(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

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

New year statistics


Since I got my first shaping tools under the Christmas tree in December 2010, my passion has never stopped to grow.  I have shaped 36 boards so far with an average of one board a month over the past three years (in addition to my full time job). But of course, I have been faster making boards the last year as my technique is getting sharper with practice, experience and the priceless help of my friend from SWOP surfboards. Yesterday, while vacationing in France, I completed a 7'6 funboard shape within 4 hours whereas it was taking me almost 10 hours for a shorter board three years ago...

Because I am a scientist I had fun playing a bit more with the numbers and generated some statistics. For example, I found that my speciality is shortboards with 37% of my production. 



Also, my priority is to shape for women but still, 71% of my customers have a Y chromosome…



I am also very proud to count two returning customers who have two Mere-Made boards in their quiver. 

But the most striking statistic is that 25% of my production is for my husband... which probably biases  all my stats as he is "a dude who always ask for short boards"!!!


Looking back to those numbers/boards, I feel confident that I found an art which fulfills my craving for creation. Good thing I like it because when I come back from vacation, I have 6 new orders waiting for me. Mère-Made Surfboards soon officially a business? Why not!




4 comments:

  1. Yay! Happy New Year Valerie!! Keep up the great work

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    1. Hey KK! Best wishes for 2014. One of mine is to meet you again somewhere for a surf!

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  2. Hey Val, these are some pretty impressive stats! Congratulations on your flourishing business! The next stat to track - geographic location - where are your boards going? Any overseas? Who knows, maybe one is Oz.....Cheers Bron x

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    1. Hi Bron, Happy new Year! I know this year will be great already because we get to meet !!!! I am so excited! I love your idea of geographic location stat chart! 4 of my boards are surfed in France! Let me know if you want one to bring back as a souvenir when you come to visit us ;)

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