SHAPER DIRECTORY

Warner Surfboards

Interview with Brett Warner

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

My main motivation at the moment is simply to make better surfboards.

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

I'm just constantly refining. But I seem to be using heaps more concave.

How have board designs changed in the last five years?

There's a trend of there being less and less foam.

How long have you been shaping?

12 years.

Approximately how many boards have you shaped in your lifetime?

I'm not sure exactly but between 6000 and 8000.

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

A whole range of things at the moment. Everyone's riding something different. Double enders, fishes, high performance short boards… just everything.

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

Don't lie to the shaper about your ability.

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

I haven't got a real big team. Just Koby Abberton who rides a 6'1" X 18 X 3/8. Plus Tom Salverson, Davy Cathels and Mick Cain.

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

As a personal preference I go for glassed in fins but all the systems are good particularly if you're travelling. The most widely used are FCS so if you have troubles you can get the fins in any shop around the world.

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

Al Merrick who been at the forefront for a long time now. I like Eric Arakawa and I also like Bushman's guns.

Anything else you would like to get off your chest?

Yeah, just that some people complain about board prices and you can make a board for $300. But when you add in sales tax, super, equipment etc it balloons out pretty quick. But it's worthwhile going to a good quality manufacturer as you're guaranteed on a quality product.