board#121: egg for Arlin

Arlin with board#121

Dimensions:  7'8 x 21 1/2 x 2 7/8

[completed in January 2016]

The story: I met Arlin on Facebook when she ordered her first Mere-Made surfboard in 2015 (board#083). Arlin is a mermaid who lives with her son in Texas where she makes sure to fully live their salted dreams. Arlin drove 2 full days (from Austin) to pick-up her board im California...She is a one of a kind! A very inspiring woman.  I was so excited to make her another stoke vehicle!

The shape: after the noserider, Arlin was ready for a shorter, more manoeuvrable board. I recommended the Vim model which I tested personally.   I kept some volume for floatability. For  speed I added a single which ends-up with a slight Vee and a couple of channels.

The artwork: Arlin was very determined on the colors and design. I just followed her wishes!

we love you Arlin!

board#120: longboard for the Camp Pendleton Surf Club

Colin (on the left) with nephew
welcoming the Marines' board

Dimensions: 8'0 x 22 1/4 x 2 3/4

[completed in January 2016]

Model Vim

The story: such a great story behind that surfboard and an example of why I am so passionate about making custom surfboards! One day I receive a message through FB Messenger from Colin Cooper who is an officer at the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. He said the base's surf club (Camp Pendleton Surfclub) was looking for a "commemorative" surfboard which would be mainly on display for memorial events (at the main Marine Corps based in the US!!!) and surfed only in official paddle-outs. This board would display the logo/motto of the Marines... I was in shock by such an honor and I asked him "why me"? Colin said they considered a couple of shapers but my surfboards stood out for having the most soul. I was in deeper shock and, of course,  I accepted this very special order right away. 

The shape: I met Colin in person to discuss the details of the shape. Even though it was mainly a display board I told him I want to board to be fully ridable. We decided on a classic egg/longboard shape which coule be easy to paddle during memorial paddle outs. 

The artwork: it was not very long before Colin and I figured out the board would be all black with white Marines logo (printed by Boardlams). I painted the foam in black and asked Global Glassing to apply an opaque black resin tint on top  with a polish finish. The result was mind-blowing. One of my favorite board in terms of aesthetic and meaning.

Thank you Colin for the opportunity!

board#070: longboard for Nicolas

Nicolas & board#070

Dimensions: 8'0 x 22 1/4 x 2 3/4
[completed in November 2014]
Vim model

The story: Nicolas and his wife Natacha are our oldest friends in the US. We met them shortly after we arrived in San Diego in year 2000. We never lost touch since them. Always caring for each other. Nicolas used to shape and glass his own windsurf boards with his dad when he was a teenager. Here in San Diego he occasionally surf when the water permits to trunk it. I was super excited when he asked for a Mere-Made!

The shape: Nicolas sent me the dimensions of his current board with the instructions of going smaller. I used one of my favorite egg template (the Vim model I created for Laurie, link here) and complied with Nicolas' wishes.

The artwork: I tried really hard to convince his wife, Natacha, a talented artist to paint his board. After a lot of discussion I had to agree that her style (beautiful colorful flowers, see her website here) was not very adapted to a male surfboard. However Natacha is still part of the artwork as it is inspired by her citizenship country: Spain. With the black rails, I painted an Osborne Bull silhouette which served as advertisement board on the major roads of Spain. I remembered those from when I traveled with my family Spain and I thought it would ring the bell of people who went there too. Also Nicolas specially requested that the toro should "display" its male attributes. Men…

board#025: longboard for Laurie

Dimensions: 8'0 x 22 x 2 7/8
[completed in July 2013]

The story: My friend Rob wanted to surprise his wife Laurie for their 9th marriage anniversary. He ordered me a surfboard and the secret was kept even though I was seeing Laurie every week at the beach or at my house, chatting just 5 feet away from the shaping room where her board was being made...  Meanwhile I was discussing details with Rob over emails and texts. He just gave it to her two days ago, on the very day of their anniversary. 

The shape: Rob knew exactly what he wanted for his wife. He emailed me the dimensions and I designed it with the free online software SurfDesigner. My input was minimal except for the rails that I brought the rails down  as I wanted  a very evolutive board as Laurie is not a beginner and she will improve very fast. So despite being 8'0, this egg looks FAST!!!

The artwork: Rob had a very precise idea about the artwork. He designed a logo himself for this special occasion. It represents the name of his wife embedded in a Yin& Yang configuration... because Rob found his soul mate in Laurie!

I kinda wanted to have Laurie to participate to the artwork as she is a talented artist (soon to open a gallery!) but Rob really really wanted to keep it as a surprise. She can still add some of her own art later as the white of the blank is like a white page ready for more later...

Logo designed by Rob for his wife

Laurie, stoked, right after her first session

Rob and Laurie = L-O-V-E