Hello my name is Miles I’ve been trying to find local shapers in my area in Miami, Fl. But, so far my efforts have been effortless. I’ve talked to two shapers who shot me straight down, and replied to two which never cared to write me back. I’ve been dying to begin the learning process of shaping surfboards and the history of it all together. I have the up most respect for all the individuals in the profession from the small local shapers to the Rusty’s and Al Merrick’s. This year I made a surfboard out of a 2 by 4 of balsa wood it was about 7-8 inches in all. The little thing took me three full weeks of art class (laughing) and even after school to finally complete the mangled board. Just by going threw that little tiny process I saw not only the difficulty but the craftsmanship and preciseness it takes to be a shaper. IM someone who loves to be challenged especially when creativity and work is involved. If any shaper reading this around the Florida area or outside and would be interested in giving me a chance as there apprentice I would be greatly appreciate. As well, i would be a good student and you wouldn’t forget it . Thank you very much to anyone who might be reading this post IM leaving. Please leave comments if anyone would like to on the topic or anyone that could help me.
You could reach me on my cell phone (305)-336-4292 or if you’d like e-mail me at OoGfRiCoEoO@aol.com
Thank you again
Hi Miles
Your in an aprentership mate. Swaylocks is an excellent place to start. Though many of the guys might not be able to take on an apprentice do to financial contraints etc. Most if not all will freely part with any nowledge the have gained over the years. If you really want to do it go it alone and when you can get some info from the guys here or go in to a shaper for a few days and pick up some tips when this happens you will be blown away by some of the things you see.
This is the way I wish I had done it. I took the official root and am now sitting behind a desk and cant wait to get home to my workshop/shaping/glassing bay.
Oh and ride as many types of boards as you can.
Just my 2p worth
Hey Miles… If you can’t get a shaper to teach you I’ll suggest you to buy the Masters Shaper Series video… in it Jim (the Genius) Phillips will teach you all the basic and advanced concepts and techniques of the surfboard shaping art, also some amazing tools for shaping… this video is a masterpiece!
I bought it online at:
www.damascusproductions.com
I was lucky to have a shaping mentor to teach me …but to tell you the truth, I’ve learned more from this video than from him…
Cabeto
Thank you very much Cabeto and Swifty for the helpful information. Swifty your boards are amazing dude hopefully one day I’ll be able to send you to my website with pictures of my quiver. And Cabeto thank you as well for the website IM definitely going to look into buying it. Like you guys said IM still right now trying to find out as much as I possibly can about the background of shaping. I’ve been searching online for tutorials and videos. You guys think it would be good though to get together with a shaper though just to see the process live once or twice? Well, please right back if possible thank you guys very much. Oh and swifty if you ever begin to develop a team send me an e-mail I’d be very interested dude.
i just bought a Lion Surfboard used in Miami. The shop is located a block or two (take a left) after the burger king.
its in a kind of ambiguous area, big parking lot and shared building with flyer printer place
Yeah I know just the guy NYgarageshaper I’ve never talked to him personally. But, I’ve seen him on the beach and a friend of mine whose a pro surfer is friends with him. I haven’t tried asking him yet so IM going to. By any chance do you have his store number or address it would be helpful. Or even better do you know if he has a website or anything like that. Hopefully he’ll give me a chance and hear me out unlike the other shapers (lol). Thanks a lot dude for the helpful tip.
…sure if you can get to see the shaping process live… go for it… but remember you must know the concepts and theory in order to shape a good board… that is why I recommend Jim’s video…
I wish I could help you shape your board, but I live in Costa Rica…
Good luck with your shaping… enjoy it to the max…
Cabeto
You live in Costa Rica Cabeto that’s awesome dude what part? It’s so nice over there and peaceful I might be going over there to study abroad. Depending if my school allows it for the courses im taking.
Pura vida fausurf… I live in Heredia province which is like 1hour drive from the beach (Hermosa or Jacó)…
Let me know if you are coming… we can shape some boards together…
Costa Rica is very beautiful and we have very consistent waves yearound…
Take a look at some of our surfing spots… this is my website, still working on it:
http://www.costaricavacationonline.com/surf.htm
Cabeto
Yeah dude yo se todo de Costa Rica. My dad wants to retire over there dude. My family originates from Cuba and Spain so I know about the island style living it’s a blast. If you do travels to Costa Rica send me information I wanted to go down there for about a week with her this year. As well, her dad owns 5 acres of black pebble beach over there I think in Hermosa. How cool is that dude thank dude for everything.
Sorry for the typo when I said her I was referring to my g/f. We both wanted to go down there for about 6-10 days depending on the cost.