(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

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Board#030: funboard for Sean('s girlfriend)


Dimensions: 7'8 x 22 1/2 x 2 7/8
[completed in October 2013]
Model Vida

The story: Sean works at Illumina. He heard about my shaping business through Keith (see board#026 link here) who is always willing to advertise for "his personal shaper":)  Sean and I had coffee one morning and that is when I heard the cutest story: he wanted to order a special board for a very special person in his heart: his girlfriend. He wants to surprise her for Christmas with her first surfboard (she does not even surf yet… How cool is that to get a custom board as a your first board ever ???!!!).

The shape: Although Sean knew exactly the artwork she would like, he was not very sure about what shape. I suggested one of my "best-seller" shape which I have done a couple of times: funboard for fun rides. I used board#021 template and kept a generous volume on the rails for a maximum paddling ability. The glass/pinline was done at Global Glassing.

The artwork: most of the discussions/email exchanges with Sean was around the artwork. Sean had a very precise idea of the vibe she would like: tropical/tiki/palm tree/beach. We went back and force with some ideas  for a couple of days without taking a decision… until Sean sent me a zipped file with some designs that his neighbor and friend, Rex Anthony, kindly put together for him. Rex owns a marketing company called "Regarding X". It was not difficult to give two thumbs up on one of the suggested artwork! Still brought a bit of my own touch (sorry, I can't help it!).  I worked hard on the painting, till dark, to make sure to finish it on time for Xmas. Marcy, I don't know who you are but I know one thing: you will get a pretty damn good looking first board for Xmas. Isn't this gift saying more than a diamond on a ring??? Just saying…. :)

Sean ordered board#030






Shaper/ future owner/designer 




Global Glassing did a great job on the pinline
The PG-13 picture :)


1 comment:

  1. Ouahhou, toujours superbes tes Boards !! C'est du grand art. Bravo !!

    ReplyDelete