From the first board-shaping school.

The art of hand-shaping surfboards is being threatened by machines. Shaper Studios is changing that. The Mission Valley shaping school is allowing everyday surfers the chance to glass and paint what they ride. We drop in on owner Chris Clark, who says the studio is luring everyone from pros to groms to surf companies and bands like Foster the People.

“It’s impossible to compare surfboard shaping to anything else,” says Clark, an SDSU MBA grad student and entrepreneur who is creating a unique blend of retail and DIY manufacturing at Shaper Studios.

“Surfing is only half of surfing. The other half is making your own surfboard. When people leave here with a board they can ride, that they make with their own hands, it changes surfing and their experience with the sport forever.”

But what about people who are power-tool-phobic?

We are with you the whole time. We just taught a 12-year-old girl to use a planer (a power tool with sharp blades).

So it’s not just a bro-fest?

No way! We just did a series with French pro Margaux Arramon-Tucoo. We entered a film of her shaping at a local film fest.

Surfboards are some of the most toxic toys.

We use Marko recyclable EPS foam. We also use epoxy resins, which are odorless and have zero VOCs. It doesn’t smell in here so you can even glass your board without wearinga mask.

 

Read the rest of the articleRiviera San Diego

 

About Shaper Studios:

Shaper Studios is California’s first surfboard workshop. Surfers now have a home outside the water where they can come shape and design their own surfboards. Our friendly staff of surfboard builders has a passion for sharing the art of surfboard design with surfers of all ages. We rent clean shaping bays and pro shaping tools. We have an array of custom glassing and artwork options. We also offer private and group shaping lessons. Backyard shapers are also welcome as we stock all the supplies needed to do-it-yourself.

 

Lessons:

 

Join the Conversation

No comments

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *