Behind the Shaper with John Robertson

Behind the Shaper is a new Lipped series presented by Surf Visual and Urbnsurf John Robertson (known universally as Robbo) is a throwback to the golden age of surfer shapers.  From his beloved "playground" Robbo is constantly testing and refining boards and his own understanding of what works when. Also a throwback is the classic Australian shaper and retail set-up at Strapper surfboards.  There's something quintessentially Australian about buying a Robbo from Strapper knowing that the bloke that made it, did so less than 20 metres from where you're standing. Even better you know it's full of the passion and experience, built by the guy in the local stores, who loves the local waves that he's been surfing his whole life. The first instalment of Behind The Shaper features well-known and underground shapers from Victoria’s iconic Surf Coast, a birthplace of surfing culture, industry and craftsmanship regarded around the world. What started out as a small project quickly ballooned into a 80 page magazine with photography by Ed Sloane and the construction of custom surfboards to be ridden by the shapers in URBNSURF Melbourne’s lagoon later in 2019.    To pre-order a copy of Behind The Shaper, for more info on the series, to score tickets to the gallery exhibition and for your chance to win a ‘Golden Ticket’ to surf with the 12 shapers at URBNSURF Melbourne later this year check out www.behindtheshaper.com