I have recently moved from Santa Cruz, CA to Honolulu to go to UH. I have been shaping for about two years and i have shaped 55 boards. I was wondering if any one knows who i should contact over here that would possibly give me a job shaping or just cleaning up their shaping room.
Aloha localstyle - I was in your shoes back in ‘96… Moved from Santa Cruz, had a few boards under my belt (way fewer than you though), moved to Honolulu to surf and try to get into the surfboard industry. Found it a little bit more difficult than I had anticipated. Tried several of the companies through my friends’ connections. The bigger names said I would have to start at the bottom (sweeping floors) like the rest of the guys coming in. That would have been fine if I was a grom living at home with the parents. Not so good for paying the rent and putting food on the table though, working for minimum wage… Tried a couple of the ‘smaller’ guys. Almost got in with one of them (Papa He’e Nalu) but for some reason they didn’t last for more than a few months. But that’s not to say that it can’t be done. Like Lee said - flip through the phone book and get out there and talk to people. I always like the face-to-face better than the phone call - harder for them to just brush you off and say they don’t need anybody. Another tip from one of the guys who worked for Schaper - bring your handiwork with you. That way they have something to look at that you have done. Otherwise, they have no idea what your skills/qualifications are. There’s several Honolulu guys on Swaylocks - maybe they’ll chip in their 2 cents. Good luck…
make friends with everyone over at the local surf shop…they’re the best intermediary between the manufacturers and the public. or just visit a few local shapers (in person would be better than the phone). good luck.