In this episode, Luke Howarth from Howie shapes and I discuss the subtleties of a surfboard foil or profile.  The distribution of foam in a surfboard is often overlooked but it can have a big impact on how your board performs.

We chat about the evolution of foil in a surfboard and how it relates to the different styles of boards.  I ask Luke about what he thinks of 'swing weight' which is a term commonly used in discussing bigger boards and explain why I prefer to focus on 'momentum'.

You cannot talk about surfboard foils without discussing the various deck designs available such as s decks, single concave and double concave decks as well as the Greg Webber 'Crinkle cut' design that melted social media.

Ultimately, we end up discussing flex and who we see as the shapers pushing the boundaries.  Flex is difficult to measure in a surfboard and how we want the board to flex for optimum performance changes for different waves.  Luke shares his experiences with stringerless EPS boards, his research and development process and how he applies carbon on them.

Surfboard foil is not talked about enough but hopefully our chat will stimulate some further discussion.

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In this episode I chat with Scott James from SJS Custom.

Scott first appeared on my radar through social media.  The boards he was creating and the way he was presenting them really stood out amongst the many.

It piqued my interest.  I was keen to chat with Scott to hear more about his back story and it did not disappoint.  Scott grew up in the town of Dunedin on the very south coast of New Zealand.  He told me how he fell in love with the curves of a surfboard and sought out the local craftsman to learn.

Sourcing surfboard materials was difficult and the idea of making surfboards a career was more like a dream.  Scott pursued a trade and ignored his love for making surfboards for more than two decades.

Then... Scott made some big life changes, including moving to the Gold Coast of Australia.  The passion for making surfboards had become too much and he made it his career.  

I really enjoyed my conversation with Scott as he is a one-man operation and works hard to refine his craft.  His attention to detail and willingness to try different things or take risks is very familiar to me.

A sliding doors moment led Scott to find a solution to a design idea that had been formulating in his brain.  The way in which he could apply vee and various combinations of concave was now clear to him... the 'Scoop' bottom was created.

In addition to making custom surfboards for customers Scott also hosts people who wish to make their own surfboard or refine their surfboard making skills. 

Please note we did experience some minor internet difficulties, but I am sure you will still enjoy our chat.

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In this episode I catch up with Gary McNeill from Gary McNeill Concepts.

I first met Gary when I was working on the Gold Coast nearly 20 years ago.  From the very first meeting I found him to be friendly, dedicated, talented and a real individual pursuing his own path.

Gary grew up surfing competitively, but a few changes in life would motivate him to move from Wollongong to the Gold Coast.  He started working for Nev surfboards.  Soon after starting work, he was promoted to production manager at a time when Nev was one of the biggest surfboard brands in Australia.

In the years that followed, Gary would be poached by DHD and JS before deciding to focus on his own surfboard brand.  After a couple of decades surrounded by high performance surfboards, Gary wanted something different.  His first step was joining the Formula Energy surfboard family until he decided he wanted 100% control of his surfboards.

It took two years of research and development with the highly talented Dave Rastovich to establish his surfboard range.  It was during this time that Gary and Dave explored the Taurus channel, a design so good that Gary cannot believe more people are not doing them.  Gary continues to design without constraints and is always producing something new like the 'Frankenfish'.

Gary provides a bit of information from behind the scenes of STAB's - Electric Acid Surfboard Test, his journey with flax cloth as well as a few tips and tricks on how to use it best.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Gary McNeill.  

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In this episode we catch up with Damien Cole, former CEO of Varuna surfboards.

The surfboard industry is a fickle beast; it owes nobody anything and we are regularly reminded of this.  Earlier this year Varuna surfboards closed its doors for the last time.  Varuna surfboards was a new type of wooden construction with a focus on reducing the environmental impact as well as improving the lives of Indonesians who had experienced large scale deforestation.

It was great to catch up with 'Damo' and discuss his colorful journey over the last several years.  You see, Damo was not your typical CEO that exists in a world of buzz words and networking soirees.  Damo is grass roots.

After embarking on a career in the mines, he pivoted into environmental science, which subsequently led to him putting his hand up as an independent candidate in the local state election.  If that was not taxing enough, he agreed to become an organiser in the 'Fight for the Bight' campaign - a movement against oil drilling exploration in the southern waters of Australia.

Damo experienced two severe brain injuries over the last few years.  He talks about going through some tough times and dark moments in his recovery.  His resilience is only matched by his intelligence, and I have nothing but respect for what he has achieved.  Unfortunately, the timing of his last head injury could not have come at a worst time and the realisation of how big a task Varuna was, had become clear... it was time to call it a day.

I really hope you enjoy our chat.

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In this episode I chat with Sergio Gomez from Gomez surfboards.

Sergio grew up on the coast of Argentina.  The town was rather large, but surfing was considered counterculture and there were only two surf shops.  Sergio fell in love with surfing and on one occasion when his board was being repaired, he borrowed his friend's brother's board.

The board went amazing!  It was like no other board he had ever ridden, and he took up the challenge to find out why?  Sergio learnt how to shape, glass and sand surfboards and as a young adult began to travel.  He searched for the waves he had seen in the magazines and happily discovered it coincided with local surfboard industries.

Many years have passed, and many surfing destinations have been crossed off his list.  Sergio is currently residing on the west coast of Victoria and shapes all types of surfboards.  During our conversation Sergio talked about various construction types he has explored and his interest in the pursuit of more sustainable materials.

Speaking with Sergio, it's clear he is a very creative person and the decision to create a book about surfboard design is less surprising.  The result is over 300 pages of a rich photographic gallery with surfboard design presented in an easy way to understand.

The book is called ' Shape Shifter' and I would encourage you to grab a copy, you will not be disappointed.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Sergio Gomez.

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In this episode I chat with Dylan Perese from DP surfboards and inventor of the soon to be released 'Leashbar'.

Dylan caught the bug for shaping in his early teens and instantly knew this was what he wanted to do.  A couple of years later he left school to focus on surfboards and never looked back.

A member of a thriving surf community south of Sydney as well as an opportunity to work with Graham King was all he needed to establish himself a solid reputation for making great boards.  Speaking with Dylan it is clear he is very determined, meticulous and business savvy.

I caught up with Dylan after he recently consolidated his glassing factory and showroom to a new space in Bulli.  Any praise he receives for the quality of his boards is quickly shared with his team with whom he has great respect.

Dylan is also the creator of the soon to be released 'Leashbar'.  A new type of leg rope plug that allows the user to attach their leg rope to the board using the rail saver and eliminate the need for a string.  I predict this will be a game changer for the surfboard industry.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Dylan Perese.

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In this episode, I chat with Daniel Hawes from Shapers Collective, New Zealand.

Howie and I recently discussed the feedback we received about the difficulties currently facing shapers around the world.  Shortly after hearing our chat, Daniel reached out to share a business model he is implementing. 

An Australian expat living in a town named Mangawhai, tucked right up in the north of New Zealand.  After establishing Small Kine Ding Repairs many years ago, it was uncommon for him to come across New Zealand shaped surfboards in his factory.  Daniel had crossed paths with many shapers in New Zealand and heard about many more. 

He explained to me how many of the local shapers are not supported by the surf shop boutiques and instead carve out a living doing custom orders.  Daniel was motivated and felt compelled to try and promote local shapers.  It wasn't long before he found himself evaluating space in his factory and deciding to build a retail space.

The new showroom would be named the Shapers Collective NZ and instead of the traditional surf shop business model, Daniel came up with the idea to charge a one-off fee for a rack space.  This fee would subsidize his rent, and the shaper could curate and manage the rack space.

His idea quickly expanded to include local manufacturers and owners of fins surfboard wax, board bag and more.  Daniel wanted to support as many local New Zealand surf industry businesses as he could.  His passion for surfing and pride in locally made is undeniable.

There are many twists and turns ahead for Daniel establishing Shapers Collective NZ but we certainly wish him all the best.

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In this episode, I chat with Wayne Roach from Roach Approach surfboards.

Wayne's story is a classic tale about a boy that fell in love with surfing at a young age and developed a passion for surfboards.  Wayne or 'Roachy' as he is more commonly known, was a product of the bustling surf industry in Cronulla during the 70's and 80's.

Roachy worked under multiple brands including Jackson, Southern Comfort, and Force 9 before jetting around the world to shape.   An avid surfboard designer who played a big part in the creation of the four fin surfboard.  During this time Roachy was competing at a high level and would work with some of the great surfers in history.

 He finally established his own brand - Roach Approach in the 90's.  Roachy moved to Torquay in the early 2000's and it was there that he attained one of his greatest desires and win an Australian title.

Throughout our conversation Roachy was keen to point out the many people that have contributed to his rich and colourful life.  He is still enthusiastic about shaping boards and told me he is travelling to remote Indonesia this year for a surf trip.

Please note, I recorded this chat a year ago but unfortunately have been pressed for time.  At the time Bennet Foam had recently closed. 

I hope you enjoy my chat with Wanye Roach!

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In this episode, Luke 'Howie' Howarth and I discuss the alluring and sexiest design aspect of a surfboard... Rails. 

Rails come in all shapes and sizes to best satisfy the shaper's accompanying design ideas.  The perfect rail is different for different styles of surfboards.  We discuss some of the shaper's rails that we like as well as what makes a bad rail in our opinion.

I throw a few different rail designs at Luke to get his ideas as well as give an insight into deck channels or ' love handles' and what I learnt from master craftsman = William 'Stretch' Riedel.

We did try to restrict the amount of jargon used when discussing rails but they are very personal and we rely on adjectives to try to paint a picture for listeners.

We hope you enjoy our chat and please be sure to like and subscribe to show your support.

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In this episode we speak with Dan Thomson from Tomo Surfboards.

Dan is arguably the most creative surfboard designer of the last 20 years.  The art of surfboard shaping and designing was handed down from his father, Mark Thomson.  Dan and his father would discuss all aspects of hydrodynamic theory to improve their understanding of real surfboard design.

In the mid 2000's Dan moved to America after a chance encounter that led to him riding a selection of 'fish' boards from some of the industry's best.  Around the same time Dan was thinking a lot about the 'Golden Rule' or Fibonacci sequence and how it could be applied it to his surfboard designs.  It wasn't long before this way of designing boards made complete sense to him and the idea of what surfboards may look like in the future became clear.

The result was a series of boards such as the Vanguard, Deathstar and Vader.  Dan's creativity over the next 10-15 years was some of the most prolific in surfboard history.  If you look at his various model in his range, nearly every board is unique with its own purpose.

When Dan teamed up with Firewire the racks in surf shops seemed to change overnight and looked very different with an array of plan shapes, rockers, concaves and channels.  I was really excited to speak with Dan as his unique board designs and creativity is an inspiration to me, as I am sure it is to others.    

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