Hi everyone, this is my first post of hopefully many on these boards!
My name is Travis, I’m a 23 year old bartender/surfer from North Orange County and surfing is my life (As I’m sure it is everyone’s on this site!).
Bottom line: I’ve been wanting to learn how to shape surfboards for a long time now. It’s just now that I’ve decided to take initiative and do something.
I’m hoping to find someone on here who can maybe take me under their wing and show me the world of shaping surfboards from step one. Maybe make a friend or two along the way. I’d be willing to help out around the shop, buy supplies, pay for breakfast/lunch, whatever! I’m looking forward to it!
You mean these guys never even brought over beers or other
refreshments?
Thats really sad, but not altogether unexpected.
In reality, if one cant use internet resources/DVD’s/etc to get themselves started and do at least one board then they dont really have the fever and its a bad call as a complete stranger to get involved.
Is true that if you want to learn about shaping boards, there is a lot of information in the internet, you can go to youtube and watch the process of building a surfboard, that should help you to get a better idea of the beauty of shaping
i’m doing much shaping right now due to a shoulder injury, but if you are ever in the SF area you are more than welcome to see the shop
Otis, no I’m not looking for someone to hold my hand, that would be ridiculous. I didn’t sign up for this board just to take advantage of people by gaining their knowledge. I signed up to hopefully grow as a shaper on here with everyone else. However, thanks for the advice on getting some DVD’s. I didn’t know there were any out there. I will take a look online tonight. Again, thank you for the advice!
McDing, yeah a bar tab could be in the works haha.
Ken, I’m sorry to hear that, it’s a bummer. I think if you’re getting something so great as a favor, you should take a little more time to do more than a “Thank you.” Hell my car mechanic get’s a 6 pack of guiness just for changing my oil. You give and get! Hopefully I’ll talk to you in 6 months.
Travis ----Well in that case; The best piece of advice I can give you is stay with this website. For awhile just let your mind soak up the things, theories and secrets that you see posted here. Think about what you hear and the above all else Visualize it being done. Do as (previously advised) one board based on what you learn here. Surfboard shaping and building are above all else a “hands-on” experience. The simplest is just a plain Polyurethane/Polyester board. That process will familiarize you with basic tools, shaping room, glassing etc. Don’t sweat it if you screw it up. The next one will be better. Use the Swaylock archive for particuliar questions relating to each step of the process. We who have been here for awhile tend to be impatient with repititous questions that could easily be looked up in the archives. I’ll put myself out on a limb and say that you are free to PM me with questions that you may need to ask but don’t feel comfortable enough to post. Remember “Bar-tab”. Ha! Ha! Seriously though I work thru a glassing shop in Westminister and will be there this spring and can maybe show you a few “hands-on” things. So start with the basics and figure out your workspace and tools. Foam EZ in Westminster is a good place to start. Go in there and talk to Brad. Lowel AKA Little Hawaii Surf Designs------- Maui
I’d say seek out the board builders in your area and go visit. See if you can get part time work. If you want guidance go seek out where the boards are actually being built. Ask around and find them. If you find a place that you really want to work and they say no the first time they might say yes eventually if you really show persistence in your want to work in the surfboard industry.
