My Shaping experience is few small, however surfing experience and enthusiasm comes in abundance. To be honest surfing is my life’s passion. I’m looking to get my foot in the door in the UK or abroad within a shaping environment. My aim is to be a top shaper after extensive learning however appreciate I cant just teach myself but shall need some guidance. Any help or information would really be appreciated. I’ve already picked up a planer and knocked up a few boards but have a need and desire to do better and learn from those willing to teach.
im sure you will find plenty of willing teachers , who would be glad to pass on all the hard earned experience and knowledge to set up a fellow business and shaper to compete with in there ever diminishing trade …
Both Bert and Chip are right. Every shaper I’ve known doesn’t have much time for teaching others, or the inclination. It’s very ego driven.
Do what you are doing now and just keep making them. It may seem a long road, but it’s the best way to get your own experience. If you are good enough it will come in time.
Think yourself lucky you have swaylocks to turn to, most of us never did. There are more than enough designer/shapers here to pass experienced critique and comments, good or bad, whether you like it or not.
I’m new to Swaylocks as well, although I’ve been lurking for sometime. Also new to shaping and glassing and I appreciate all the information that I’ve gotten from here, but also, I have a friend who’s been shaping and glassing for many years and he has/is taking some time to teach me for which I can’t express enough gratitude… So I guess just keep at it and maybe you’ll find someone who’ll help teach you what you want to learn and also a thanks for everyone that helps others learn this art.
I started building surfboards in 1969 at age 19, no wife or children to support… the good news and the bad news is that this buisness has no surfboard builders union you can or have to join, i t was easy in 1969 to get people to pay me for the material to make them a free surfboard, so my education only cost me my time…i’ve always considered my best “teachers” to be the people that i made the boards for…just try to be willing to listen and learn…at 55 years old, living here on the north shore of oahu, i’m still in your same shoes i think… trying to learn all i can, have a great ride!, and God bless, danny