SHAPING VS. SCRAPING

World titles are now won on machine-shaped surfboards. Yet many surfers cling to the concept of hand-shaped superiority. Today, the collective consciousness of surfers still seems fiercely loyal towards tradition. Although, overall knowledge of board design and construction appears to be on the wane. While there are plenty of pros and cons to explore in this dispute, the main question is this: as board design and technology evolves, does our idea of good shaping need to evolve with it?

The age-old debate of man versus machine is most evident in the surfing world when people talk boards. From woods like koa and balsa, to polyurethane foam, to epoxy, and carbon-flex hybrid composites, surfboard design has evolved through years of tradition. Today, high-tech modern blades are a far cry from the paulownia alaias that Hawaiian royalty crafted to gracefully glide through swells centuries ago. With new methods and tech emerging, boards are set to diversify even further. However, not everyone celebrates these changes. Discussions around board quality and design can quickly turn into heated and emotional debates. Where should loyalties lie when shopping for a new stick?

Here’s a microcosm of the usual arguments we hear for and against modern machine-aided shaping.

Salty traditionalist: “Surfboard shaping is an art that should be treasured, respected and perfected by hand. These machine shapers are sell-outs.”

Man-bun rocking soul surfer: “Dude, relax, will you? Remember that footage of Kelly and Taj riding doors and tables in ‘Fair Bits’? We overthink this stuff.