(Photo: Laurent Chantegros)
I LOVE shaping surfboards and I'm kinda obsessed with this craft. Even though I am about to shape my 243th board I'm still considering myself as a novice but I hope to become a master one day... This blog is a virtual portfolio and a diary of my journey in the shaping world. Feel free to leave comments or contact me directly at valerie@meremadesurfboards.com.

Valerie Duprat
-Shaper of Mère-Made Surfboards

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Board#018: noserider for Stephanie

Dimensions: 8'8 x 22 1/2 x 3
[completed in january 2013]
Model Velzy

I know. This board looks very familiar. Indeed, the previous post was about my very custom Robert August board which was shaped by the Master but painted by me! At the very same time, my friend Stephanie asked me if I could make a nose rider to replace her beat up board. It was totally  a perfect timing: I shaped her a 8'8 board inspired by the Robert August WIR (What I Ride) model. The shaping itself was quite a challenge knowing that my shaping room is only 9 feet long... I had to shape with the door open most of the time!  Oh, and it was my first "spoon"! Good thing I got to attend Robert August training session at the Surf Expo!

For the artwork I had to infringe the Mère-Made law: my motto is "artwork uniqueness". I want each board to be the only one of its kind in the world... But I liked the Endless Summer theme so much on my new RA that I went for the same one but with diferent colors. Stephanie being a "pink & purple" lover I adapted the design to her preferences and I love the result !!! The board was glassed with a gorgeous polish finish by Global Glassing in Oceanside. Good job on placing the printed-out silhouette exactly where it was supposed to be. They also accommodate for a special wish from Stephanie: a GoPro plug for stoke recording purposes :)

PS: talking about recording, the pictures of me shaping on my welcome page were taken by Eri Morita while I was shaping this board. 







2+1 fin boxes but the fins are missing :(




Stephanie picking up Board#018

Stephanie, hubby and daughter: the cutest beach family ever!

My two version of Endless Summer:
a girly version on the right
and a VERY girly one on the left.

Update 02/26/13
Testimonial from Stephanie:
"Hi Val, I love this board! I caught my first wave today. It sliced into the wave nicely. I need to get out more. Thanks again! Steph"
Thanks Stephanie! keep slicing more waves and have fun on your new board! I'll see you soon in the water :)

6 comments:

  1. very nice!! and the last shot of you and your little one together is so cute!! love the gopro plug being glassed on to the board... that will be very useful in the future, not to mention more aesthetically pleasing. i find surfboards becoming an eye-sore when they have the mount on it with no camera, but glassing it on makes the plug a part of the board so it looks nicer. great job!!!!

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    1. I agree: less is more for the GoPro mounting devices. The "GoPro plug" is actually a FCS plug so you have to buy the connecting/adaptor piece but I think it is worth it.
      See you very soon KK (saturday) :)

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  2. Hi Val, I love this board! I caught my first wave today. It sliced into the wave nicely. I need to get out more. Thanks again! Steph

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  3. very nice Work and art work!
    a very girly reinterprétation, I like it!

    If you remember, I cross you sometimes in tandem surfing contests.

    Good luke for your shaping days.

    Arno
    http://surfingandmore.wordpress.com/

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    Replies
    1. Bonjour Arno!
      merci d'etre passe sur mon blog!
      J'avais entendu parle de tes talents de shapeur par Loic Bourdon qui a sejourne chez moi il y a qque temps maintenant. Il m'avait dit qu'on s'etait croises sur le "tour" de tandem. Le monde est petit!!!
      Bravo pour tes belles créations: je vais m'abonner a ton website pour sur! N'hesites pas a me contacter quand tu seras de passage en Californie: on ira faire du tandem et/ou des planches ensemble, au choix :))))

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