About
Austin Barrette
Surfer | Craftsman
“I didn’t start shaping surfboards as a business—I started shaping because I loved surfing.”
A Note From Austin:
Growing up in Orange County, California, I spent my childhood watching local shapers craft custom boards. My dad and I would pick up boards from these legends, and I was hooked—not just on surfing but on the art of building boards that could take a session from good to unforgettable.
Fast forward to 2019, and Barrette Surfboards was born. What started as a personal pursuit quickly turned into a full-fledged business as word spread. Today, I work directly with surfers and wakesurfers to create boards that elevate their ride—whether they’re paddling into a powerful ocean wave or carving effortlessly behind a wake.
An Experienced Surfer knows that the Right Board
Changes Everything
Frequently Asked Questions:
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A custom Barrette Surfboard typically takes 3-5 weeks to build from start to finish. This timeline can vary depending on the current order queue, but we keep you updated every step of the way with photos and videos of the shaping and glassing process. Because this is a military-owned business, time away for service may slightly impact production, but rest assured, we prioritize delivering a high-quality, handcrafted board as efficiently as possible.
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Full Carbon Construction: Enhances durability and stiffness, locking in the board’s rocker and preventing unnecessary flex. This creates an ultra-responsive, high-performance ride perfect for aggressive surfers and wakesurfers who need precision and power.
Flex Tech Construction: Allows the board to flex and rebound quickly when pressure is applied to the nose or tail, generating extra pop during tricks and maneuvers. This is a great choice for riders who want a more dynamic and playful ride.
Not sure which is right for you? We’ll help you determine the best construction for your riding style and performance goals.
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No problem! Since 2019, we’ve helped riders of all experience levels design boards that enhance their riding experience. Whether you're a competitive wakesurfer looking to refine your board or a weekend warrior upgrading from a mass-produced model, we’ll help you select the right shape, materials, and setup. Send us videos of your riding, details about your strengths and challenges, your boat’s wake size, or whether you're front- or back-foot dominant—every detail helps us craft a board that truly fits you.
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Absolutely! Unlike many surfboard brands, we welcome riders to be part of the shaping process at no extra cost. Whether in person or virtually via FaceTime, you can watch and participate in bringing your custom surfboard to life. This unique hands-on experience gives you a deeper connection with your board and helps you understand how its design influences performance.
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Your board should be as unique as your ride! We offer custom rail paint, tie-dye fabric inlays, resin swirl designs, and more. While we specialize in abstract art, we also accommodate custom logos and images at no additional cost. Have a specific vision? We’ll bring it to life!
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Yes! We currently shape and glass boards for several other brands and are happy to collaborate on private label production. Whether you’re a surf shop, brand, or team looking for high-quality, hand-shaped boards, we can create custom designs at competitive prices.
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We make it easy to secure your board! Once we finalize your custom design, we’ll send you an invoice. Payments can be made via card, Venmo, Zelle, or cash (if local).
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Yes! We proudly support our military community. We offer up to 40% off for active-duty service members and veterans. Wounded veterans should contact us or Dave from Wake for Warriors—we’ll ensure you’re taken care of. Our mission is to keep handcrafted boards accessible to those who serve, and we reinvest profits from standard sales to make this possible.
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Every rider deserves a high-performance board! While we may tweak designs for beginner-friendly stability, we never restrict access to our best boards. Whether you’re an advanced competitor or new to wakesurfing, our models are built for everyone.
What Makes a Barrette Surfboard Different?
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Unlike pop-out boards from overseas, every Barrette Surfboard is handcrafted right here in Georgia with careful attention to the rails, rocker, and overall shape. The result? A board that’s uniquely tuned to your style and conditions.
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I don’t just shape boards—I ride them. Every board I create is influenced by my experience surfing some of my favorite breaks—Cottons, Salt Creek, Pinetrees, and 44th Street in Virginia Beach. I know what works, and I build with performance, speed, and control in mind.
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Your board should work for you, not the other way around. Whether you need a surfboard built for your local break or a wakesurfboard shaped specifically for your boat’s wake, I’ll work with you to dial in the perfect dimensions, tail shape, and fin setup.
