Mark Richards Surfboards
Mark Richards Surfboards
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Mark Richards 1980 Retro REAL Review

6 boards in stock
Mark Richards 1980 Retro Surfboard

A faithful recreation of Mark Richards favorite "magic" contest board, it is fast, loose and a "blast from the past".

Mark Richards 1980 Retro logo

Dimensions

5'8" x 19.5" x 2.63" | 31.3
5'9" x 19.625" x 2.625"
5'10" x 19.75" x 2.63" | 34.3
5'11" x 19.875" x 2.75"
6'0" x 20" x 2.75" | 35.7
6'1" x 20" x 2.75"
6'2" x 20.5" x 2.75" | 37.2
6'4" x 20.5" x 2.75" | 38.7
6'6" x 20.75" x 2.875" | 40.2

From the Shaper

"The original outline with a lot of foam in the nose, making it a dream to paddle. Classic wing-swallow tail reduces the tail area for holding power through turns. A deep V bottom give the 1980 turns that bite and flow rail to rail. It is fast, loose, and a 'blast from the past'. The feedback on this model is 100% positive with everyone remarking how well it goes today for a 30 year old design."

Mark Richards

REAL Review

Additional Details

Everyone loves the MR boards. These boards are really interesting with a lot of old school design packed in. They have always been intriguing but I didn't really get why everyone is so passionate about the MR shapes til I took the 1980s out for a surf. This board is so buttery. It has foam through the entire board so it feels really balanced and it glides when you paddle. When you get up on a wave there is a quick jolt of initial speed and then that glide comes back into play. Put it on rail and guess want it arcs out a fully connected carve. When you push really hard the tail does not want to sink and pivot but carve and accelerate. You have to be way back on the tail if you want the 1980s Retro to pivot around.

I surfed this board on a few waist to chest high days. When it was weak, it caught waves easily and when it had more power, the board gripped and raced down the line. Really fun board that makes you want to surf it more. It draws all these classic lines but also has the performance and feel of a modern board.

As recommend by MR, I used the MR twin fin set with the small trailer fin. I found the board to have more get up and go with the trailer fin in it and as a twin fin it was looser.

This board is best suited as a one board do everything quiver. You could get this board as a do everything shortboard or you can add it to your pile of boards because it is bad ass and works in everything. I can't wait to get it out on a big draining day to trim a high line through the barrel.

-Review by Matt Nuzzo
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    • Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 5'10"
      33.28L

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 5'10"

      $895.00
      $895.00 $895.00

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 5'10"
    • Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'0"
      36.4L

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'0"

      $895.00
      $895.00 $895.00

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'0"
    • Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'4"
      39.26L

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'4"

      $895.00
      $895.00 $895.00

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'4"
    • Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'6"
      42L

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'6"

      $895.00
      $895.00 $895.00

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'6"
    • Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'8"
      45.25L

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'8"

      $895.00
      $895.00 $895.00

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 6'8"
    • Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 7'0"
      50.25L

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 7'0"

      $950.00
      $950.00 $950.00

      Mark Richards 1980 Retro PU/Poly 7'0"