Shaping Thoughts, Feelings and Memories

When asked to shape a custom board, I run through the above process.

It’s a real privilege, one I will never tire of.

I met Jeff, a fellow kneeboard surfer from New Jersey, a place where one can get excellent surf. We met in Nicaragua and spoke for an hour.., hours… about design, shapes and theories. Time drifts by when talking surfing and boards.

Jeff obviously can surf, knew what he wanted and was stoked with my input. It’s always important for a surfer whom you are shaping for to express their feelings and thoughts. After surfing for 40 years, they have had a lot of experience.

In the local GA surfboard factory, Limon, Nicaragua, I have shaped myself a board and also helped a friend fashion his own self-shape. It’s fantastic, like being back in “Morning of the Earth “ time. Absolutely a reminder about why we started surfing and shaping in the first place – the pure essence of it. 

Jeff loved the look and feel of my kbs ‘The Freak’ and my Freshfish. I recommended he put the boards under his arm, run his hands down the rails, check the rocker, observe the hull-type bottom, single to double concave to vee, the double edged chine rails. All the aspects, the whys, the what fors and the waves I have experienced on my boards were discussed. 

What type of waves will you be riding? Your height and weight? We looked at what he had been riding and came up with a good solution. Satisfying to marry the ideas of two surfers together into one board to bring immense pleasure. 

Honestly, knowing you probably need a good all-rounder is paramount. Unless you want a quiver and can afford one, an all-rounder is a great idea. 

Jeff was used to kbs that didn’t have a really full nose. His kbs had a wing in the plan shape, a quick response feel with a really good tube riding rocker and rail.

Listening to him express himself, enthusiasm flowing, about waves ridden and what shape performed best for him is important for me. It’s kind of like writing a song about someone’s life and you get one shot at it.

We came up with a 5ft 11 single flyer fishtail Freak/Freshfish combo.

I had to shape from a blank I wasn’t used to. Layer the foam, tail lift and nose rocker, concaves deep entry, fade out through vee in tail. I was at it all day. I had to walk out a few times and stare up into space, pat the dog , have a drink of water then come back for another look. Most shapers will relate to this, especially if they started in the late 60s early 70s . 

 It is well on the way for Jeff to surf the sucky barrels of La Playa Colorado, Hacienda Iguana, Nicaragua. Satisfied customer and shaper. There is a lot involved. It’s a pleasure to still be a part of it. 

Have fun, Jeff from New Jersey, can’t wait to see you pulling in!

Muchas gracias to my friends at GA surfboards, absolute pleasure to work with you.

Let’s go surfing!

4 thoughts on “Shaping Thoughts, Feelings and Memories

  1. I want a recommendation on kneeboards. I had been surfing since 13 on and off on short and longboards. I am 70 and want to get back in the water. Unfortunately lower back issues are a problem. I am currently living near Ft. Pierce Florida which does have sand bar bottom waves. What kind of board should I be looking at? There are some shapers here that can do the job so I am looking for template.

  2. Either choices viable determined by your location with your growth plans.
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  3. I too am looking for a kneeboard inlive in queens ny anywayyou would be ableto help me out can’t surf anymore due to injury looming for areasonabke biard Tks Tim Moriarty [email protected]

  4. Reading this and looking at the photos, Reggie, it’s like I can walk over the road and still have a chat in your shaping bay. Long walk now, all the way to Nicaragua.
    Cheers,
    Psycho.

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