September 28, 2022

Jon Pyzel on Shaping the World's Best Surfboards, John John Florence & Innovation in Surfboard Design Interview with The Temple of Surf - The Podcast

1 hour 6 minutes

In this episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, we sit down with one of the most influential surfboard shapers of the modern era, Jon Pyzel. From his early days growing up in Santa Barbara, California, to becoming the head shaper behind Pyzel Surfboards on the North Shore of Oahu, Jon shares his journey, shaping philosophy, and the creative process behind some of the most iconic surfboards in the world.

Jon talks about how his passion for surfing led him naturally into surfboard shaping, learning the craft from the ground up through ding repair, hands-on experience, and mentorship. After moving to Hawaii in the early 1990s, he immersed himself in the North Shore surf scene, where performance, innovation, and respect for the ocean go hand in hand. These formative years shaped his approach to design and craftsmanship, blending intuition, experimentation, and deep ocean knowledge.

One of the defining chapters of Jon's career is his lifelong collaboration with John John Florence. What began as shaping boards for a young grom evolved into a partnership that helped redefine high-performance surfing. Jon reflects on how working closely with an elite surfer pushed him to constantly refine his designs, respond to feedback, and stay ahead of the curve as surfing evolved. Together, they developed surfboards that performed at the highest level in the most demanding conditions around the world.

Throughout the conversation, Jon opens up about the balance between tradition and innovation in surfboard shaping. He explains how modern materials, feedback from professional surfers, and real-world testing influence his designs, while still honoring the soul of hand-shaped boards. He also discusses the challenges of scaling a surfboard brand while maintaining quality, authenticity, and connection to surf culture.

This episode dives deep into what truly makes a great surfboard, the relationship between surfer and shaper, and why craftsmanship still matters in an era of mass production. Jon shares stories from decades in the shaping bay, lessons learned from failures, and the mindset required to stay inspired in a constantly evolving surf industry.

Whether you are a surfer, surfboard shaper, or simply fascinated by the culture behind surfing, this conversation offers rare insight into the mind of a master craftsman. Jon Pyzel's story is one of dedication, creativity, and respect for the ocean, and this episode captures the passion that continues to drive him to shape boards for the world's best waves and surfers.

#JonPyzel, #PyzelSurfboards, #SurfboardShaper, #SurfboardDesign, #JohnJohnFlorence, #SurfCulture, #SurfPodcast, #TheTempleOfSurf, #SurfingInnovation, #NorthShore, #HawaiiSurfing, #SurfingHistory, #HighPerformanceSurfboards, #SurfboardCraftsmanship, #SurfLife, #SurfingCommunity

...more