**SIX SHAPERS SELECTED FOR RUSTY TRIBUTE IN MAY **
**World Class Group Set to Honor World Class Shaper at Boardroom Show**
**DEL MAR, Calif., February 27, 2015** – Six shapers will honor Rusty Preisendorfer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds May 16-17, 2015. Preisendorfer will be honored during the "Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off" presented by US Blanks at The Boardroom Surfboard Show, the surfboard industry’s one and only tradeshow.
The six shapers honoring "Rusty" during the competition are Stu Kenson (San Diego), Ward Coffey (Santa Cruz), Tim Stamps (Seal Beach), Chris Christenson (Cardiff-by-the-Sea), Dave Parmenter (San Luis Obispo) and defending champion Roger Hinds (Seal Beach). "I'm very honored to have these great craftsmen participating in the tribute," stated Preisendorfer, The Boardroom 2015 honoree. “Go ahead, make my board!”
Beginning in 1969 Rusty has been crafting precision surfboards for enthusiast surfers and world-class professionals such as Shaun Tomson, Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, Peter 'PT' Townend, Dave Parmenter, Mike Parsons, Nic Vaughn and Josh Kerr to name a few. Rusty joins the impressive list of Icons of Foam honorees Mike Diffenderfer, Bill Caster, John Bradbury, Dick Brewer, Renny Yater, Simon Anderson, Doug Haut, Carl Ekstrom, Mark Richards, Rich Price, Terry Martin and Ben Aipa.
"We are humbled and extremely stoked to honor surfer, shaper, and artist Rusty Preisendorfer," said Scott Bass, Executive Director of The Boardroom. "Since the show’s inception, all of the shapers that participate in the shape-off do so out of respect for the honoree, and the craft of surfboard shaping--a sacred craft. Passed down through the generations beginning in Polynesia and carrying on today with icons such as Rusty, as the spirit and culture of surfboard designing and manufacturing thrives in a constantly changing world of visionaries and new technologies."
**ICONS OF FOAM TRIBUTE TO THE MASTERS SHAPE-OFF presented by US Blanks**
Since 2007, tens of thousands of surfers (and non surfers) from around the world have descended upon Del Mar seeking the latest in surfboard design, surf equipment, and the craftsmen behind them. Attendees can browse isles of exhibits by shapers, laminators, artists and manufacturers. Each year the show highlights design theory, new technologies, Best in Show, exhibitions and competitions providing fun and excitement for all ages. Meet and greet/photo ops with pros and legends, surf memorabilia, accessories, art, music and much more.
The tradeshow is open to the public: Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $10. Those under 15 are free.
Both Saturday and Sunday the first 200 patrons in the door will be entered in a drawing for a new surfboard.
**THE BOARDROOM**
The history of our lifestyle is the history of the surfboard. Nothing has defined the surfing experience more than that on which we ride the waves. Nothing defines the surfer more than his (or her) surfboard. So much more than a tool, the surfboard has become a philosophical icon, a sacred craft, a culturally pervasive symbol of freedom, adventure and enduring youth. For more information visit www.boardroomshow.com
- Six shapers will each receive 1.5 hours in the shaping bay as they attempt to replicate a classic Rusty Preisendorfer shape: Occy ’84 Model
- Each shaper will bring in his own tools; blank and the outline template will be provided
- Shapers will only be able to measure and/or handle the board during the allotted 1.5 hours in the shaping bay - which is strictly timed
- Rusty, along with son Clint, will judge the anonymous blanks
- Winning shaper receives $1,000 and their name etched on the Mike Marshall Perpetual Trophy alongside past winners Ricky Carroll, Pat Rawson, Marc Andreini, Wayne Rich, Matt Biolos, Ward Coffey, Stu Kenson, Matt Calvani and Roger Hinds