SHAPER DIRECTORY

Benjamin Wallbridge Surfboards

Interview with Benjamin Wallbridge

Whats your main motivation for shaping surf crafts at the moment?

Always trying to perfect clean lines and foils in my shapes, so I am always trying old designs and experimental ones. Hand shapes only get better the harder you push the success of the shape and refinement.

Is there anything you are doing differently now as opposed to 12 months ago?

I'm always trying different types of removable fins, resin, cloth, and blanks to create the lightest and whitest surfboard. Some people say things haven't changed for30 years in the materials and construction of surfboards which isn't true, the small subtle things can be difference between a perfect and average board.

How have board designs changed in the last five years?

The acceptance of wider, flatter and fatter designs which the average Joe should be riding so they can reach a more satisfactory level of surfing instead of riding a sports car suited to the perfect wave or pro.People are finally realizing it is all about having fun!

How long have you been shaping?

Got my licence bought a blank, shaped a board and drove to Cactus to try it. Got tubed and have been shaping since 15 years.

Approximately how many boards have you shaped in your lifetime?

Thousands of hand shaped, glassed, sanded, sprayed boards to know what I'm doing and still improving.

What design innovations are you currently working on at the moment?

Still the same lighter, brighter and whiter board possible. Also enjoying the use of speed fins as they are best described as interactive fin. Reacting sharply in your turns and giving you a sense of gliding with hold and drive down the line.

What do you think the current surfboards designs could improve upon?

A totally recyclable board made of natural based products or even food based. A surfboard once bored with could invite your friends around and stick it on Barbie and have a feast, the new meaning to a banana board.

What advice would you give the average punter when ordering a board for the first time?

Try some of your friend's boards or hire, find one that you can handle get its dimensions or even take the board in to the factory and be realistic of your ability, I'm a kook or I can do a layback snap into a reverse.

Who is on your surf team?

Grover he rides a 4'11' x 14''x1 ¾'' triple concave diamond tail triple flyer with channels super light glass and loves doing airs! We've done boards for you, pros, state champs and Sesame Street who we all consider part of the team.

What is your advice on fins considering the options available today?

If you don't know what you want go removable so you can play around with different sized fins if not go with what the shaper is working with achieving the best results.

Apart from yourself, what other shapers do you think are leading the way at the moment?

Just look at the top surfers JS/Andy Irons, Dean Morrison, Al Merrick/Kelly Slater, Darren Handley/Mick and Joel, Dahlberg/Occy

Anything else you would like to get off your chest?

Surfing is about Fun.