Interview with the sequel, Mayhem!
Is there a bit of a "brotherhood of shapers" when it comes to sharing ideas, or is it more secretive? When you went to Australia, how was the reception from the shapers there?
I think people who are confident in their own world feel very comfortable talking openly with people they respect and know as passionate and authentic designers. Like-minded people tend to be very open with each other. Whenever Chilli and I meet, we share our latest tricks. Our collaboration is mutually beneficial, so it feels more open than usual. I chatted a lot with DH at the Taj victory party.
With so many well-known local shapers to choose from, none of the Gold Coast shapers seemed annoyed that so many Australians were riding your boards (and winning) in Burley and Snapper contests, right?
No surfers from the Gold Coast have ever used my boards in contests. Taj has mainly ridden Firewire for the last few years, although he does occasionally ride my boards because of my association with Firewire.
It's the same with Brett Simpson (who grew up in my hometown) who had his best performance last year on my board, then moved to JS in the offseason. They just do what feels best for them in the moment. That's true for all of us.
Can there be a board that suits every wave in every place? Or can there be a local shaper who makes something that is best suited to the local wave? Doesn't making boards shorter and more voluminous negate the need for boards that are tailored to the local wave?
I suppose the idea works in extreme waves, and in somewhat unique places like Snapper, Trestles, Hawaii, etc. it makes sense for surfers to try out local colors of boards, but in the end no one has ever won a lower water surfing contest with my board, and the fact is that at Snapper and Pipe, non-local boards have won more times than local boards.
Recently, Base went under and D'Arcy closed its factory. Some people are pessimistic about the flood of cheap boards from China. Do you think the future is bleak for American shapers?
I believe the Great China Curse has significantly narrowed the full spectrum of boards available. If the leaders of surfboard design are flexible, businesses moving in the opposite direction can adapt and survive, or simply adapt as the market changes. We at LOST are confident we can continue to build top-notch boards in the USA.
While there are certainly good reasons for the high-quality composite boards made overseas, traditionally shaped boards are still made to the best of our ability in local factories. Maintaining integrity is what makes a custom order.
It keeps everything special. I recommend custom ordering.
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