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.
Thanks,
Drew Carson
I’d start with a flipping fingers tour of the phonebook, under surfboards.
After that, I’d try sailboards, windsurfboards, kiteboards, and skim boards.
Visit them all, meet some peeps, keep a positive attitude, might try volunteering some time too.
Chances are, there will be some sanding/glossing/taping jobs open, so having semi multiple board making skills is a +.
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.
…i think, that in the surf industry is not easy to obtain a job if you only do 55 shapes…
but if you knock several factory doors with some of your works and youve got in mind how much time takes every step, you ll got posibileties…
you know, the pro market is all about production so time is essential, and for doing an excellent work by chronometer its not easy…