It was a passable attempt I think. It had a potato print logo and fixed fins, I may even have a picture of me with it somewhere. Apart from shaping, glassing and sanding the boards we used to screen print all our own decals and lay up our own fins because all fins were fibreglass and fixed at the time. Then fin systems came in and things got a lot easier.
What’s your motivation for continuing with it?
I think we are manufacturing at the highest level we have ever achieved at the moment and that makes me pretty good. So as long as I feel we are pushing the boundaries of our own craftsmanship and people still want to buy what we are making I’m sure I’ll keep going. Of course fear of failure can also be surprisingly motivating!
Heroes and helpers along the way?
I know it’s corny but can I say my staff, my wife and my friends? You know who you are.
Other shapers who have influenced your shapes?
I like to look closely at the origins of each board design. If you want to shape a fish for example it’s good to know exactly what Steve Lis has done. Likewise Skip Fry for Classic longboards etc. You can take your pick with shortboards. Otherwise I suppose the key to successful shaping is having the ability to learn. Learn from the past and keep learning as you go along.
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