Bashams Factory & Surfshop — Local services in San Clemente

This is a bit of a long review, but worth it. I'm not a shaper; in fact, whatever level is below "beginner", that's me. I've shaped a few boards, but not enough to get the hang of it yet. However, a family member, who has been shaping boards (including several of mine) for quite a few years, has always used Basham's shaping bay and glassing services, so I started going there too. All of my boards (both the ones I've made and the ones he's made) have always turned out great.

The other day, I came up to the front desk with what I felt was a pretty decently finished board, and quickly realized how far off I was when I was told that before I sent it for glassing, I'd have to finish it. Being admittedly new to shaping, I told Chuck that I was still learning the basics and really didn't know what I was doing, and asked what needed to be done. He then gave me a quick lesson on finishing boards, and told me which tools to grab.

After that, Anthony spent about 40-45 minutes showing me how to do it, correcting my form, and explaining why each task was important. There wasn't a hint of consescension; he really seemed to enjoy teaching me how to finish a board. It made the difference between an okay board and what will probably be a really nice looking (and performing) one.

It would have been easy for Chuck to take my money and glass an unfinished board, but he took the time to explain what still needed to be done without making me feel like an idiot. Anthony didn't have to take a half hour plus out of his day to teach me the finer points of finishing.

I have only ridden boards glassed at Basham's for the past 10+ years, and the glassing has held up to some real abuse. I really don't know if Basham's glassing work is better than everyone else's in town, but the fact that he's had his shop running for so long leads me to believe that it probably is. Additionally, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer, friendlier, and more generous group of people. I won't use anyone else, and will recommend Basham's to everyone I meet who...

i use to make surfboards when i was about 13 in santa barbara even with the great shapers there. now im 63 and made one for my first granddaughter when she was 5 that was 10 years ago and went to bashams and asked a lot of questions as i was used to was useing 6oz when i was younger which i did that time also and the resin and blank from clark at the time was the best. i think thier great and i can't surf or even go in the water past my knees so now i am going to make my other granddaughter a long board for her to start. she is seven but i want her to learn on a long board so she won't be discouraged. any way i haven't been to his shop in over ten years but i will be bothering them again and i still have my stands that everyone wanted me to toss but i love to build so i trust bashams and the people there to steer me right. my son by the way thought my board would look like #@$& but when i was done he couldn't belive i had made it he said it looked like a pro had done it but i've use fiberglass all the time tell i broke my self up but building is in the blood so give it a try and use the shapes with close tolerance's i also put in tri fin plugs with a 3/.4 hole saw from harbor fright just have to be careful and make your templets for the lean and angle correct. sorry but just wanted to give this place its do as it is by far the best priced place here and has a...

What an extraordinary group of guys that work here and run this place. I stopped by this shop after a surf session that ended with the nose of my longboard getting dinged up pretty good. The shop wasn't taking Surftech tuflite boards for repair anymore, but I was so fortunate to meet Norm, who very graciously helped me through a VERY thorough tutorial and demonstration of how to fix the nose with solarez. Everyone here went above and beyond to help teach me and send me off with a water tight board ready surf again. I had a bunch of questions about fins that they helped me with as well. Such a rad shop with an amazing crew of stand out humans. Thanks for...