Working with a Shaper

I am about to start the process of getting my first custom board made. In the past, I have always got boards off the rack.

My question is: what is the best way to work with a shaper? How much detail do they need to make a board for me? How much freedom? I have an interest in board design but have never made a board. Do I state features that I’m considering or simply tell them how much I weight, how tall I am, age, where and how I surf, and what I want out of the board?

I want to get a good board that matches what I’m looking for but I don’t want to get in the way of the process. A little advice from the Swaylockians would be helpful.

If you tell him what you want, then ask him how that sounds. I know I’ve been in the automotive industry and some guy will come in with 1/2 of what he needs to know. He’ll end up with a price tag 2x as much, but a car only 1/2 as fast as it could of been for the same $$$. If you want to surf a certain board, by all means a custom board is a custom board. Have him make exactly what you want.

my advice is to tell him what you want, but still allow him the freedom to produce a good board for you. if you have enough surfing experience to determine the proper size, width, thickness, bottom shape, etc…then do it. give him all the info that you’ve got to give and i’m sure you’ll get it in return. what i would NOT do is stand over his shoulder as he’s shaping it saying “hmmm…can we go a little thinner here, a little wider there, more curvy, deeper concave, etc…” this would frustrate him and you. even if you were shaping a board yourself, my advice would essentially be the same: plot out your GENERAL points, and then just let the rest flow naturally.

Great question…you are a smart dude to ask it.

The most under emphasized element in design is the rider’s style. How well do you surf? Who best represents your ideal surfing style (for me its Tom Curren). Are you a backfoot, frontfoot or bothfoot surfer? Do you prefer smooth carving or aggressive pumping? How vertical/horizontal do you surf?

What types of waves will you be riding?

Describe the ideal ride on an average day.

Describe the ideal ride on an great day.

Are you willing to compromise wave catching for surfing performance and vice versa?

To me its a lot more than your short vs long, your weight, etc. Second to wave conditions, YOUR ABILITY is most important.

…Sometimes I pretend I’m a crosss-up of Chris Ward/Kelly Slater/Reno Abellira…

…then I wake-up to cold water 2 hours later in my bath tub.Herb

DANGER+OPPORTUNITY=CRISIS tm.

I tell my shaper I surf just like Gerry Lopez only better and with more style.

Im kidding. I’m my shaper now and I was going to suggest begin the process of shaping your own boards and being your own shaper. It’s very satisfying.

Didn’t Reno Aberllira shape some of his own boards?

Pick someone who is approachable.

Have general outline and board thickness in mind but accept what the pro says is best.

Know what kind of tail shape you want but be ready to be told something else will work better for you.

Have some idea of what kind of rocker you want and be sure you have looked carefully at the shapers work and what kind rocker he puts in his boards.

Talk over the rail and bottom configuration unless you know you want the shaper to just do his thing. As an example, Michel Junod shaped a longboard for me about a year and a half ago. I told him how big of a board I wanted and gave him some general specks. I stood back and watched him work in amazement. It was like watch a professional dancer. What the guy can do with a planer is unbelievable. The board is the most versatile board I’ve ever ridden. I asked him a few questions along the way and he was very generous with his time and information.

If you going to be there when the board is shaped stay out of the way and remember that you have to respect the process so speak or ask questions between stages of production.

If you find an accomplished craftsman you’ll end up with a real treasure.

Mahalo, Rich

Thanks for the help. I got a clearer picture of what I need to communicate. I’m looking forward to the process. I think I’m going to have the board made by Cort Dion in Oregon. I’ve heard good things about his boards and I was impress during my brief conversation with him.

SF

Right on! I was HIGHLY impressed with Cort Gions boards (on the rack, have yet to ride one, but they OOZED quality and attention to detail) during my last Oregon trip. I’m going to try to get together with him next week to talk about shaping my next board.

7/10