mark cummins eye shapes
What made you want to become a surfboard shaper? Shapers get all the glory ha ha, it takes a team of craftsmen to create a real gem of a board. The glasser and sander always get forgotten, no glory. So I shape, glass and sand all my boards, quality control and I can share the glory.
Best thing about being a shaper? Watching people getting
stoked riding your boards.
Worst thing about being a shaper? Flat out during summer when you really just want to go the beach. You need to order your boards during winter people, thanks.
Who inspires your shaping? Surfer? Well its gotta be Kelly, he pushes where a board can go; Cloudbreak and everyone’s pulling out there 8’ guns and he rocks up with a 5’10” or a 6’0”. Outside the box, love it.
Shaper? Could say this legend or that but it’s gotta be the quiet legend, Col Ladham, that guy’s forgotten more about board design than most will ever know. I was lucky enough to work with Col for a time and he really does cut some beautiful boards, all handshaped. Reckon he could shape with the lights off ha ha.
What are you focusing on this year as a shaper? Boards that go, I want lighter, faster boards. Getting great feedback from the team guys (Leon Santorik and Matt Bennett), which is helping develop the models. Just because the board goes great doesn’t mean it can’t go better. Surfboard companies are starting to include board volume on their dimensions, do you think it’s a good measurement to base your board choice on and how do you decide what volume board fits you? It’s great to keep an eye on your volume for sure, as important as your other dimensions. There are some great calculators out there now that are pretty accurate but it does depend on the board you’re having made, the type of board and the conditions the board is been made for. Have an idea of your volume but that number isn’t the end all be all. With pretty much every shaper using a computer to shape their boards do you
think shapers will ever become irrelevant in the future? The shaping machines are a great tool for sure, not only can you cut exactly what you are after but you can re cut exactly the same time after time, so for the surfer that loved that board the honeymoon ain’t over. As for the end of the shaper, it’s the knowledge going into the shape that counts whether it’s handshaped or created on software and finish shaped by hand.
What board should every surfer have in their quiver? An Eyeshapes ha ha, it was worth a go. The most popular boards by far are the slightly shorter, slightly wider, still keeping your volume, slightly fuller out lines. Boards that can be surfed 2’ to overhead and back again, just great all-rounder’s, yes they are available.
Who’s the future of NZ surfing? It’s all go at the Mount, young Kehu is going great and so are the Ririnui brothers Lee and James. Also Maaia Reid-Bennett is looking good for the girls. NZ looking good. Watch this space world.