Who was it that influenced you the most? Design wise? Surfing wise? Use of tools? Who showed you ‘‘the ropes?’’ Who guided you directly, or by example? I would think we all have at least one. Me, I was influenced by five surfer/shapers. All, with the exception of one, were guys that I surfed with on a regular basis.
Terry Martin. When I was young he took the time to show me how he did things, and tell me the why’s and how’s. Very kind and giving of his time, I only wish I would have taken advantage of the opportunity I had.
Because these guys have my gratitude and they deserve recognition: Tim Bowler, Glen Kennedy, Greg Liddle, Tim Phares, Mike Casey, and Chuck Andrus. All for different reasons but Bowler and Kennedy were the first I watched do it all. Even blowing (or trying to) their own foam.
A visit to the Heritage Surfboards factory when I was 12 years old to visit my father’s childhood friend Dan Heritage had a huge effect on me. That tour of his operation is what got me hooked on the idea of making my own boards even though it would be another 6 years before I actually got to give it a try.
My father was a carpenter and growing up I was always in the garage tinkering with tools, taking things apart or building stuff.
Design wize I’m still stuck in the early 90s with the magic boards I was riding that were made by Richard Price at Natural Art.
Nobody showed me the ropes as far as building boards. I’m entirely self taught. Started out long before the internet with a green book I ordered out of the back of a surfing magazine. It was an earlier version of this book.
Lanny Shuler in Seaside Oregon, let me hang out for the weekend and observe him build a board for my wife. He even let me help laminate it. After that, I went home, bought a habor freight planer and got to work. I have since upgraded to better tools, better technique, and am having a damn fine time making surfamaboards for myself and others.
Bob Moore . You will find him on Surfers shapers tree under Velzy . Could not have asked for a more knowledgeable mentor . One of a kind , truly a character .