(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, April 23, 2016

board#103: funboard for Xavier


Dimensions: 8'0 x 20 3/4 x 2 3/4
Completed in July 2015 @ SWOP workshop

The story: Like every year, I get the opportunity to sneak into SWOP’s shaping room. This way I can shape few boards for my French compatriots and friends instead of taking relaxing vacation. Just kidding!!! Always a great pleasure to be shaping in France and get more training on my board making skills by Master David Charbonnel (shape) and his Master wife Frederique Seyral (artwork). I can’t thank them enough for their welcome and the great healthy food I am fed during my stay there!

The first board I shaped there was for my brother-in law Xavier. Family comes always first!


The shape: This board is a replica of a Xavier’s “favorite-board-ever” but too beaten to be surfed anymore. I brought the board back to the shaping bay and I shaped something as similar as possible. Always a bonus to have the board with me so I can feel the volumes/rails while shaping.

The artwork: unlike at home where can spend more time on artwork, in France, I have to make sure the boards are ready before I leave. Time on artwork is limited.  Xavier asked for an octopus. The reason is because, where he works people ask him to multitask so much that he always says : “I don’t have 8 hands!!! I am NOT an octopus!!!”


This year, the glass was done by Nicolas from the Lacanau Surf Designs team. Great people. Great job!







2 comments:

  1. Totally awesome artwork! Love it!
    Bron

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    Replies
    1. :) I love octopus because they can hug you 4x more !!! and I love hugs! hugs to you Bron!

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