 Current City: Costa Mesa, CA What inspires you most in your shaping? My customers. I try hard to understand each person’s concept of the ideal surfboard. I approach every board as a unique project aimed at meeting the need of the rider, both functionally and artistically. What made you want to become a shaper? Lots of factors but if I had to pinpoint it I would say my Mom and pure love of the sport. My Mom is a lifelong artist. Growing up I can remember all of the different art projects that would be going on around the house. Her customers would come by with ideas of what style of art they were interested in. Mom was always (and remains) great at translating those ideas into a tangible piece of art. The satisfaction of turning those visions into artistic reality that really made someone happy was something that I really wanted to be a part of. It took me awhile to figure out my art form. Ironically, it had been right underneath me for years, surfboards! I think all of the greatest achievements that I have made in life, have in some way, been influenced by surfing. Building surfboards is my way of giving back. What makes your brand unique? I think that each of our boards has a unique personality, fostered by lots of love during the build process. Uhuru is a grassroots, family run business; Mom does all of the airbrush and artwork, my wife designs clothes and coordinates events and I do all of the shapes and designs. What we can do next with our boards is regular dinner conversation. What are your most popular models? I think most people have their “go-to” thruster shortboard dialed in their quiver. The trend lately has been toward going shorter and wider without compromising the overall volume of the board. Our “PocketKnife” and “Soulcraft” models really seem to be working well for our customers. What are your career shaping accomplishments or highlights? Every new customer we get who is stoked on one of our boards is how we measure our success. Nothing else matters. What shaping/surfing trend would you like see end, and one you would like to see continue? I would like to see the continued “pride of ownership” of surfboards rather than viewing them as a disposable commodity. I appreciate that surfers are looking for unique boards that suit their personal approach to surfing rather than following the pack. Green materials. I appreciate that manufacturers and suppliers are developing ways to provide a more eco-friendly surfboard. With continued support and investment we can develop surfboards that perform, look sharp and protect the resources that our sport is so dependant upon. In summary, no negative trends, just opportunities to rethink the norm. With what project are you having the most fun on? Collaborative surfboard design. We have been getting great feedback from our customers with our approach to design, both from the shape perspective and the artistic element that go into a customer’s surfboard. We take the customer’s ideas and develop diagrams and proofs for the overall design. We keep going through iterations until we capture the rider’s vision for their board. We then provide periodic text and photo updates as their board moves through the manufacturing process. What we’ve found is that it truly helps the riders become connected with their boards even before they first grab the rail or sight the rocker. What’s the most important thing for customers to understand when ordering a surfboard? Take your time and do your best to communicate your needs in a surfboard. If you have questions, ask. If your shaper doesn’t have time or won’t listen, then move on. What’s part of the job is most rewarding? Lots of things. Through building surfboards, I love being an enabler of people’s creative ideas. I enjoy sharing the experience with my family and friends. It is also very unique and satisfying to be a part of an industry that is built by people who truly find enjoyment and satisfaction out of the products they make. What shapers have had an influence on you? Why? I’m influenced by any shaper that is passionate about their craft. Thanks to Lynn Shell, Dano, John Carper, Jim Phillips, Carlos Lopez. Where do you stand on alternative materials? I am totally open to alternatives that have a purpose and provide value. We have been experimenting with alternatives for years, like recyclable and recycled EPS, non-toxic epoxy resins, hemp and bamboo as fabrics. If it works we will use it. What feature is the most vital to a board working? Belief! Aside from the obvious design features (appropriate sizing, rockers, rails etc.) I think one of the most critical factors is your mental approach to your surfboard. If you feel connected to the board out of the water then it will work well for you in the lineup. I strongly support collaborating with our customers during the design process as I feel it supports that connection. What keeps you excited in the board building industry? I really like pushing the boundaries both from the design aspect and artistically. We like to think of new ideas to keep our surfboards performing well and looking beautiful. We put a lot of effort into our shapes, airsprays as well as our graphic inlay process (we can integrate any design or photograph into a surfboard). Through collaborative design we can really get personal with our surfboards and the sky really is the limit. If you could only have 3 boards what would they be? Modern wide-bodied quad fish – Quads have incredibly drive and the “stubby” outline of a fish help you whip through soft sections and turn tight in the pocket. “Go to” Thruster – Nothing pivots quite like a thruster. When the waves are right there is no better board than your everyday shortboard. 9’+ Longboard – Work on your style points and cruise by your friend smiling. Describe your favorite board: My favorite board at the moment is a 6’2” x 19 7/8” x 2 3/8” Soulcraft quad with a full outline, wide tail and rounded nose. It flies through the sections and chucks lots of spray. Deck channels on top to grab when duck-diving. Personalized airbrush by Mom. What more could you ask for? How do you reduce, reuse, and reride? Our Artistic Board Design series takes used surfboards and turns them into beautiful art pieces to enhance any environment. We cover the boards in stained glass and tile mosaics to create truly one of a kind art pieces. We recycle all of our EPS foam with Marko Foam and collaborate with our vendors on the development of alternative building materials such as foams and fabrics.
Anyone you want to plug? Everyone that has helped grow and foster our brand and continue our education on building better surfboards. Thanks to Ty and Clay at Marko Foam. Jim and the crew at PureGlass. Ray and the team at Clearwater. Chris “Skinny” Skinner for being a better Hype Man than Flava Flav! | 
