The Beginning
Where it all started. Board #1.
I was first introduced to the world of shaping when I ordered a custom board from my neighbor Dick Legere, who shaped out of a makeshift bay in his garage. When I stepped in to talk shop, I was enamored by the classic Gerry Lopez photos and the array of shaping paraphernalia. Although many of the design elements he explained flew right over my twelve year old head, the conversation we had that day left an everlasting impression on my life. I could sense how connected he felt to his craft and I knew this was something I wanted to pursue. Four years later, I approached Dick asking if he could teach me how to shape my own board. He generously took me in walked me through the process, correcting my mistakes as I mowed away at my first board. Once I finished the shape, I scoured YouTube to find videos on how to laminate. I set up some makeshift racks in my garage and decided to get after it. Boy did I make a mess. After hours of sanding the roughest laps I’ve ever seen trying not to burn through the fiberglass, I arrived at the finished product: a clunky single fin egg with a blue tint and sloppy free laps. The feeling that greeted me when I first rode the board was beyond rewarding. I couldn’t believe that I was actually catching waves on something I made with my own hands.
From that point forward I squeezed in every opportunity I could to shape boards between finishing high school, attending UC Berkeley and working at an investment management company. As my skills developed, my friends began to approach me wanting to order boards. This seemed like a beautiful opportunity to develop my shaping abilities while creating something that would bring stoke to those I care about. Now at 24 years old, I am pursuing my dream of building boards professionally. I am beyond grateful for all opportunities I am given to demonstrate my craft and put 100% of my effort into each board I build.
Laminating in the garage. The persisting resin fumes made my mom real happy.
Post hotcoat.
It actually worked. Who would have thought?
