My first shaping attempt

General Discussion
1

Well here goes.

Unfortunately I don’t have pictures of the entire process like Figure 8’s project egg

or Journey of a quad by Oldy. Love those threads guys.

I decided after 30 or so years of surfing it was time to shape my own board. I’ve

always been kinda pragmatic.

I hooked up with DrewTang that posts here. He has a rental bay at his factory. So I

was working in the best possible conditions and lighting.

Watched Drew shape a board as I was wishing I had at least seen, Shaping 101.

Not to worry, I’ve been surfing forever, it should come natural at this point.

Right??

Drawing the outline was easy enough, cutting it wasn’t too bad. Full of confidence

I reached for the planer. That was the end of anything considered, easy.

I made a few passes and managed to remove most of the rocker. Oops.

The rest of the board was done with a sureform. Confidence was totally shot and I just

went on auto pilot. I know what a surfboard is supposed to feel like.

Every once in a while I would pick up the blank. “Feel” it and continue with the sureform

Eventually it resembled a surfboard. Then I worked on the tail and wings.

Drew was kind enough to offer his glassing services (for a reasonable price) and I have

had the board for 3 days now.

I’ve ridden it each day in glassy but super small conditions.

Overall the board is kinda “corky” and hard to get on a plane.

But on the bright side it turns on a dime.

Bottom of board

Tail

Deck

Thanks to everybody here at sways. I have been lurking for a year or so and learned

enough to at least attempt this, and walk out with reasonable results.

I have found the “Keep swaylocks alive” button at the bottom of the page also!

Was gonna start a new board today but ended up with a HWS kit from ebay.

I’m having a great summer.

2

Looks pretty darn good for winging it! I like the pelican…

3

I have found the “Keep swaylocks alive” button at the bottom of the page also!

And now you are blessed my child…tell a friend.

ps…nice stick too!!!

4

riddim: your board looks sweet mate. just awesome. good on you. you must be stoked.

i know what you mean by ‘feeling’ your way along the process. it’s the same for me after shaping twenty plus boards, i measure everything i can up to a point but after that as the curves build shaping for me becomes very organic & tactile. it’s sculpture after all, more art than science.

i hope you get the chance to get it into some solid waves soon & that it goes better than you could hope for. happy surfing.

5

Thanks TedZ, Herb and Oldy.

I learned alot on this board. I guess the learning curve is pretty steep

for a while.

Hopefully number 2 isn’t too far away.

6

board looks great except for the PETA sticker.