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Eric Arakawa (@arakawasurfboards), the shaper for over ten World Champions, including Andy Irons, Jack Robinsons, and Michael and Derek Ho, joined me in this week’s Basis Surf Podcast episode to share his insights on shaping boards for these world-class surfers and to discuss how each board was crafted to help them perform at their best.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the Impact of Small Changes in Surfboard Design

03:02 The Importance of Balance in Board Performance

05:27 Refining Board Designs Based on Surfer Feedback

09:08 Analyzing Performance and Making Improvements

12:04 The Joy of Seeing Surfers Excel on Arakawa Boards

30:10 The Art of Last-Minute Board Changes

33:23 Shaping Boards for Pros

39:37 The Challenges and Rewards of Shaping Boards for Surfers

45:27 Building a Quiver: Considerations for Everyday Surfers

48:58 Delivering an Experience: Tailoring Boards to Customer Needs

55:31 The Importance of Teamwork in Shaping Boards

Subscribe for more interviews with pro surfers, coaches, shapers, and everyday surfers like Victor Bernardo, Matt Parker of Album Surf, Matt Meola, Ryan Lovelace, Noel Salas of Surf n Show, Kassia Meador, Clayton of Ombe Surf, Dylan Lightfoot, Derek Dunfee, Magnum Martinez, Isaac Stant, Nakoa Decoite, and more!

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