HANDMADE | A Tribute To DIY Shaping feat. the World's Best Surfer/Shapers | SURFER

For most of us, there’s a lot of guesswork that goes into picking our surfboards. We’re drawn to certain curves, edges, channels, tail shapes that remind us of something that worked for us before, or spark our curiosity about what could work for us the next time we paddle out. But nothing cuts down the guesswork and helps us really understand the dynamics of what’s going on underfoot like making a board yourself. Sure, the first, second, maybe even 134th board you make might not be as pretty as something you could pull off the rack of a surf shop, but it surely teaches you a lot more, and connects you more deeply to your surfing.
Last fall, we rallied some of our favorite surfers who make and ride their own sticks, put them in an improvised shaping bay together (a barn in Northern California) and documented them tearing into foam. Between passes with the planer, we asked them for their take on self-shaping boards, what it teaches you and how it can come to define your relationship with surfing. It was enlightening, and also a hell of a lot of fun.
After six days, a dozen blanks, many beers and one destroyed Mickey Mouse piñata, the crew had a handful of beautiful new surfcraft to try, which they did, in waves all over the world. “Handmade” is a tribute to surfing’s DIYers, and a celebration of the connection between surfers and their surfcraft, from the shaping bay to the lineup.

[@parabola8933]

When I was a kid we shaped a board from a blank that a buddy had gotten a hold of. It had a terrible glass job on it with rails almost 4 inches thick. A few weeks later my own surfboard got stolen so I had to spend about 6 months riding that board until I could put together enough money to buy another one. The rails would always hang up if you bottomed turned too hard. I remember during sunset there was a massive swell and I dropped in on a big wave that completely blocked out the sun and the board completely stalled. When I looked up at the lip coming down on top of me it was turquoise green with the sun shining through it and a bunch small fish splashing around in it. It sucked getting my board stolen, but that was such a good memory.

[@pabloduncan3485]

you prolly dont care but does someone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the password. I love any help you can offer me

[@lucasalexzander8988]

@Pablo Duncan instablaster ;)

[@pabloduncan3485]

@Lucas Alexzander Thanks for your reply. I found the site through google and Im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@pabloduncan3485]

@Lucas Alexzander it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

[@lucasalexzander8988]

@Pablo Duncan glad I could help :D

[@kahelekoki6215]

Glassers are the unsung heroes of the surfing world

[@chickenjoe9832]

there should be a contest where surfers have to shape their own boards

[@billygottron9172]

There is. They do a division of that at the Cosmic Creek that Vissla puts on. They team up a shaper with a surfer of their choice and do a 2 man team format. it's really cool.

[@cullenwilliams6253]

Sick

[@claudiasoriapoblaciones1910]

Very very good idea chicken joe

[@MurderMonkeyT]

@@billygottron9172 sound sick, do you know what it's called and if it's available to watch online anywhere?

[@billygottron9172]

@@MurderMonkeyT No it's not streamed but you can probably find snibit's of it online. I posted some stuff but of the announcement of the winners because my son was in it. He actually surfed in the shapers heat with Donald Brink. My son's name is Ian Gottron. Look him up.✌

[@24davidhubbell]

come on now, make them do their glassing too

[@jclm4188]

David Hubbell screw that.i did that once...

[@Yerbur]

Ryan is very articulate and well spoken.

[@rustynmoore5808]

damn tyler was ripping that egg!!

[@CaptKrash-jq2ut]

Rustyn Moore Soul Surfing

[@a.j.zunino7845]

Where was that with the barrels

[@reggierico]

Skip Frye is one of the best, iconic shapers in the San Diego/SoCal area. Unfortunately, he hasn't shaped commercially for some time now. I remember, in the 60's my Dad got orders to Hawaii. And one of my uncles knew Don Hansen up in North County, Encinitas. So, we drove up there and he agreed to shape a couple of boards for us. They were awesome long boards with fixed fins. Eventually, through years of moving all over the place, 14 times by the time I turned 18, those boards were left behind. One of the worst decisions our family ever made...

[@Psyched-Surf]

burch is the one that inspired me to start shaping and now im 15 down :-)

[@CantTalkImRiding]

Any tips on shaping my first board?

[@Psyched-Surf]

Phillip Priolo watch as many shaping videos online as you can. matt kazuma has a ton of really good tips but some of it can get confusing when your starting out. ive talked with alot of shapers now and the 2 big things ive taken away is 1. start with your most aggressive tool (planer) and get as close to your shape as you can with that tool, and work down to the next tools (surform, sandpaper) and 2. be mindful of how you handle your tools. every move you make will show in the shape, so try your best to be fluid and use big movements across the board instead of digging into one spot and moving to the next. if your planning on glassing and sanding your boards theres a step by step instruction on a channel Andrew W but his shaping isnt “masterful”. just have fun with it and remember just like surfing its not going to start out perfect but just keep working at it and you can do some really cool stuff :-) good luck

[@GuapLord5000]

@@CantTalkImRiding Know what the elements of the shape will look like in your head. Gives you a target to shoot at rather than just winging it the whole way (less chance of big mistakes). Have other boards around to reference. Go slow. You can't put foam back. When in doubt take a step back and consider what you're going for and how you'll get there. Sometimes you need to drop it for a day or two when you're in a jam. Blendingcurves has a bunch of good templates.

[@CantTalkImRiding]

@@GuapLord5000 I made a big blunder by rushing, but I recovered. It got thin in the tail, but I'm taking it in to a shaper to get feedback before fins and glassing.

[@artloveblues]

Hey Surfer! Thank you for taking the time and putting the effort into making a mini documentary like this. It´s too rare these days to find a piece that gives you both beautiful surfing and the thoughts of the surfers/shapers that´s involved and al of this, unhurriedly, without stress, without all the compromises that comes with the shorter format that we´re all so accustomed to through media outlets like instagram etc. And with that said this lovely piece could be even longer. But hey, that´s not critique, but encouragement. Thanks / a stoked Swede in Thailand.

[@coulterthekook0113]

All of these guys logg and it really shows, personally I think that people who logg and shortboard have the coolest styles

[@joeboonmusic4004]

1000% agree. Everyone I've watched who rides a log well, like ryan burch, harrison roach, trevor gordon, joel tudor, tyler warren, devon howard etc always have incredible style when they get on a shorter board. I guess because they know how to generate speed without pumping and wiggling everywhere?

[@robertfink7694]

Sick little Short film. Love it!

[@patricknoveski6409]

That was awesome. Good job guys

[@Kingmut97]

Incredible! Such a sick production!

[@benjaminskovbo3936]

Such a good little video! Would be cool to get a little comment from the guys after they surfed their boards though!

[@Jules-rj8cf]

This was so good. Makes me want to give it a go

[@chrischarlesjax]

shaping boards is addicting. this video was awesome.

[@frankgomezg]

Well done guys!!

[@Andrew-dm8mk]

Thank you chaps for sharing with us really enjoyed it Watched from Scotland 🔥🤙( Loved the 🥚 Egg)

[@PaulCarterArt]

Nice time capsule of hand shaping Surfboards. Learning by doing the work is the only way. I appreciate the art and process more than ever🗝 I have been hand shaping surfboards since 1993. Well done guys 👍🏾🎨

[@Seeyou006]

The egg looks like so much fun !

[@timbior]

Todd, really nice story!!!...The kid about 16 minutes in, is classic flowing rail to rail, a pleasure to watch...

[@rileyfox2387]

such a great film 🤙🏼

[@carloswell27]

Beautiful!!!

[@tbrad7252]

siiiiick. support your local backyard shapers and do it yourself too! The quest.

[@surfermag]

100%

[@carlosdelatorre5338]

awesome place !!!!! (min 23) my beloved backyard mainland mexico puerto power!!!! fiiiit yaaaahhh!!!

[@Gruntcakes69]

Great vid, very inspiring 👌🏽

[@jackh8561]

The 8’ egg trimmed like a beauty

[@Aint1S]

*"Hi friend, welcome to California!"* 22:53 That native greeting... *"Oh you're Californian, but new to this break?! I'm so sorry, we'll give you a BREAK!"*

[@Chimichurrii]

good job! cool shapes

[@MaxTheSurfGod]

Brilliant film!

[@westleysellers537]

Tyler warren and Ryan Burch are my idols

[@technes2012]

This is beautiful

[@mcdance1311]

beautiful! so sick!

[@eddybobea6709]

Pretty neat. Thank you.

[@Cuisinenomade1]

I cannot wait to make my own!

[@luxuryhomes8889]

Diggin the Bernie hat actually yeww

[@matthillier1761]

Awesome clip.

[@waves1point0]

Love this

[@gabev5679]

This is awesome! Just adds so much more creativity and artistry to something that is already an art. On another note, anyone know where you can get some of the audio tracks they used? I’m in love with the first two tracks. Tried looking for them on Spotify, Amazon music, and iTunes but had no luck…

[@jaekim7395]

My first board my friend Randy Curasco at Lance Collins wavetool Costa Mesa Cali. 1995. Lance glasses it for me it was a great honor.

[@guitarplayer714]

14:55 switching from goofy to regular and still shredding!

[@nakedmongoose123]

Man I fucking miss NorCal. I don't miss the ex who I lived with there but I fucking love that magical place among the trees !!

[@CantTalkImRiding]

I think I'll get side lights for my second board. How critical is lighting?

[@AlexS-gk4op]

This is inspiring

[@sailingsolo5290]

Retired now but i think i glassed about 15,000 boards complete and 100,000 laminations. in my 40 years of slingin. I dont miss it but what i do now is actually harder. I made more money per board at 18 than i did at 50. So fuck the industry cause i am still broke.

[@judejeffery3897]

Very inspirational

[@coleweston6740]

Incredible short film. Best I've seen in a long time legends. Sending strippers round now to help you boys celebrate

[@HoStevie]

🥳

[@Thestripper1]

.

[@levinelly9056]

Thestripper lol

[@wiscgaloot]

I'm so tempted. During COVID shutdown, I can't get the Mickey Munoz 12' glider I want, so I'm really tempted to get a foam blank for a 12' SUP, and shape it into a nice noseriding beast. I've done lots of glassing over the years, it's messy but I can do it. Hmmm....

[@col2959]

I get what you guys do to a degree. You are really good at it to. But so many guys go way to far!! Way to far!!! Rocker this concave that. Twin quad thruster flyers channels reverse concave blah blah blah. I learnt to surf on a modified farm gate 30 years ago. I have surfed some weird stuff in between and now I surf a 6'8" panel of a caravan. I get barelled and do nice turns just as good as you lot. Before I'm done I'd like to surf a modified pool table.. god bless

[@tat2jaytee]

So rad

[@valdo9482]

Great mix of guys with so much creativity and no ego. Boards looked great, except Derricks board looked way too small for him but the design looked epic.

[@kyraikeda4305]

23:25 that was so sick

[@kerrytresidder3858]

Awesome

[@bigwavejohn8886]

Remember, everything will ride!!!

[@ossobuccopucco]

Would have been cool to see them all glass themselves too, see the different techniques and styles

[@Bierowski]

Cool vid...you need to get back west or hang with JOB for some

[@orionmusic8583]

Alright gon get my cheese grater...good things come slow they say haha

[@locogringosurfs5509]

Dig it. 🤙🏼

[@thekithenis]

Un grande txabal!!!

[@seanziggysonter]

10 / 10

[@jessthedev]

good on ya, whats that song at ryb surf part?

[@johnmcculloch5736]

We all started somewhere and its a buzz

[@jamesgarcia9123]

good vid! thank god', theres hope for free thinking kids', making boards! thrusty boards get to be so predictable ando s ripping! peace

[@LucduToit]

4:32 homie went over the falls

[@lsroverdude]

Sickk video. Whats the name of the song that starts at 12:07?!

[@remi3294]

Same question

[@clearwaterhydrofoils4313]

Who else is about to close their computer and get going?

[@hunterswazey5517]

Where was this filmed in NorCal?

[@Dickheed]

That performance egg is fucking dope

[@zareh805]

First board I shaped ended up being an unintentional asymmetrical in the nose, 6’0 single fin, round pin.

[@Battsboards]

What grits of sand do you use for each step?

[@CantTalkImRiding]

I think I'll go shape a board now. It'll be my first.

[@judejeffery3897]

I was the first one to comment

[@briantrend1263]

graham smith jordys dad once told me , "they all go!"

[@xwhite2020]

hes wrong. Some are just unrideable.

[@maaleman1]

Does anyone know the name of the song that starts around the 12th minute mark?

[@crapeyewear]

😎😎😎

[@ianmactavish5078]

Soundtrack??

[@joeberryparrish9213]

How did you find that version of the song at 12:07 killer ghost-spaceman

[@Tougekidd]

Same question, sounds sick, and i can only find one video of the song in yt

[@Tonyfc3c]

Yee

[@sufficientlivingsamsonmoor4322]

Someone please give me the name of the song at 12:00

[@vtmatt86]

@surfermagazine music credits?!

[@seanc.golightly4669]

The first song is mine, "Land Again," check it out on bandcamp here: seangolightly.bandcamp.com/

[@bunkerman909]

SICK SURF SICK MUSIC

[@frosty70322]

where is this?

[@sufficientlivingsamsonmoor4322]

Please tell the the song at 12:00

[@joelblanc4477]

song at 5:10?

[@joeblow1942]

Shazam it.

[@ryderpostupack967]

can someone please tell me these songs

[@wyleecoyote1280]

Where is Timmy Patterson? Guy ripssssss.....

[@joshryan2478]

Good surfers boards were pretty suspect 😆the longboard was good

[@rosebaysurfboards2722]

🔨🔨🔨🔨

[@hunterdavis3003]

Tyler's was the best

[@co8539]

Hunter Davis agreed

[@elenamazzoleni4255]

Song name at 13th minute?

[@adiboili]

Elena Mazzoleni Spaceman Killer Ghost

[@danlacey5842]

Mark Richards . That is all

[@guyshred3949]

these kooks should also glass their boards and fins. do it all. these guys shared templates, nothing amazing except for their glasses, hair, and clothes. so eccentric man

[@karljohansen3935]

song

[@wagnercampos3210]

Eai haule

[@traceybaker343]

why dont all surfers make there own surfboard ? lazzyness

[@erictay9249]

Same reason you didnt make your car

[@doptimist]

Its incredibly toxic

[@srfnma6813]

Those people seems to be close to nature but all that pollution......

[@polfer123]

My single fins are more better.

[@ichorousmedia]

bobby quad stolen from doheny shape lol

[@garyindiana2127]

I get not wanting to be a thruster clone but now y'all are knost clones, shaping awkward boards to manufacture some spastic aesthetic is not some purer form of surfing, booooo

[@joeblow1942]

Fish's are timeless classics that work. You're missing out if you don't have one in your quiver.

[@antpoop2404]

lol

[@josephpablo8305]

Bunch of trust fund kids .