Shape

Late 2024 I did a surfboard shaping workshop with Richard Harvey on the Gold Coast. Was something I had wanted to do for a while. Taps into that DIY approach that has always been a part of surfing skating and snowboarding and I seem to come back to regularly in all sorts of areas. I decided to shape a seventies pin tail. Something that had that old school style and would suit the long lurching and rolling sectiony point at Caba.

I also thought it was something I couldn’t stuff up. Or at least couldn’t stuff up too badly. Even if it had kinks all over the place it is a single fin – and I am just pointing it down the line and using my hands as brakes – so I figure it would still work and be super fun. The flyers in it were Harv’s idea and also something he is known for. The tail on this ended up being one of the coolest elements. 

The shape is 6’5″ x 20″ x 2 5/8”. I have a 6’10” Christenson mid-length single at 6’10”. Epic board but it doesn’t fit in the cab of the truck. Hangs out the back and I can’t close it up. Not the most enlightened reason for choosing a board length but I would assume not uncommon. I was also interested in something I might be able to move around a bit easier. Grab rails. Put it where I wanted. That kinda thing.

This was a fantastic learning experience. I would definitely recommend anyone with an interest in getting to the core of what’s under their feet to go see Harvs. I am about to go back in. Shape a Twinny for my brother Matt over in NZ. The workshop runs over five days – two hours a day – one on one with Harvs. Check out his site: https://harveysurf.com/surfboard-shapers-workshop/

I scribbled down some Harvs Wisdom whilst I got to hang out with him. This was some of the stuff I made a note of. More for my memory than for anyone reading. But feel free to make of it what you will:

You take / shape most of the foam off the bottom / Minor adjustments can have massive impacts / Everything is magnified under pressure / You can always take it off but you can’t put it back on / caliPer after every cut / Inches are human Centimetres and millimetres are for machines / 1-45 2-22 3-11 / Never enough checking / Transfer through the medium / It is more about the shape than the volume / There are two types of surfers – those who ride the board – and those who ride the wave

Richard Harvey

And something from me. Some of the best surfing I have ever seen – at places like The Pass in Byron or the point at Lennox – seasoned old dudes – not one single turn – just a seemingly effortless and crazy ability to stay with and play with the wave.