Surfboard factory

Of all the boards I have or have had I have personally met three of the shapers (or four if you include me). That leaves probably around 4 or 5 that I haven't met. (Somebody in that picture may be one of them). Anyway, do you know who assembled your wetsuit, or your leash, or your watch, or your cell phone, or your pants?

I never say $#I* on the site, but just moved a bit by seeing where our heads are with 49 posts on a local spot and so few on this pic. I would hope that nobody on this site buys pop out junk or these factory made boards. Get to know your local shaper; we have a few of them. Money an issue? Buy a used hand-shaped board. I'm always amazed at watching talented shapers work, and each time I think it's an undervalued art. Or even the glassers...also undervalued. My point is you get a lot of experience for your money right here at home. After a few boards with the same shaper, you're going to dial in your stick big time and make some friends.
I throw a small chant out to the universe for those business-minded individuals who profit off making this cheap junk and make it harder for the local shaper to function: May you be dropped in on by others in all your walks of life...regularly. Peace.

It's interesting how much the changes in the board making industry have affected mentalities. 15 years ago, no-one would have put surfboards in the same category as wetsuits, watches, or cell phones (actually, 20 years ago, wetsuits were still made here in the US in fairly small operations run by surfers, remember Victory wetsuits?). I still don't put them in the same category, but I understand that surfers nowadays are content with knowing that if it's good enough for Kelly or for Taj, it's good enough for them. Never mind that they're surfing clones that were made in sweat shops halfway around the world for 1/10 of the price they paid for it. Getting a board from a local shaper will cost you less, you will get exactly what you want, you can try new ideas and improve on previous boards. You might develop a good rapport / friendship and improve your surfing as a result. Why would you get a Hyundai when you can get an Aston Martin for the same price?

@Ffish, "may you be dropped in on by others in all your walks of life, regularly"...the "Peace" part is irony, right? Like an angry Buddhist or something?

I've never regretted a custom board I've had shaped for me. I have bought boards off the rack or used and been unhappy with them. This situation could be somewhat psychological!? It used to be that board make/shaper was a very regional and even spot specific trend. Now it seems every other guy is on a CI or another standard mass produced model. That has pros and cons to it- maybe you get hassled less if you show up at a spot out of your area if you have a big name board? people can't tell you're from out of town.
I'm happily surprised that the good shapers have stuck around and still can make a business function despite the competition and economic recession. Hopefully they don't all age out, though I can think of some good up and coming younger shapers as well. IMO one has not really lived the full surf experience unless you have ordered a custom shape or made your own. Its really satisfying taking with a knowledgeable craftsman working out a board and graphics and picking it up a few weeks later with your name written on the stringer.

That being said I think there is room for both types of boards (custom shapes and mass produced in one's quiver). I'm more inclined to take a mass produced board on a surf trip and not worry about it or just sell it off at end of the trip. Currently I have no such boards but they come and go for me. FYI right now I have four boards- two custom made for me in SC or SF, one made in SC, and one made and glassed by me. My best friend is less sentimental and has this idea that he would rather have his board computer shaped to exactness with no room for human error- he is currently on a firewire. So I can see it from different sides.
Final thought-If you've never had a custom board you owe it to yourself and our local/regional shapers to get one at least once!

last year when i was in the market for a new board i looked long and hard at everything in the shops, as well as local shapers. i soon realized it would actually cost me more to buy a new board off the shelf than to have a custom board shaped for me. easy decision.

i have since gotten two boards shaped for me by james at sunset shapers. a 7'2 step up and a 6'8 short board (I'm 6'5, 220). I have absolutely loved both of them, and there is some serious value to having your shaper surf the sames waves you do every day. especially on a wave like OB.

stay stoked. stay local.

I only ride meyerhoffer GSI EPS HP SUPs. He is a local shaper and a really stylish surfer.