I am very new to the industry (started about 6 months ago with a supplies distributor), but have been in the advanced composites arena for about 10 years, mostly in operations roles. I have always loved surfing and have fond memories of my uncle taking me down to San Onofre teach me to surf. He said it was the perfect place to learn and we rarely had more than a few guys in the water with us. So, I consider myself to be extremely blessed to work in an industry that has provided me so much happiness over the years.
Anyway, I have been looking for ways to understand the production techniques of surfboard construction and came across the class offering. I am not aspiring to be a shaper, glasser or am even remotely interested in selling surfboards, but I would like to gain a foundation for my new journey in this industry. Do any of you have any opinions on the value of this class? Do you think it would be worth my $120.00 and 16 weeks of dedication? Consider I have to commute from Lake Arrowhead to get there twice a week! I would appreciate any feedback you pros could give to a young rookie.
Anyway, I have been looking for ways to understand the production techniques of surfboard construction and came across the class offering. I am not aspiring to be a shaper, glasser or am even remotely interested in selling surfboards, but I would like to gain a foundation for my new journey in this industry. Do any of you have any opinions on the value of this class? Do you think it would be worth my $120.00 and 16 weeks of dedication? Consider I have to commute from Lake Arrowhead to get there twice a week! I would appreciate any feedback you pros could give to a young rookie.
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I wouldn't think they could teach you anything you couldn't learn by your own research, but then I don't know the class curriculum. Why not contact the instructor and find out what the class entails?
Cerritos has been a huge backer of Swaylocks. There have been a few seminars since Clark Foam passe away. Segway Ken, Resin research Greg, and a cast of others have all help bring surfboard makers into the 21 century. I would jump at the opportunity to listen and learn from others. First hand building and discussion kicks the ass out of this internet stuff. Sign up and take the class. Even if you only go once a week, you'll be light years ahead of 80% of the posters here on Swaylocks.
There is a lot of design and construction techniques that cannot be imparted on the internet or in a book. There's tons of stuff that has to be shown. I don't know how in depth they go, but I bet theres a lot of stuff to be learned. Unless you got 10-20 years to burn on trial and error....you can get your skill up to speed pretty quick, given you are handy with tools and a squeegee?
Sign up...It's $120..what's?... that something like 1 blank...or 17 six packs of beer. Or filling up your car with gas 2.5 times. Shit the more I think about it...$120 is a fricking steal of a deal. If you could pick up 3 or 4 tips it would be totally worth it.
Los Cerritos is one of coolest places I have ever surfed. It is in Baja Sur just south of Todos Santos… Caught it good on a big NW. The right point was gliding into a hollow beachbreak left right into the rip… And there was a bar on the beach… Perfect setup.
You will leave the class wanting more information. I have been involved with the Cerritos Composite Program for a number of years, and am always learning something new. In the class you will be able to build a board, and I do machine cut's for the class, (you pay for the blank) so you can ge started with glassing and finishing your board. I do a lesson on the AKU shaping program, and discuss other materials. I could go on and on, but strongly recommend the class...
If Ken teaching an AKU shaper segment, that alone is worth the $120. That man can extract more out of that machine than most. Have you ever seen the Stand up race paddle boards he does? Hell a little old surfboard is nothing compared to those multi-angled, scooped out deck, displacement hulled monsters.
Heck I'm in san Diego and i might sign up just for that part of the class, anything else I could get to would be a bonus.
I logged on to Swaylock's about 5 years ago. I met a Swaylock's member named Ben that surfed the same break as me. He invited me to a Bar-B-Que down in San Diego...I met a bunch of people.........Clark Foam closed and I end up at Cerritos College for a one day seminar....Fate would have it....I'm sitting next to Resinhead.....We did the ole tag team note taking.....We exchanged phone numbers....I call it net working......go to Cerritos!!! Anything can happen......
Hey Resinhead....that S cloth you scored last time is awesome !!!!!!
Careful what happens to you after Cerritos! I was at the same seminar as Ray (Stingray) and Resinhead. If you want to learn something take the class. If (Brian) surfteach is one of the instructors your will be in good hands. Ken (Segway) and Greg (Resin Research) make considerable contributions as well. 16 weeks is a full schedule of information that will help you to meet the objectives to achive your goals.
Thank you all for your insights. The class begins on August 18th (course number PMT67). It is scheduled for Tuesdays at 6:00PM until 10:00 PM. The cost is $26 per unit and it is a 2.5 unit class. I think after you pay for parking and some other administration fees it comes out to about $115. I found the info @ www.mfgskills.com in case any one else is interesetd. They try to keep the classes at about 25, so the sooner the better. I will definitely make plans to sign up for the course. Thanks for the help!
I went by Cerritos this evening to see the guest speaker Bruce Jones talk about shaping and glassing.
[img_assist|nid=1052518|title=Discussion|desc=Bruce talking about his shaping tools|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]
[img_assist|nid=1052515|title=Discussion|desc=Bruce talking about the materials|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]
[img_assist|nid=1052519|title=Discussion|desc=Bruce receiving a certificate of appreciation from Terry Price.|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]
[img_assist|nid=1052521|title=Discussion|desc=I got Bruce Jones to autograph a Hang Ten ad from the 70’s|link=none|align=left|width=492|height=640][img_assist|nid=1052520|title=Discussion|desc=Some new equipment in the classroom a 3 D printer|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480][img_assist|nid=1052522|title=Discussion|desc=3 D printer of side cutters|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=480]
Does anyone know what the name of the surfboard shaping class/course at class Cerritos College? I am having trouble finding any info on their website, and really want to take the class. Is this class still being taught? Also does anyone know if their are other classes anywhere else in CA? I would really love to take a class on hand shaping and the AKU shaper program.
The class just used fiberglass 100 for making surfboards. I’m not too sure if they’re making surfboards anymore. You can still use the class to build a surfboard on your own. You would have to talk to Terry Price to find out for sure.