SHAPER DIRECTORY
Passion 8 Surfboards
Interview with Mitch
Whats your main motivation for shaping surf crafts at the moment?
All I do is make surfboards. I love my job. I've always been passionate about every aspect of surfboards and their manufacturing. Come and see the difference.
Is there anything you are doing differently now as opposed to 12 months ago?
I have opened a retail store, in which I also have my shaping bay with a window for viewing by public.
How have board designs changed in the last five years?
A lot more bottom curve, with most shapers and surfers preferring concave boards.
How long have you been shaping?
25 years! Not just shaping but, SURFBOARD MAKING.
Approximately how many boards have you shaped in your lifetime?
100's and 1000's.
What design innovations are you currently working on at the moment?
Anything and everything the customer wants. Finding the right features to add in every board, to totally suit the individual riding.
What do you think the current surfboards designs could improve upon?
Overall quality with everyone wanting to be a shaper, it's hard to find guys to finish boards. Eg: glassing, sanding and durability.
What advice would you give the average punter when ordering a board for the first time?
Try and ride one of your friends boards and see how the board works for you. Talk to someone who cares.
Who is on your surf team? (Give me the dimensions of your best team riders short board)
Dion Agius - 5'9" x 17 5/8 x 2 3/16 Round tail, Single into double concave
Dara Penfold- 5'9" x 18 x 2 3/16 Swallow, single into double concave.
What is your advice on fins considering the options available today?
Try any of them. Get to know your fins and don't be afraid to change them around.
Apart from yourself, what other shapers do you think are leading the way at the moment?
Eric, Al Merrick. There are probably more if we believe the mags, these two are it!
Anything else you would like to get off your chest?
Machinery Drive is a circuit of surfboard manufacturers. Come and check us out before you buy elsewhere for all your surfboard needs and repairs. Passion 8 surf shop has quality surfboards, good advice and real prices.
