I'm only 20, so my range of influence is probably a lot shorter than most. Some respects to the older generation though, I probably idolize Terry Martin and Carl Ekstrom the most. I'm blown away with the amount of calculating and science towards hydrodynamics that Ekstrom used towards his asym's. Then I also dont know if I've seen much more beautiful boards than what Terry can do with a planer and some resin. Being a younger guy though, I draw a more direct inspiration out of people like Tyler Warren (once again drawing back to Terry Martin really), Ryan Lovelace, the crew of Deus Ex Machina....can't forget Gene Cooper, Michel Junod, Tyler Hatzikian....Local shapers around town like Mike Whisnant, Clay Bennet, Tommy Harden, Josh Autrey....way too many great people to name for me
I probably would have Ben Aipa shape me a board. I really enjoy talking story with him when I see him out in the water. Trying to pick his brain for design stuff and talking about the old days and whats happening now. What I admire about his ability is his versatility. He anything from a kneeboard, retro longboard to cutting edge potato chips. I probably would order a fun shape of sorts in the 7 foot range.
I have always liked shapes from guys who surf well and are good blokes too ( for me, more important than reputation or how big the label is, or what pros ride their boards…)
Stumpy Wallace …step-nose
Mick Grace…step-deck
Millsy - does great channells
Cain Pridmore …only shaped 5 but can’t wait for my son to make me a board
Bob Pridmore …my late father, I have a few of his shapes from early 70’s
Allan Byrne, channell master…, a Willis Bros dimple bottom, maybe something from Surffoils too, love his different take on stuff…SA just coz he is an Oz ledgend and Steve Del Rosso will do me a sled one day, top bloke…and Digger, love his enthusiasm and am testing out one of his shapes soon…there’s plenty others and am sure I’ll think of MORE soon…yep, thought of some MORE…Maurice Cole, like his take on design especially the borrowing of tow board ideas and also open enough to dabble in the assymetrical stuff…Burch and co. interest me, always doing diff stuff…and diff is good…
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As far as pro shapers... probably Toby Pavel
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He does a very clean looking Board. I especially like his Gun shapes
I’d get another 5-fin fish, an exact copy of what he made my brother when he first started Sunset Point/Greg Griffin surfboards
I’d get a couple of boards from Downing, a newer version of the slipah with the flatter bottom under the nose, and a board specially made for really big Waikiki.
All the boards I’ve bought from Downing were great. The 5-fin Fish from GG is special.
Otherwise, I’m happy riding the boards I make for myself.
Bernie Crouch (Mad Dog) “Supernose”
Favorite shaper? Anyone who can actually return a phone call or answer an email, what a concept right?
I’d like Resinhead to make me a board like this one…
FANTASTIC SWIRL FRANCOIS …
For just standard boards, Jason Stevenson all the way. If you look at one of his boards up and down, they have this odd ‘flawless’ quality about them, where the deck foil, rocker, rails, everything are completely seamless. I cant find an angle at which any part his boards looks ‘funky’. I always bring a JS out with me when I’m mowing foam so I know what to shoot for…
ResinHead shaped the orange flame board for me. A really really good board. I trust it anywhere. It has a little brother in blue that's 7'5". It's a keeper as well. We're talking now about a 9' or so semi gun for Ca. Jay knows what he's doing.....'cept for that seal thing. Paranoia strikes deep....
oh yeah, he's my favorite shaper. Long Live the Underground.
Couple years ago spent a lot of time after/before work surfing Lighthouse whenever the south’s were filling in…main local burly domo out there was ripping the place apart on a chunky, wide Aipa probably around 8’0 or a bit shorter…said he rode it on any sized wave…
Hey yorky, you ever made another bonzer mate, just wondering, cause that little blue number you made was just bloody classic…
I think we just discovered Barry’s ghost shaper! Chimps with planers now that is the future of Board Building. Ever watch planet of the Apes? That was also the future.
“Chimps with planers now that is the future of Board Building”
Chimps with planers is the alternate name for swaylocks
So, where is Cheetah, now that we need him ? I’m sure he would bring new zeal and energy to the craft !
" Hey,hey we’re the Monkeys People say Monkey around but we’re to busy shaping to put anybody down. "
Bob Moore or Bruce Grant. Both gone now so I’ll have to look for a new shaper.
favorite shaper has got to be Chandler he only shapes boards one way - the right way
