SHAPER DIRECTORY

D'Arcy Surfboards

Interview with Stuart D'Arcy

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

I shape to surf and surf to shape and put food on the table.

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

Working harder. Pushing quality with a new glassing company which has improved 100%

How have board designs changed in the last five years?

The most substantial change in board design in the last 5 years has been the countless options available in fins and fin systems. The wrong fin can make or break the surfboards performance.

How long have you been shaping?

15 years

Approximately how many boards have you shaped in your lifetime?

18,521!

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

Making the board more sensitive under the front foot. I'm also working with Layne Beachley on board designs just for girls.

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

Customising the board for the surfer who ordered it so they will improve their surfing with every new board. Shapers growing with their customers.

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

Talk to me, be truthful about your ability and I will change your surfing for the better. Surfer/shaper communication no matter what level you're at.

Who is on your surf team? (Give me the dimensions of your best team riders short board)

Asher Pacey 5'11 x 18 1/4 x 2 3/16
Layne Beachley 5'10 x 17 3/4 x 2 1/16

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

Glass on fins are the best unless you know what you are doing. If you choose the wrong fins for your board or put them in wrong, your board will never perform at its optimum and you will be blaming your shaper for shaping an inferior board. So if you're not quite sure, ask for glass on fins because this ensures the fins will be placed right for your type of board and your surfing style

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

There is not much difference between the top 5 at the moment, but I would say Tokuro, he has a lot of good curves and he is very custom orientated.

Anything else you would like to get off your chest?

Without shapers there are no surfers, no surf clothing companies, no hardware, just waves unridden. Respect the shaper and pay for what you get, low price means low quality.