famous hawaiian surfboard shapers

If you dont know Rell Sunns name, you should. So he worked with legendary shaper Hap Jacobs to produce a smaller, more refined model that set Junod down a lifelong path of experimentation with the cornucopia of shapes -- twin-fins, quads, finless planks, kneeboards -- commonly referred to today as alternative. But ironically, Michel was also one of the first surfers in the 1970s to dust off his traditional longboard again, flying in the face of the Shortboard Revolution and reviving one of surfings most traditional art forms. The Hawaiian islanders most likely utilized only three species of tree as the base for their surfboards: the wiliwili (Erythrina monosperma), ulu (Artocarpus incisa), and koa (Acacia koa). That distinction means that the surfer needs to be far more engaged with the wave: carving, turning, and redirecting to stay close to the breaking curl and avoid getting a mouthful of saltwater. LABEL: Straight Up Surfboards Hawaii, Purington Surfboards, SHAPING SINCE: "I shaped my first board in 1975; started shaping professionally in 1983. Sunn was a pioneering female surfer from Makaha who fearlessly paddled out into the largely male-dominated lineup as surfers flocked to Oahu in the 50s. We were all watching, including Kelly Slater. Then, she moved to Santa Cruz (with boasts iconic breaks like Pleasure Point and Steamers Lane) a decade ago with her husband, Alex Thompson, and their children. TWIG (Twin Fin / 4'10") x Jamie O'Brien PRO $ 314.99 Color : Add to Cart. He became famous in the longboard world and was considered one of the best shapers of all time. Surfboard Factory Hawaii is the exclusive surfboard licensee for Hawaiian Island Creations and produces the best quality stock and custom HIC surfboards with the latest designs and technology to enhance your surfing experience. 44 Hawaiian and Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know, 20 Thoughts Every Hiker has had on the Trail Up Koko Head Crater, Shop These 5 Sophisticated Aloha Shirt Brands, The Enduring Nostalgia of Hawaii's Historic Drive-In Restaurants, Find Solitude and Serenity at the Waipio Wayside Bed and Breakfast, How the Klauea Lighthouse Saved an Airship in 1927, Q&A with Hawaii Fashion Designer Micah Kamohoalii. You do the math., BOB SIMMONS *the wild card In a small surf, hes said, youre already blessed by thin crowds -- so having a board with better performance makes it possible to own the waves. While the Zephyr shop has been closed since 1976, Jeff Ho continues to shape surfboards as a personal Hobby to this day. Staff is super kind and helpful.more, Awesome little skate and surf shop. What makes my boards different is that I have kind of married the shortboard into the longboard so its more of a high-performance riding board, but it has a lot of the characteristics of the old longboards we used to ride in the 60s.. Tom Stone, a professor of Hawaiian studies at the University of Hawaii and a surfboard shaper, said the early alaias were essentially made from scraps. Or, you might know Lopez as an influential surfboard shaper whose Lightning Bolt brand was once one of the most ubiquitous out there. After few more years, when he was 16, he started working on high-performance boats and dragsters. [12], Donald Takayama was a professional surfer and acclaimed shaper from Hawaii. They even sell wood and cushioned, multiple-surfboard, wall-mount racks, which I've not found at any other surf shop in Hawaii!". [6], The next technological change in the surfboard shaping industry came with the introduction of the Hollow Board by Hawaiian resident Tom Blake. Hawaiian surf legend Ben Aipa, who also excelled as board shaper, dies Sand the rails until the edges are square. With an 86, he learned about that famous Hawaiian juice and eventually asked Donald Takayama to make him a board that was nearly 10 feet long. Legendary Hawaiian Surfboard Shaper Ben Aipa of Aipa Designs - Swell Magnet Basically, Biolas has a passion for making even the smallest waves fun, and is constantly tweaking ideas to make that possible. There are four key steps in building and shaping a surfboard: Shaping the template, preparing the fin setup and rails, rounding rails, and smoothing the outline. [2], Three foundational templates for surfboard shaping were utilized by the Hawaiian islanders: the alaia, the paipo, and the olo. SHAPING SINCE: "I shaped my first board in 1975; started shaping professionally in 1983." INFLUENCES: "Eric Arakawa, Ed Angulo, Dave Hill, Dave Purington and Peter Trombly." KNOWN FOR: "Performance shortboards, fish, step-up boards, guns and . Terms & Conditions. Triangle Slash Raglan Sweatshirt $ 64.99 Color : Add to Cart. Surf legend Pat Curren calls Santa Barbara home while his son, Tom, transforms the up-and-comer surf scene along with fellow locals, Conner and Parker Coffin. In the 1920s and '30s, his contributions and inventions to overcome the performance limitations of the surfboard were borderline Edisonian. GOOD ViBES! ", INFLUENCES: "Eric Arakawa, Ed Angulo, Dave Hill, Dave Purington and Peter Trombly. I am leaving the hospital today and have been diagnosed with MSD. Surfers' Hall of Fame | Huntington Surf & Sport Hawaiian surf legend Ben Aipa, who achieved renown in the 1960s and '70s as a powerful, creative surfer, innovative board shaper and dedicated coach, died Friday at his Hilo home at the age of. You have to have your own vision of surfing, he told Brooklyns Pilgrim Surf and Supply in 2014. A denizen of Kauais north shore, Hamilton has been shaping surfboards for a half-century. Purington Surfboards: Handmade in Hawaii They started a ripple that turned into a wave that is still rolling today. Within a few years, they moved inland to Compton, but Brewers thoughts remained on the ocean. [2], The addition of balsa wood subsequently led to the surfboard shapers move towards the Hot Curl Design. By shaving off parts of the tail and shaping the sides of the board, surfboard shapers were able to produce surfboards that allowed surfers to pull into the curl of a wave. Dick Brewers influence on surfing and surf culture cannot be overstated. (By the way, Sunn was assuming her rightful role in a longstanding Hawaiian cultural tradition; accounts reveal that many Hawaiian women, including Queen Kaahumanu, wife of Kamehameha the Great, surfed. ) [7], Currently, many surfboard shapers design surfboards using computer programs and hot-wire cutting machines that expedite the design process, especially in relation to mass-production. He basically invented the mini-gun. Ten-time world champion Kelly Slater frequents his place in Montecito. For a prompt reply, please include the best time to call you! Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. By 1960, Velzy owned five retail shops and three production facilities in California and Hawaii. Meet These 13 Famous Surfers Who Hail from Hawaii The same way California surfboard shapers dedicate their lives to the perfect board, Peets Coffee has been working since 1966 to put coffee first -- and it shows in their new bottled cold brew. What she does: Lloyds sleek longboard shapes, made specifically for Santa Cruzs slow, easygoing pointbreaks, represent such an important connection back to the golden days of California surfing. In the 90s, we were trying to make our boards really light, but the double-edged sword of that is that a light board tends to be weaker, Hamilton says. Hawaiians were riding waves with a great deal of authority, and when the missionaries came and put the kibosh on surfing, it became a forgotten art, Hamilton says. In winter, when Kauais shores morph into a magnet for monster swells, a cluster of sleepy, jungle-encroached surf towns transforms into a world-class destination for seasoned wave riders. It is definitely worth driving to and from DingDocs. One of only five surfers to win back-to-back world titles, John John Florence has been making a name for himself since the age of 13, when he became the youngest surfer to ever compete in the Vans Triple Crown. How he does it: Its that upstairs-downstairs dichotomy that represents everything the Mayhem brand stands for today: the highest of high performance, delivered to the worlds best surfers in the best waves, and a singular focus on helping the worlds average surfers ride their average waves better. George Downing, Wally Froiseth, Woody Brown, and Buzzy Trent (among others), are considered the forefathers of big wave riding. How to do a Frontside Cutback With Josh Kerr, 10 Things You Should Take on Your Next Surf Road Trip, 6 Female-Founded Surfwear Brands We Tested This Summer, Jon Wayne Freeman "Charges" The Wedge, Seeks Sponsorship Deal. Kauai's Master Surfboard Shapers are Some of Hawaii's Best Adding a business to Yelp is always free. It all adds up to explain why that curvy, curious surfboard attracted so much attention when it first debuted ten years ago. The world is a worse place now without him in it, but were unbelievably fortunate to have shared space on the planet with someone like him. [7] Furthermore, surfboard shapers began to utilize alternate base materials, including both plastic and polyurethane foam. In the era known as the "Shortboard Revolution", surfboard shapers, most notably George Greenough, Bob McTavish, and Simon Anderson reduced the length of the surfboard, creating a higher level of maneuverability. Many also know Aikau for his incredible bravery in the ocean, which eventually cost him his life. ** For custom models please call (808) 638-0050 and we'll work with you to get you the perfect boardor complete the CUSTOM ORDER sheet and email to carl@schaper-hawaii.com. In addition to surfing, one of Florences other passions is his sailboat, VELA, a Gunboat 48 that he took on a memorable journey to the Northern Line Islands: After six and a half decades of surfing, there are few people who understand the ocean as well as legendary Kauai surfer Titus Kinimaka. Catch Surf | Smells Like Summer! Rad clothing and soft surfboards Andreini grew up in San Mateo, where he started shaping in 1970 (one of his first customers was actually the next shaper on this list). Not only do they chisel away foam to make a. Takayama's knowledge and skill in regards to surfboard design have defined him as one of the most influential surfboard shapers of all time. Evan Rossell Changing Towel $ 64.99. Working together with, and inspired by, Californian expat George Greenough and his flexible scooped-nose kneeboards, they hacked the lengths down dramatically, kicked up the nose rockers, and cut deep vee panels into the tails. It can drop into steeper waves, turn on a dime, and accelerate quickly, all while still producing the cruise and glide integral to any longer board. It was here that Ho developed both the skillset to design high-performance surfboards; Ho's innovation led to the creation of the swallowtail board, which would later become a signifier of his shaping. He was 85. A man of many talents, Kinimaka has also worked as a musician and an actor, and he continues to be a fixture on Kauais North Shore. In 1972, Ho purchased the a surf shop on the corner of Main and Bay Streets in Venice, California; he rebranded the shop as "Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions." ", KNOWN FOR: "Performance shortboards, fish, step-up boards, guns and longboards. Soon after, looking for more control in steeper waves, Blake contemporaries like Wally Froiseth and Fran Heath started to shape the outlines and pull in the tails of their Hot Curl boards. (FYI -- Thats as tall as a 7-story building.) 67-106 Kealohanui Street, Building P-2, Waialua, Hawaii, 96791 808-638-0050 info@schaper-hawaii.com But, did you know that Gerry Lopez is also a dedicated yoga practitioner and meditator? Hess discovered his love for wood while living in Colorado and working on a sustainable building project as a carpenter. ", SHIPPING: "I will ship a surfboard from Hawaii to anywhere in the world. Surf Prescriptions, Cordell Surfboards, Chas Performance, Pesce Surfboards, Poi Dog, A-39, Mohn, Sakal, Line Up, Wallin, and Country Surfboards. Mark the front fins positions on both sides then mark the back fins. Valley Isle Surfboards - Custom Surfbaords Maui He bought a blank, a Walker, and carved out a 910. SURFER has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. More than 60 years after its inventors death, the Mini-Simmons is now collectively known almost as a basket name for any extremely short, flattish plank with a parallel outline. Its an inverted hourglass shape with bulging hips in the back third of the board, a narrow empire waist, and another wide bubble near the nose. Jimmy Lewis is a Hawaiian surfer, sailor and surfboard shaper . Lightning Bolt was one of the first heavy-hitter surf companies back in the early '70s. Using the same blend of freshly roasted beans and slow steeping process for making cold brew in their cafes, Peets hand delivers its bottled cold brew to grocery stores to ensure it is fresh and flavorful from your first sip. Lloyd and Thompson even play music together as The Shapes, imbuing the easygoing feeling of a cruisey California surf session in every aspect of their lives. Martin Daly Martin Daly is a legendary Surf Explorer, boat captain, surfer, and diver who has discovered incredible waves in the Mentawai's. Considering his contribution we felt it necessary to do it. And he wanted to shape surfboards. Fins and assorted plugs are usually after lamination, and the final product is sanded and glossed down with buffing compounds and glossing resins.[10]. He wanted it for the North Shore, and as soon as he showed up on the scene, it was apparent that he had a little something extra. They moved into a house in Long Beach, and Brewers passion for the ocean began to sprout. He was, by all accounts extraordinarily proficient with his hands. With the wide-open lineups of Ocean Beach at his disposal, Hess worked for years there to perfect his durable, shreddable wooden board. What is your level of experience? Takayama Hawaiian Pro Designs - Eastern Lines Surfboard shaping was regarded by the Hawaiian islanders as a ceremonial rite; Hawaiian islanders often offered fish to surfriding trees as offerings. It's super easy to communicate with them by text and Daley is just such a good listener. Surfboard shaping is not done so easily; it takes patience and determination to properly craft a surfboard. It was these heroic surfers that were the first to take on the big waves at Makaha, Hawaii. He also won the Molokai to Oahu downwinder, one of the toughest paddle races on the planet. Its a part of history that Im trying to bring back again.. Sunn was also an early advocate for equal pay and equal say for female surfers, and she helped to establish the Womens Professional Surfing Association. She started surfing at the tender age of five on the beaches of Waikiki. One of 16 children, Kinimaka came from a family with surfing in its blood. Commoners boards were made of koa wood. Schaper Hawaii Surfboards + SHOP Schaper Hawaii Models MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT OUR INSTAGRAM PAGE @SCHAPERHAWAII AND OUR USED BOARDS INVENTORY PAGE @SCHAPERHAWAII_USED FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON WHAT WE HAVE IN STOCK ** For custom models please call (808) 638-0050 and we'll work with you to get you the perfect board [3] The 5 Most Famous Surfers from Hawaii - Culture Trip Finally, sign the surfboard and send it off to glassing. Thank you! Ken started his own business, Bradshaw-Hawaii, a manufacturer of custom surfboards in 1978. How Well Do You Know Your Hawaiian Place Names. Subscribe to Hes been called surfings most influential board maker. He didnt just shape surfboards he shaped an entire culture and industry. I had a few hours to kill before heading to the airport. For better or worse, they made the surfboard available to everyone and created the template for starting a surf company, which is still followed, over and over, around the world., BOB MCTAVISH + GEORGE GREENOUGH What he does: Meyerhoffers most famous surfboard creation still makes the least amount of sense, at least to the untrained eye. Before any waverider straps on a leash, a pair of hands puts in hours in the shaping bay, molding foam, resin, and solid wood into a work of rideable art. His surfboards largely paved the roads that led surfing to where it is today. How he does it: When Pearson made his first longboard in 1966, it took him a full two weeks, because he built his own tools to do the job. After the form of the surfboard is sculpted from the blank, the shaper can lay fiberglass or carbon fiber sheets over the top and bottom of the surfboard, and laminate each sheet with a thermosetting substance, such as epoxy or polyester resin. Both parents surfed, and Kinimaka learned from his mother. Alan Surfboards Hawaii - Hawaii Surfboard Shaper for Hawaii Surf An Ode to Dick Brewer: How One Man Shaped Surfboards That Shaped Surfing What did people search for similar to surfboard shaper in Honolulu, HI? The process of surfboard shaping has evolved over the years, and the shaper often tailors his or her work to meet the requirements of a client or a certain wave. The other major hallmark of his career is his advocacy for environmentally-friendly EPS epoxy foam and resin, which he posits more as a cost-effective, high-tech approach to running his business than hippie propensity. He grew up during the annexation of Hawaii and is a strong representative of Hawaiian culture and attitude. (And, yes, if youre curious, the family is also related to Don Ho; he and Derek are cousins.). Custom Surfboards in Hawaii, and custom surfboards from the north shore of Oahu in particular, are the best surfboards you can find, and I'm going to explain why established or underground shapers on the north shore, and all shapers in Hawaii for that matter, have every type, size and shape of wave imaginable, a deep well of local rippers, and a never . Aikau hopped on his surfboard and attempted to paddle to Lanai for help. The list goes on. In other words, he knows how to make boards that can seriously perform, even when made out of eco-friendly materials. Big wave surfers | Club of the Waves He was 85. They then moved to Whittier where Dick joined a water polo team. Degree 33 Surfboards | The #1 Online Surfboard Brand in the US Whether his wooden boards are found atop funky old surf mobiles, in the quivers of trendsetting surfers around the world, or in art galleries from coast to coast, the most important thing to remember is that theyll last. In one year, on self-designed, self-shaped equipment, Anderson won two of the worlds most prestigious surfing events: the Pipe Masters and Bells Beach, showing the designs versatility. You might know Gerry Lopez as Mr. The royal backstory on Santa Cruz's rich surfing history and culture Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. He ended up in Waikiki, near Ala Moana. What he does: Twenty-five years after founding Lost, Bioloss, fast, loose, ultra-refined shred sleds are routinely found under the feet of the worlds best surfers. On May 28, 2022, surfboard shaping legend Dick Brewer died at his home in Hawaii. ". Moving to Hawaii to enjoy the surf year-round? He began designing U-control model airplanes, in which a model plane is attached to a pair of lines that control the pitch and axis of the planes. Ho shaped his first surfboard at the age of 14, and he soon began repairing and re-designing old boards found on the coast. He sold a few boards shaped by other shapers, but he also began to learn more and more about the art of crafting a surfboard. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. And if it hasnt yet been done, hes game to try. What began as a hobby born of a teenage desire to own more surfboards than he could afford, Scovels early dabbling in surfboard shaping developed into a career that allows him to travel the world, testing his equipment on foreign waves while researching new designs. In the 1920s and 30s, his contributions and inventions to overcome the performance limitations of the surfboard were borderline Edisonian. With plenty of wins under her belt, including the 2009 Rookie of the Year award, Ho has easily proven the rightful heir to this surfing dynasty. Born from legendary shapers Jack Shipley and Gerry Lopez, surfers knew they were getting quality product and flocked to Hawaii to get their hands on Lightning Bolt boards and apparel. The standings where the blanks are shaped are nailed to the floor with lighting aligned near them. Nov 27, 2017 Brittany Lyte Will Scovel combines calculated precision and artistic flair to shape high-performance shortboards. Carefully remove all mistakes on the blank with sandpaper. Bob Simmons star shone bright for too short a time. Captivated by the wooden boards the Native Hawaiians rode before the advent of modern surfing, Hamilton crafts raw slabs of monkeypod, wiliwili, koa and balsa wood into museum-quality wall hangers that wear glistening coats of kukui oil. Located on the North Shore of Oahu Hawaii, Schaper Hawaii is best known for our custom surfboards for every surfer. Finally, cut the rail bevel from nose to fins to give a rounded-edge shape to the board. The 5,000,000+ surfers bobbing up and down Californias 840 miles of coastline spend a lot of time in the spotlight, but there is a small group of artisans working in the background to make all those epic YouTube-worthy rides possible: surfboard shapers. He surfed Waimea and Sunset with all the biggest names at the time Greg Noll and Pat Curren, to name a few and it was then that he decided that surfing was his life. Long story short, he knows the coastline, and his boards are colorful, elegant creations that are the the perfect mix of Southern, Central, and Northern California aesthetics -- which explains why they can be found under the feet of proud nonconformists all up and down the coast. This allowed Young and his large, powerful frame to turn more radically on a wave than ever seen before. What he does: The forty-something Ventura native specializes in wooden surfboards -- and not the old-school collectible kind. Top 10 Best Surfboard Shaper in Honolulu, HI - Yelp The Factory Custom Surf Boards. Hes skilled enough to pull off a giant air maneuver while surfing Peahi, Mauis big wave, but hes curious enough to try windsurfing it, too. Rewatch "Riss", "Pentacoastal" and more of this year's s On the road with one of the most stylish surfers on this generation, These talented women offer unique perspectives on lineups around the world, Just dont come complaining to us if you plane a finger off, Not another Instagram carousel, this is the crme de la crme from our year in print. In 1939, when the second World War was ramping up, Brewers father, Charles, packed the family up and moved to California. What he does: Kaimanus hydrodynamic shapes are perfect in big waves, heavy waves, isolated waves, and high-performance waves. For inquiries, contact Hamilton at hamiltonsurfboards@hotmail.com. Youll constantly see cars passing by with a board on the roof, sticking out over the back of a truck bed, or even squeezed inside. U.S. Open of Surfing 2012 | Post Heat Interviews, Surfboard collector Mark Buggs Arico discusses a few of his prized possessions on Surfermag.com. Evan Rossell // Chiller Fleece Pullover Hoodie $ 64.99 Size : Add to Cart. Wed be happy to help you make a safe, easy, and affordable move. Chad Kaimanu Jackson comes by his passion for surfboard shaping honestly: his father, Bruce, first started building boards in 1969 -- then passed the business on to Chad in 1992. BEN AIPA. The Hobie company continues to manufacture surfboards today. Was This One of the Best Days Ever Seen at a California Beach Break? How he does it: While Chad inherited dads Kaimanu Surfboards label when he was 18, he immediately set out to push the business into the future by concentrating on natural materials: eco-friendly, agave-based foam for the surfboard blank; a hemp-derived fiberglass substitute for its strong outer layer; and recycled redwood for the fins on the bottom. As he traveled around the world giving surfing demonstrations, he introduced the sport to the world. Ken's first surfboard shaping job was with Lightning Bolt Surfboards and Surf Shop in 1976. In 1965, he began working for Hobie Alter. Schaper Hawaii Then repeat the process on the opposite side. Add to Cart. And if you doubt his prowess on a surfboard, hes got a long list of big wave awards to his name (2019 Mens XXL Biggest Wave, 2020 Winner of the Tow Challenge, 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Award for Biggest Paddle, 2021 Mens Performer of the Year). Then with a sanding block round the rails to reduce sharp edges. [9], Many professional shapers outsource the highly specialized task of lamination to glassers; glassers laminate fiberglass to the foam core of the surfboard using thermosetting resins, such as polyester or epoxy. Today, Eddie Aikau is probably best known for the big wave invitational that bears his name. With virtually no precedent to work from, he was the first to hollow out the solid wood boards of the time, reducing the weight by almost half, which allowed him to glide faster than anyone before. SURFERs Newsletter to receive stories like this straight to your inbox. Do you want to hang ten or do you want to charge two-story waves? Inside the shaping bay, thats even more accurate. The first one he made was traced from a friends board. With California prodigy Tom Curren, and a bevy of other talented surfers, he was able to jump on this design and take it to new heights. Surfboards by Todd Pinder - Temp. He also spent family vacations on the long, drawn-out pointbreaks of Santa Barbara, before he settled down in Santa Cruz. (Hint: not anything like what the guys and girls on the World Tour were doing). World Surf League Ben Aipa - surfer, board shaper, coach - died at his home in Hilo last week at the age of 78. . When you shape a board by hand youre basically creating a sculpture, Hamilton says. SHAPERS RENO ABELLIRA BEN AIPA BAHNE BILL BARNFIELD CLYDE BEATTY BENNET LARRY BERTLEMANN BING BK HAWAII TOM BLAKE BRONZED AUSSIES BROTHERS NEILSON BUNGER SURFBOARDS BUSHMAN BUTTONS HAWAII BYRNE CALIFORNIA COMPANY CHALLENGER CHANNIN OWL CHAPMAN CLEAN LINES CON CORKY CARROLL JEFF CRAWFORD DRB CHUCK DENT GEORGE DOWNING PHIL EDWARDS ENERGY-S. ANDERSON ET SURFBOARDS FIBRECRAFT MARK FOO FRESH JUICE . Meet Your Shaper. Of all the things Ive done with my life, he said, being able to influence surfing is a marvelous thing.. Stretch, so named because of his towering height and slender frame, has a singularly defining feature: hes always obsessively chomping on a cigar. Hobie was a pioneer in 20th century surfboard construction and design; his most famous legacy lies in his creation of the polyurethane foam surfboard in 1958. JOEL PARKINSON. tokoro surfboards quality surfboards by wade tokoro.