In an age of mass-produced boards that are created well outside your country code like Firewire or (sorry Kelly) but Slater Designs, here is a breath of fresh air and an example to the world that there are still guys out there who want to be students of the most perplexing art. Shaping a surfboard by hand and being good at it.
Here at Surf Bunker, we have had the fortuitous privilege to be able to talk to and meet many shapers about what they do and one thing has become clear. Firstly, you don't do it to make a lot of money, secondly is that if you are not good at it you won't last long. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating" as goes the saying.
It stands to reason then that the surfing world bows to guys that have been shaping boards for a long time, Al Merrick, Matt Biolos and other great innovators like Malcolm Campbell or Dane Hantz. But what of the new generation? The up and coming shapers?
Jack Dell-Rennie is twenty years old from Wensleydale in Victoria, he has made a few boards and boy do they look good. He surfs a bit like Alex Knost whom he idolises and seems to be approaching the industry with the right perspective.
Skilled, humble and with a lot to learn, will we look back on this video one day and celebrate the induction of another shaping legend? Only time will tell. What Jack does bring is hope that while the art of handshaping a surfboard may be losing the war against automation currently, it is a long way from dead.
yew