RESHAPE SURF

With the surfboard shaping industry being globalized and a lot of our boards being manufactured overseas a lot of questions are raised about the shaping world. The days of custom boards have lessened.

Old board, new life.

Surfers are generally regarded as an “eco-friendly” community, yet we ride boards made of toxic foam that doesn’t decompose. Why not use natural materials? Natural materials are harder to shape, don’t perform as well and they cost much more.

These are all questions that have been milling around the surf industry for quite some time. We caught up with Film maker, shaper, blogger and all-around kinda guy, Chad Richmond to get an inspiration perspective on the surf board shaping his general forward thinking and enlightening perspective.

Chad has created the project ReShape and short film “Re”. “Re” is a film that challenges every surfer to rethink the way they look at broken surfboards and consider the potential backyard shaping has to not only keep foam out of landfills, but also to innovate new designs.

Chad’s “Alaia” made from recycled materials.

Reshaping and restoring old, beat up surfboards not only keeps foam out of landfills, but it is a great intro into shaping. Many projects can be done with basic tools in your backyard. Reshaping bridges the gap between ding repair and shaping. In many cases, you’re just altering the damaged area, so most of the work is already done for you.

The shortboard revolution in the late 60’s was a movement of surfers reshaping longboards fueled by their need for material.

Guys reshaping boards to charge Pipe is the raddest thing that’s ever happened in surfing. Maybe the current interest in alternative surf craft and and finless board design may be the catalyst we need for another backyard shaping movement?

About Reshape.surf

Chad partnered with Logan Brown (web designer/graphic designer) in creating a platform to share knowledge and inspire surfers to reshape their own boards: Reshape Surf. The are close to launching their website, Reshape.surf, but for now jump on your handy smart phone and follow the Reshape progress on instagram @reshape.surf.