As you may have gathered, we like surf craft at Surf Bunker, we also like to honor and recognize those that put the blood and sweat into designing and building the best wave riding machines. Whatever the length of board or the size of wave, there is the skill, determination and level of creative genius that is required to produce some of the most functional and unique craft that are available to us rabid, wave riding geeks.
We would like to celebrate with you 5 of the most prolific yet under relatively undiscovered surfboard shapers.
Wavegliders by Nico
It is hard to convey the quality and feel of the hand shaped craft, from the nose rider longboards to the mini Simmons type quads and twinnys - they all exude class and feel like they are built to last a lifetime. The attention to detail and the finish are second to none.
MS Surfboards by Mitch Surman
Mitch Surman makes logs for a living, the boards are staggeringly good and he clearly charges too little for his time. There is a magical relationship between man and foam that perhaps comes from the level at which he surfs.
One of Jacksons finest british log.
Tyler Hatzikian(okay not so undiscovered)
Tyler started building boards in his mum's garage at the age of 12. Yes, 12 years old. He has been restoring classic American cars since he was 16 years old and resides in El Segundo, Southern California. He shapes from a different angle, almost as if the short board revolution didn't ever happen, and looks to create his own special path in board design starting from where the old masters left off in the late 60's. Today Tyler's boards are amongst the most sought after in the world, and after having a go on one myself I can see what all the fuss is about.
One of many takes on the mini simmons.
Bluff Longboards by Jackson Higgs
Jackson Higgs is (and I don’t say this lightly) in the master craftsman range of shapers. Someone who specialises in quality old school logs, he surfs pretty well too. All his boards are made 100% by hand, no one else touches them from start to finish and the finish is excellent.
handmade boards, the only way to go.
Feelflows Surfboards by Pedro
Sometimes in life you discover things that seem to good to be true. You know, when your natural reaction is not to tell anyone. No, it is your secret and if you tell anyone it might evaporate just like a mirage on the horizon. Well here is a leap of faith right here as I am about to let this little secret out into the global ether,oh boy, believe the hype...
Tyler Hatzilian with the 'want factor'
A virtual dusting of the hands and a job well done. The message as always perhaps is to look at (if you have one) your local shaper is doing and get a board made for you, sometimes genius is hiding just around the corner.
handmade boards, the only way to go.
The sweet tail by ??
Feelfolws 'The Herring'
Mitch Surman, shredding on one of his logs.
Tyler Hatzilian with the 'want factor'
One of Jacksons finest british log.
One of many takes on the mini simmons.