Jaxon Surfboards : Homespun sticks made by you. 

Every once in a while we discover something that is so simple and right but something that we have never considered before. I am talking about an idea, a really good idea that has not been done before, at least to my knowledge, and in such a way.

Jaxon Surfboards are based near Helston, Cornwall in the UK. Jaxon has a skill that he wants to share with people; an art form that has mystified people since the first wave was ridden, shaping surfboards. We perhaps all have a rough idea of some of the stages of building a board, but in what order, time-scales, products and all the tricks and secrets of the trade, those are things that you have to find out by yourself. Not any more.

Jaxon runs courses of about 5 days that allow you design, shape and produce your own board. Yes, you make your board and you get all the professional help from the man himself. It's possible to stay on-site and the whole process, including materials, costs a similar price to just ordering a board, but you get the knowledge too. This seems to me like a deal that's too good to be true. We asked Jaxon if he had time to answer a few questions for you lucky people so we could find out a bit more about what he does.

SB: Hey Jaxon, thanks for sparing the time for Surf Bunker. How have the waves been with you guys recently?

Jaxon: No worries! Surfs recently been unusually ok for this time of year. No consistent swell but normally always a wave to be found. Looking forward to September / October swell over here and getting away somewhere a warmer in the New Year!

SB: Where are you from, where did you grow up and what is your background in surfing?

Jaxon: I got introduced to surfing from a pretty young age, I actually grew up near Bristol, surfing a lot at weekends with my old man in Devon and North Cornwall. Cornwall was always my second home, spending every school holiday in a flat we had on the beach near Polzeath, there was loads of great secret surf spots to get away from the crowds.

SB: What first gave you the idea to set up the shaping workshop?

Jaxon: Whilst I was a student studying boat design at University we had access to this awesome composite workshop (set up for fibre glassing composite materials) where I was able to build boards from. After I finished there, the technician and I set up group courses in the workshop on making your own board.

It was after the success of those workshops that made me realise how much more fun it is in sharing the stoke and showing others how to build their own custom boards. I travelled around running workshops at various different sites for a while until 4 years ago now where I moved to my new set up. It's now a much better set up for small groups and one to one courses.

SB: Do people who attend a course and shape their own board really leave with the knowledge of how to repeat the process?

Jaxon: The course is open to all ages and abilities, some people on the course just want to have a holiday, make a cool board and get some waves in and others are really keen to set up their own business or start backyard shaping. I can cater any requirement. We’ve had a few success stories in the past who have gone on to continue making amazing boards at their local break and it's really nice to know that’s down to the experience they had making their first board with me.

I think that from building your own board you get a much greater appreciation for how they're made. It's an incredibly addictive and enjoyable experience building boards, and I think it's great that people can continue to build boards at home and even share their new skills and expertise with others.

SB: The bothy looks like a good option for accommodation. Are there any other options nearby?

Jaxon: Yeah the bothy's great. I rent that out throughout the year. If you didn’t want to stay onsite in the bothy or pitch a tent / camper then Falmouth host loads of great campsites, B&Bs and hotels. It's also a really lively place with loads of nice pubs and places to go and eat and other things going on. Porthleven has great value for money week lets as well as Cornwall best reef breaks.

SB: I really want to book up and come and learn more about building boards, do you run courses all year round?

Jaxon: I currently run the courses from mid March till the end of October. I'm building boards throughout the year and run the odd pop up courses at various dates throughout the winter.

SB: As a  shaper yourself, who do you look up to for influence?

Jaxon: I really get inspired by the boards Jeff McCallum makes, steering clear of the mass production, making bespoke one off beautiful boards. I'm really into trying out new designs and materials and experimenting with boards, and I think the likes of Ryan Burch are really pushing some pretty radical designs.

SB: Where is your favourite wave in the world?

Jaxon: I've spent a bit of time out in Indo and I’m a goofy footer so I was in paradise in Bali surfing in and around Padang Padang and Uluwatu, they were the most amazing waves I’ve ever ridden….But there’s nothing like some of our local spots in Cornwall on a good day!

SB: What was the first board you shaped like? Do you still have it?

Jaxon: Yeah still got it somewhere. Was super fat and quite heavy but really fun. I really over complicated the design initially, so it's had a few modifications over the years and one or two hefty repairs but she still floats!

SB: What is the best time of year to book in at your place for a workshop?

Jaxon: If you're also keen to surf, although the water's still pretty cold, March and April we get some pretty good waves. July and August are most popular but never a guarantee of swell. For me it's September, October time, when the crowds go but it's still warm.

SB:This interview was conducted in peak busy time for Jaxon so thanks again to him for sparing the moments. I could not think of a better birthday/Christmas present for any surfer that is even mildly interested in board building. Maybe a staff 'team building' course might go down well for all Surf Bunker employees, what do you reckon boys?