting the tail free on several hits all the way to the beach. The speed the Proxy material and board design generates has changed my outlook on what is makable and not.

This board has been through 2 successful competitive seasons 07/08 and 08/09 and is still going strong and riding like the day I got it two years later.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve had boards that long!

In the summer of 2008, it went with me to Kandui in the Mentawaii Island chains.  I broke 2 leashes while riding this board and the board washed across DRY REEF on both losses, the second time across the reef at HEAVY Rifles.  The boat guys tried several times in vain to get it, but it was too dangerous with the surge. I put on tennis shoes (that’s how much I love this board) and walked out in treacherous conditions to retrieve it expecting to find the board smashed to smithereens.  Part of the leash was caught around a coral head really adding to the tension! The collateral damage was a couple of spider cracks along the rail and they came out after a very light sanding.

Still looked like new! Everyone, boat guys

and other surfers, couldn’t believe the board wasn’t destroyed.

I have 2 Greased Pigs, 2 Accelerators, 2 SR71s, a 4-Leaf Clover w/ tri fin setup too, Blackbird II, Falcon, and an Ante Up.  All are Proxy epoxy and I ride and absolutely love every one of them.  I welcome ANY questions and feedback on how they all ride to my email below. If you’re on the fence about trying one of Proctor’s Proxy epoxy boards, don’t be. You’ll never look back!  See you in the water.

God Bless and Aloha,

Paul Pence, Cardiff by the Sea, California
ppence@hotmail.com

I see that you are designing on a NMC machine. Very interesting, what a great idea.

Me, 6ft, 165lbs, fit, 50 years old.  Started on a 9-6 Robert August, now on a 8ft- 3.5 inch thick pointing nose Infinity.  Learned at LA point breaks, Sunset, Malibu, Latigo.  Now surfing beach break at Venice and El Porto.

Looking to go shorter, more responsive,

but lets be real, I am 50, and probably a level 2 surfer.

I  would probably want it in EPS.

I am in Venice, very easy for me to drive up to Ventura.

Thanks for your time, and thanks for pushing the board technology forward,

David

Hi David,

Thanks for your e-mail; nice to meet you.

The perfect next level board for you would be

the Lil’ Rascal.

This board has the paddleability of a longer/ thicker board and carries the speed of a retro/ fish style shape down the line, but maintains the responsiveness, maneuverability and holding capacities of a modern high performance shortboard…..

it combines the best of both worlds into one versatile board.

Ideal dimensions to drop down to would be in the 7′2″ – 7′6″ x 22 1/2″ x 3 1/4″.

This board is ideal for the LA points as well as the beachbreaks of Venice and El Porto where you’re surfing.

I recommend the Proxy construction.

The Prroxy is my name for our uniquely handcrafted composite construction.  This is the highest grade board I make for both performance and strength.

The Proxy has the positive flex characteristic of an

ultralight polyester board,

but with three to five times the strength of a standard

polyester board…..and it is made custom (here in our

Ventura factory from start to finish) to the exact

dimensions that are going to be best for you.

The Proxy is slightly more buoyant which makes for good paddling and lively under your feet as well.
Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have.  I know you would be stoked on a magic Proctor Lil’ Rascal.
Looking forward to your reply,
Aloha,
Todd

Hi Todd,

Thank you for your long and thoughtful reply.  A few more questions for you.

Do you vent your Proxy boards to prevent delamination?

What would the cost be of the board you recommend, I am thinking a sand finish.  How long would it take to make?
Best wishes,
David

Hi Dave,

The core material I use doesn’t require venting…

as is the case with other companies that use a recycled form of eps….thermoformed/ molded technologies i.e. surftech as well as firewire and others use  a 1lb. or 1.5 lb typically. The recycled eps is a generic foam used in many different applications traditionally outside the surfboard industry, it is much cheaper, has very low compression strength as well as a high tendency to “vent” at high temperatures or at high altitudes due to the high porosity of the foam….ultimately this will cause foam shear or delamination.

Many companies that outsource their boards, those that mass produce outside the US, those who are trying to save on construction costs, or those that don’t understand the dynamics of different foams use this kind of eps foam in their boards. Then, they have to overcome the associated problems by venting their boards, poking tiny holes all over the skin of the glass job (as is the case with using a closed cell polystyrene) or some other weird thing to try to offset complications caused by using a poor core material.

Other problems associated with a poor core material is that you will be told to get immediately out of the water if you get a ding while surfing….this is  to prevent water absorption into the board core……which can only be removed by applying a vacuum system to it….a nightmare which you should not have to worry about….(and you don’t by the way with the Proxy system).

I use a non recycled or ‘virgin bead’ epoxy foam

that is made for surfboards

and specifically for use with our unique Proxy (custom flexible epoxy custom composite construction). The use of the virgin bead epoxy core foam and its part in the entire Proxy system of construction

eliminates the need for a valve or vent.

It is always advised not to keep your board consistently in extremely high temperatures for extended periods of time….and that goes for any kind of construction since it can weaken the resin-to-core-to-skin bond of the board.

A custom Proxy Rascal in your dims is $775.00 and includes fin system. fins, a two color spray and sand finish to 320 satin.  It takes approximately 3-4 weeks. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I know you would be stoked on a magic Proxy Rascal. Looking forward to your reply,
Aloha,

Todd

P.S. – It might be a good idea to set up a phone or walk-in appointment if you have further questions regarding the uniqueness of the Proxy system…..it is quite different than anything else out there, but also took about ten years for me to dial in this process, so breaking it down and explaining all of its nuances is much easier for me over the phone or in person…..otherwise I end up writing novels and not getting to all the boards I’ve got on my plate.

Hi Todd,

Thank you for your detailed response.

I love a good tech response.

I’ll give a ring to the shop tomorrow and we can go over all the specs and such.
Best wishes,
David

Well this email is horribly late but I blame that solely on the board you made me.  The lime green 5′9″ x 19″ 7/8 x 2″ 3/4 Rascal II you built for me is in a word…. “insane”.  I have literally ridden it for 4 weeks straight every single day of the week and am continually impressed with how it performs.

It has turned around what would normally be a boring surf sessions in gutless surf into killer sessions.

The board just kind of lifts up underneath your feet giving you a gliding/ skimming feeling that I have not experienced before.

My surfing has never looked or felt better and I can’t thank you enough for that!

I know that this board is reported as a “small wave / gutless surf” board, but I have to say

it is one of the most versatile boards
I have ever ridden.

With the 5 fin setup, I can make adjustments for when faces start jacking up to give the board more bite into the wave (It ripped right through pumping head high to HH+ waves).  The waves have gotten quite a bit bigger the last two days and I moved back to my standard shortboard……

I lasted for all of 4 rides before I pulled the Rascal II out again.

That would be my only complaint about this board,

I want to ride it in everything!!

I will definitely be calling upon you in the future for another board.

Thanks again to both of you!  Todd for making the board I always wanted and Charissa for being hands down the coolest person to do business with.

Regards,
Matthew Glaspey (customer for life), San Diego, CA
Custom Surfboard: Proxy Epoxy construction: Rascal II
5′8″ x 19 7/8″ x 2 3/8″ moontail
4 parabolic channels, FCS 5 fin install, GAM with GX rears for quad or thruster setup

Hey Todd:

Been awhile since I picked up the boards, but I wanted to let you know that they both work unreal.

I have never had boards that are so light and responsive as this. Especially like the Pig and have surfed it in head high waves.

Been on that board alot. Waiting for a little more juice to get the Accelerator going, but so far I am totally satisfied. I think you dialed in exactly what I needed in both boards and it feels like my surfing has gone to the next level. The rest of my boards are just collecting dust right now!

And thanks for the personal service. Best custom service I have had.

You have a great operation and I like that fact that you treat everyone with equal respect and attention. I will be coming back for more, if these Proxy’s ever give out!

Off to Costa Rica next month and will send you some photos. Wanted to check to make sure there
are no issues with the Proxy’s when traveling or in the heat. Let me know if they require any special
care.

Best to you and Charissa.

Richard Stoner, Venice, CA

Custom Proxy Epoxy Greased Pig
5′10″ x 19 1/4″ x 2 5/16″ single wing swallow tail

Custom Proxy Epoxy Accelerator [Parabolic]
6′0″ x 18 7/8″ x 2 1/4″ rounded squash tail

On a scale of 1 to 10 on the fun factor, my surfing has just taken about a 20 point move up. Awesome.

Sorry I lost touch…Been surfing your board..

Best board ever totally awesome.

I have some video and pictures..When I get them put together I’ll pick a few and send them….

Brian McCarthy, 42, Newport Beach, CA

Proxy Epoxy construction withTitanium Series Upgrade
Option 1.0: Kevlar Compression Patch
Option 2.0: Carbon-Hinged Flex Tail

SR71 rounded squash tail 6′4″ x 18 7/8″ x 2 3/8″

Once I started to figure the board out I was blown away by how sensitive it is rail to rail, and how I could use the extra manuverablity to generate even more speed.

My old boards have always been fast, But turning them at top speed was always the issue. They required full force which made the turn hard to control. This board however banks turns at full speed easily and the turns are positive. Plenty of projection. Not the type the tail starts to drift and with it goes all your speed for the next turn.

Also the board catches waves like a dream, I barely have to paddle.

With this being my first board from you I can only imagine what the next one will be like. For now I’m going to ride this one into the ground and try to find something about it that we can improve on for the next one. Thanks for giving me a board that is going to help me improve my surfing.

P.S. I bought some future compatable trulite fins from true ames. They work great on this board. Feels like glass ons.

Thanks, Mike Julian, 27, Southern California
Custom Surfboard: Proxy Epoxy construction: SR71 rounded squash tail
6′2″ x 18 3/4″ x 2 5/16″ Nose: 11 1/4″ Tail: 14 1/8″

I think you nailed it. This one is alive. Keeping it a bit straight between the feet really gets it going quickly. It’s almost like I gain speed in tighter areas and don’t need as much room to drive it, lets me keep a higher line effortlessly. It compliments the increased tail rocker perfectly. After hitting the lip I’m going from 12:00 to about 4:00. The first few times caught me by surprise.

There’s nothing like a big hack when you know everyone saw it.

Cutbacks are really tight as well. A minor shift in weight is all it needs.

After 20 or so sessions I’m having a blast with it.

It’s been a while since I’ve been this connected to a board.

Thanks a bunch and God Bless.

Doug Demaret, 36, Ventura, CA
Custom Proxy Proctor Epoxy Groveler IV.p [performance]
6′3″ x 19 3/8″ x 2 9/16″ squash tail
Visit the Groveler IV.p gallery

I ordered my first board from you nearly 2 years ago, a flexible epoxy Groveler IVP. It’s been a great everyday board. I surf anywhere from 1-4 x per week and have been surfing for 20 years.

I have never had a board that kept it’s flex/pop so long and even more amazing,

I have NEVER had to fix a ding. I swear that board is bulletproof. No dings, no delam, no nothing!

The only thing I think I’m starting to feel is the flex seems to deadened a little. I’m guessing you would agree that my board has reached its average usable life.

I see you have a new formula (Proxy). Any differences in feel from the flexible epoxy of my current board? How long is your turnaround on these?

Best regards,

Aaron Ross, Ladera Ranch, CA
Custom Epoxy Proctor Surfboard: 6′3″ x 19 1/4″ x 2 /12″ Groveler IV.p

——————————————————-

Hi Aaron,

I am always stoked to hear more good feedback regarding our flexible epoxy series. Your board is probably getting into it’s golden years now….probably time for a newy.

Unfortunately nothing lasts forever…..except our soul….

The new Proxy has the same flex properties as the original flexible epoxy. I’ve just improved a few things so the boards are a hair lighter and can now accept any kind of color work/ artwork options. They are also stronger than before. So in a nutshell: stronger, lighter, same springy flex….and can handle whatever graphics.

The only slight difference in feel in the new Proxies is that they have a bit more slingshotty of a feel

driving out of turns….a good thing.

Turnaround right now is 6-8 weeks.
Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. I know you would be stoked on a magic Proxy custom.
Looking forward to your reply,

Aloha,

Todd