(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

Sunday, January 22, 2017

board#124: noserider for Kendra







Dimensions: 9'0 x 23 1/2 x 3 1/8
[completed in March 2016]

The story: Gauthier and Kendra is a sweet couple from San Francisco. They both surf and they both picked me as their shaper for their new board. It was Kendra's idea as she liked the fact she would have a female shaper making her board. There is actually more behind that. Unfortunately Kendra had already ordered a custom board from a shaper in the Bay area. However when she picked it up, she realized that the board was extra heavy and the artwork/glass looked like it was rushed. She was so disappointed that she contacted me with the hope, as a woman, I would be more careful to details. It was therefore an interesting case where I had to compete with a board which existed already. Only I had to make it better. Pressure.

The shape: I followed the outline of the actual (defective) board since according to Kendra the shape was fine. It was a classic noserider shape with  squash tail and a spoon. For the details,  I made it a "Mere-Made Surfboard" because each shaper has his/her own style :)

The artwork: I had a very precise document in hand. Probably the most detailed and fancy sketch I ever received. It was created by Gauthier and showed me exactly what to do. I fell in love with that artwork which helped me going through that very technical spray. Basically I needed to create the effect of a resin tint but with spray paint. For each color I needed to mask/tape the whole board. And there were 5 colors... The time spent on this board was definitely extensive but so worth it !

The testimonial: I passed!!!! Kendra loved her board, so much more than than the original version she was so disappointed in! Plus I saw her riding it for the first time. Mission accomplished!

[selected by Boardporn]

Document sent for Gauthier for the artwork...








No comments:

Post a Comment