There is a difference between being a "shaper" and a "board builder" in my opinion. Simply put, a
shaper works with foam and when finished he/she hands the blank off to a glass shop. A good shaper
has a relationship with his/her glasser, hot coater, fin setter, and sander to help ensure their
shape comes out the way intended.
A Board Builder is a different breed. They shape, laminate, hot coat, set fins, sand and some foil there own fins. It is tiresome work but extremely rewarding in the sence you are fully involved with your creation. It takes mastering all different types of techniques and tools, knowledge that is passed down through generations by word of mouth, demonstration or trial & error. Tommy is a Board Builder.
Shaping and building surfboards takes a life time to master. There is never ending learning and I have the utmost respect for all who put a planer to foam or a squeege with resin. Being involved with everystep in creating a surfboard takes a lot of time, energy and hardwork and for those who do it all, I hold to the highest order.
I first met Tommy a few months ago when Daisy and I moved to Dana Point and I needed
a new shop to shape boards at. I had heard of him and seen his work before when he was working at the renowned LSD shop (Lamination San Diego). Finding out that he was working out of Resin Services in San Juan made it even more appealing to spend my time shaping there. His resume speaks for itself. Recently he has picked up foiling fins and I have been using them on boards. They are coming out insane. Tommy is a bright light in this new generation of surfboard builders and im glad to call him a friend and someone I aspire to have the level of attention to detail and craftsmanship.
We will be filming with him over the next bit and have some more in depth conversations to share,
but heres some moments from a recent hang and him cutting out and truing a 9'7 pintail noserider.
Dave Parmenter wrote an article on how to shape a surfboard in 1999 that I first read 20 years later when I started shaping. There is a quote at the end that has always stuck with me, and this is it:
"Probably every artist's studio or workshop has -- taked onto the walls -- some version of
"Probably every artist's studio or workshop has -- taked onto the walls -- some version of
the following adage: "The laborer works with his hands...The craftsman with his hands and
brain...The artist works with his hands, brain and soul..."
Which of these you as a shaper end up becoming depends on which of the above-listed
physical and emotional levers you choose to exert force upon"
 |
| A Kroll/Burch Agave/Foam creation |
To follow more of what Tommy is up to his instagram is linked here and
his shaping label Specialist Surfboards
No comments:
Post a Comment