board#145: keel fish for Nick

Dimensions: 5'9 x 21 x 2 5/8
[completed in September 2016]
model V-bomb

The story: I shaped a couple of boards for Nick's family (board#024 and board#021 ). This order was in for a second keel fish for Nick.

The shape: I used that template I used for all my retro fish. Round generous rails. Flat bottom. A traditional keel fish !

The artwork: Nick gave me the freedom to create anything that would be simple to execute since he was not particularly set on any color or design. I tried that tri color fading (dark blue to lighter blue to white). 

Glass by Tiger G glassing.

[selected by Boardporn]

board#142: fish for Mark

Dimensions: 5'9 x 21 1/8 x 2 7/8

[completed in November 2016]

The story: board#009, board#32, board#50 (broken), board#73 and board#108 is how many Mere-Made boards Mark owns ! Board#142 is just the 6th board I make for Mark (and not the last). I think Mark is a Mere-Made surfboard collector :)

The shape: the first board I shaped for Mark was a classic keel fish (board#009).  A couple of years later, after seeing a shape video describing a more "performance" keel fish shape, including a concave (not usual on a keel fish) and narrower swallow tail, I locked myself in the shaping room to make Mark's new board. It was also gratifying to see the improvement I made in time of execution and precisions on those two fish.

The artwork: Mark asked for a resin tint which was executed by my glasser, Dewi from Tiger glassing! The color came out a bit stronger than expected but it is really hard to match someone's color wish...  But, I truly like the "lime" vibe on that fish (and so does Mark).

Mark with killer keel fish ! :)

board#140: asymmetrical fish at ND Surf workshop (July 2016)

board#140

Dimensions: [don't remember]
[completed on: Never]

The story:  In Summer 2016,  I stopped by my friend Nicolas Delors's workshop (ND Surf) located in Bidart (France). The idea was to have fun making a special shape together which would be the opportunity to share experiences and tips. When I arrived early that morning before the heat kicks in, a blank was waiting for me in the ND Surf's shaping room as well as local photographer Cedric Ortiz. He beautifully documented that special shaper collaboration which was made even more special by the visit of my mom (who had never seen me shape before) and longtime friend, past Icon of Foam competitor, and amazingly talented shaper Axel Lorentz. 

The shape: Nicolas and I decided we should pick an unusual shape to have fun with it but also with some technicalities which would make us learn from it.  Before we met we exchanged few ideas by emails and we finally went for a Carl Ekstrom asymmetrical board.  With the limited time we had, the board was partially completed but the goal was not to finish it in details: the goal was to go through all the steps together and have a great time! And that part was fully completed :)

Later, the photographs of this shaping session were used to illustrate an interview in French magazine Hotdogger. Here are a selection of those amazing pictures by Cedric Ortiz (https://www.instagram.com/txipi.artz/)

planning with Nicolas

with my mama <3

with mom

trio

with Master Axel Lorentz

in Hotdogger Magazine !

board#027: modern fish for Loic

modern fish with modern artwork

Dimensions: 6'8 x 21 5/8 x 2 1/2
[completed in September 2013]

The story: Loic lives in Los Angeles. He has a friend named Loick who is working for a nutrient company which is a supplier for my husband…. Complicated. In brief, the word is going around that Mere-Made boards are pretty awesome ;))) That is when I get an email for a new order from a person I don't know, (well, now I know him a bit more). Loic started surfing last year on a longboard. He wanted a shorter board but still easy to paddle to start transitioning into short boards. We went surfboard shopping so I can have a feel (and him too!) of what would be a good fit for him. He picked a fat modern fish. I said : let's go!!!

The shape: nothing special to report. Smooth & fast except for the tail which required some engineering thinking about the tools to create/use to shape such a tiny swallow tail. 

The artwork: well…. if the shaping part went smoothly, the artwork, on the other hand, was a bit of a mess. I screwed up, big time…. Loic wanted a checkered flag (used in the car races). I went for it but when taping the board, I totally spaced out and for some obscure reasons, I created extra spaces between the black/white squares. The worst part is that I only realized my mistake after painting it, while removing the tape. I looked at it and I went "Sh……t.!!!!" With a cold sweat, I immediately called Loic to explain the situation and sent a picture of the new design… He was such a sweet heart and said he liked the new pattern anyway (I actually like it better than a real checkered flag). Relief. But I learnt my lesson: not a bad idea to double check the taping pattern before painting.  Thank you Loic for your understanding!

When I got a text from Loic saying he was coming down from LA to pick up his board, I texted him back saying: "Don't forget the fins, leash and...your wetsuit". After the traditional photoshoot, we headed to the beach and he got to try it at my home spot. Loic was very excited and it is such a reward for the shaper to witness that! I wish I could do that with all my customers! 

sorry for the arachnophobics,
it was before Halloween

First wax. Emotion.

adopted at first sight!

de-taping...

oupsy...

not really a checkered flag
but looking damn good!

board#024: retro fish for Nick

[completed in July 2013]

The story: Nick is Carolyn's husband. Carolyn just got her Mere-Made Surfboard last spring. Two Mere-Made surfboards in their quiver. That is all I want to say!!!! More seriously, having returning customers means the world to me.

Nick had a Larry Mabile fish that he loved. One day he came to surf with it but the tail was showing a bad injury (and a pretty bad repair job :)). He decided to have this board replicated and trusted me on that. Thanks Nick!

The shape: I had my eyes (and hands!) on Nick's old board the whole time as it was sitting in the shaping room as the reference. Even though it was my first time making wings, the shaping part was effortless. I was done in less than 3 hours! Maybe it was because it was my second Larry Mabile replicate. Or maybe because I just had a training with shape mentor  and I applied all the new tricks I just learnt. Whaterver the reason, it felt very good!

The artwork: Nick sent me a pdf file one day. It was a very high resolution scan of a 1898 map of our coastline (stretching from Carlsbad to Del Mar). That is what he wanted on his board. Now it was my job to make his wish come true. My only option was to print that map on rice paper and John from Boardlams.com delivered a great product as usual! He also printed my very first white Mere-Made logo  which landed on the bottom of this board. Then I convinced Nick to go for an opaque resin tint on the bottom. The glassing was done at Bing. All together, the board was the most expensive one I ever done but it was worth it (I think :)): Nick was blown away by the result. I was also very pleased of the final product: I worked not only on the shaping part but also coordinated all the combined effort (printing/glassing) to make sure that Nick gets a board he will be proud of. 

Nick, unwrapping board#026

"Ta-Da!..."

first white Mere-Made logo ever!!!!

old toy vs new toy

very high quality print out
by Boardlams.com

locating our favorite break on the map :)
Shhhhh it is a secret spot!!!!