Zack Flores Goes Switch Stance in Mexico on his Self-Made Quiver

Zack Flores is as unique a surfer as you’re likely to find. Not only has he been building his own boards for 8 years, experimenting on the fringes of foam and then putting his craft to the test on a high level, but he’s also often riding those boards going switch. Crazy, right?
In the clip above, Flores test drives a few of his favorite handshapes in Mexico in truly ambidextrous fashion, riding them switch for the entirety of the trip. From a 5’3” twin fin fish (“I figured we’d be getting barreled and this board gets the job done”), to a 6’6” single fin pintail (“Rides like a skimboard, because I like to slide”), to a 7’0″ gun/shortboard hybrid (“A shortboard but with a huge nose”), Flores’ boards are an interesting bunch, but they obviously work, at least guided by his own feet (regardless of which one is forward).
As a surfer and a shaper, Flores cuts out the middle man. He can shape a board, test a board, and then jump right back in the shaping bay, able to put his field notes to foam immediately. “Every board I make is pretty much a new thought,” says Flores. “I use what I learn from each board to benefit myself on the next one.”
Filmed by Matt Paul and @endlssea
Edit by Alex Kilauano

[@billygottron9172]

kid is an amazing surfer!

[@mikaelnelson8339]

Sick!

[@timpani1950]

Thanks, Spicoli.

[@MicahsSurfVideos]

All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.

[@joeblow1942]

Micah's Surf Vids I always thought he said “bud.”

[@noahstone1558]

Do one with Ryan Burch please!

[@patevers4307]

Where can i find the first song? I know is says the name at the end but where can i find it?

[@fabtuk550]

Only in MEXICO !!!!

[@twmpuketa]

Not dissin ya zack but Maybe not modern cooky cutter but certainly pre-modern cooky cutter. Im sure all our shaping forefathers have made dozens. Ryan on the other hand yes is somewhat of a pioneer

[@cameronmoller7335]

When did he go switch stance?

[@iraomar1]

He is a natural goofy footer. He was switch the whole time, as it says in the title. Which makes his regular stance surfing kinda goofy and really rad.

[@natethrive]

Them ashy knees need some lotion boiiiii

[@brickpig]

Good on him, but when will the hipster theme ease off. I only see this type of surfing as a step backward. Basically it's a trend.

[@caseylait7667]

This form of surfing is not a regression what so ever. Riding creative boards that show different ways to surf rather than the hi fy smacking the lip, copycat surfing that short boarders engage in is not a step backward. This guy filmed a whole video switch, not many shortboarders can do that.

[@rhidiandavies1991]

@@caseylait7667 You say that as if this style isn't copycat surfing. I don't agree with Troy that this surfing is a step backward, but I see where he's coming from in terms of the hipster alternative board trend that makes up 50% of surfing clips these days. Although the surfing style is beautiful, clips featuring them do tend to emphasise the alternative, hipster-hippy vibe more than the actual surfing itself.

[@toshjaoudi1302]

@@andymackenney I reckon good stuff can come out of it though. Ryan burches boards are fantastic and could help push surfboard design forwards as the asym stuff he tries out works quite well, and many of derrick dinseys boards are great as well. I think many of the hippie boards are more about making the board fun and less about performance.

[@sctim123]

Rhidian D welcome to the surf industry...

[@upsidedahead]

Ditch the board, go fins free, purist