SHAPER DIRECTORY

Oke Surfboards

Interview with Neil Oke

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

To keep food on the table and my family employed.

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

Nah, not really.

How have board designs changed in the last five years?

Boards getting shorter and wider.

How long have you been shaping?

35 years

Approximately how many boards have you shaped in your lifetime?

Heaps

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

Just trying to create the perfect board for each individual.

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

Not much.

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

Be honest with your ability and bring in a slab of beer.

Who is on your surf team?

Liam Jolly - 5'11"x 18 1/8"x 2 1/8"
Jonny Leggatt - 6'2" x 18 ¼" x 2 ¼"
Jase Owen - 6'2" x 18 1/4" x 2 1/8"
Matt Barrett - 6'0" x 18 1/8" x 2 1/16"
Nathan Barrett - 5'11" x 18" x 2 1/16"

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

Speeedfins.

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

Anyone who makes a living from making boards.

Anything else you would like to get off your chest?

Nah.