The BREAKDOWN: The Top 5 Surfboard Shapers on Oahu
Hello from Bri Steel, Broker/Realtor® & Owner of Cocolani Realty!
Oahu, home to some of the most famous waves in the world, has a thriving surfboard shaping scene. From small, independent shapers to larger, well-known brands, the island is home to a diverse group of talented individuals who are dedicated to producing high-quality boards.
As a surfer, having the right surfboard can make all the difference in the water. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting, finding a surfboard that fits your specific needs and riding style is crucial for optimal performance and enjoyment.
That’s where surfboard shapers come in. These skilled craftsmen and women play a vital role in the surf community, creating custom boards that allow surfers to ride at their best. In this article, we will be highlighting the top 5 surfboard shapers in Oahu, based on criteria such as reputation, quality of boards, and innovation.
Image source: www.patrawsonsurfboards.com
Pat Rawson Surfboards
Pat Rawson Surfboards is a surfboard company based in Oahu, Hawaii. The company was founded by Pat Rawson, who started shaping surfboards in 1966 and has been manufacturing them since 1972. He is famous for his high-quality craftsmanship and innovative designs and sells his surfboards to 19 nations globally from six hi-tech manufacturing zones.
The founder’s acclaim extends from sunset beach, which is his home base, to the shores of Australia, Japan, Europe, and South and Central America. The company is located in the heart of Oahu's North Shore, which is known for its world-class surf breaks. Rawson works closely with his team of experienced craftsmen to create custom surfboards that are tailored to the individual needs of each customer. Formerly, he utilized a milling machine to continually create quality surfboards for experienced professionals and amateurs alike.
With technological advancements in this field, the company uses improved CAD software that enables shapers to duplicate and make changes to different designs. The company offers a wide range of surfboard models, including shortboards, longboards, and stand-up paddleboards. In addition to producing some of the best surfboards in the world, Pat Rawson Surfboards is also deeply involved in the local surf community. The company sponsors a number of local surf events and is committed to giving back to the community through various charitable initiatives.
Image source: www.pyzelsurfboards.com
Pyzel Surfboards
Pyzel Surfboards is a surfboard shaping company that was founded by Jon Pyzel. The founder started shaping boards as a hobby while he was still in high school, and his passion for surfboard design quickly turned into a full-time career. He was inspired by Matt Moore, who incorporate Pyzel onto his team and began shaping his boards while explaining principles and ideas surrounding surfboard designs. He established Pyzel Surfboards in the late 1990s and has since built the company into one of the most respected surfboard brands in the industry.
One of the defining moments in his career was when Alex Florence approached him to create a board for her five-year-old son in 1998. Since then, both individuals have been working together, leading to the success of Alex Florence’s son John John. John John Florence won the 2016 World Championships while riding Pyzel surfboards and is considered by many to be the best surfer in the world. Pyzel is known for his precise craftsmanship and attention to detail, and his boards are highly sought after by surfers around the world.
Notably, Pyzel Surfboards has a unique "robot shaping" system that allows them to produce a consistent and precise product. Besides the impressive list of sponsored surfers, Pyzel has also achieved numerous accolades and achievements within the surf industry. He has won numerous awards for his surfboard designs, including the SIMA (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association) "Surfboard of the Year" award multiple times. Pyzel has also been recognized for his contributions to the surf industry by being inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame.
Image source: www.bushmansurfboards.com
Bushman Surfboards
Bushman Surfboards is a surfboard company located in "The Swamp,” a neighborhood in Oahu, Hawaii located across the street from Sunset Beach. The company was founded by surfboard shaper Matt "Bushman" Kinoshita, who has been shaping surfboards since the early 1980s.
His interest in surfing and his expertise as a carpenter led him to start this career, where he managed to shape approximately 3,000 surfboards without any specific training from anyone. Before establishing his company in Oahu, Bushman worked with Bill Bilia to license Nirvana Surfboards, which contributed significantly to preparing team riders, including Mark Sainsbury, Ross Clark-Jones (RCJ), Ace Buchan, and Shane Powell.
Bushman Surfboards is known for its high-quality workmanship and unique, one-of-a-kind surfboard designs. They are suitable for athletic and powerful waves, such as the Waimea Bay, Pipeline, and Backdoor among other quality waves. The company offers a wide range of surfboard models, including shortboards, longboards, and stand-up paddleboards.
Throughout his career, this founder has collaborated with over 200 exemplary surfers, including Occy, Mick Lowe, Flynn Novak, Chris Davidson, Tiago Pires, Nathan Hedge, Tony Ray, Zeke Lau, Paul Patterson, Grant "Twiggy" Baker alongside their counterparts. He has attained top-five finishes in the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational compared to his fellow shapers with RCJ winning in 2001. Bushman works closely with each customer to create a custom surfboard that is tailored to their individual needs and surfing style.
Image source: www.arakawasurfboards.com
Arakawa Designs
Eric Arakawa Designs is a surfboard company based in Oahu, Hawaii. The company was founded by Eric Arakawa, who built his first board at 14 years old. His father taught him to surf at the early age of 10 years in Waikiki on a 7’0 round-tailed Barry Kanaiaupuni mini-gun. By 1977, the Hawaiian Island Creations contracted him to shape boards, boosting him financially to the extent of establishing his company in the early 1980s. The founder is recognized as a renowned designer committed to the advancement and innovation of high-performance surfboards, which have been used by more than ten world champions.
Following his prowess as a surfer, Arakawa focuses on shaping boards that ignite people’s interest to engage in surfing, whether mini-Simmons, short, or longboard. His boards have been used in numerous big wave and longboard world tours. He has received recognition from the surfing media because of his success, including featuring in Surfing Magazine’s Shaper in 2003.
Image source: www.aipasurf.com
Ben Aipa Surfboards
Ben Aipa is a legendary surfboard shaper and pioneer of the shortboard revolution in surfing. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1943 and began surfing as early as eight years. The founder started shaping surfboards in the 1960s and was recognized for creating the board that Fred Hemmings used in 1968 and won the world championships on.
This success inspired him to develop the Aipa Surfboards brand in 1970 and later developed the double-edged swallowtail board in 1972. One of Aipa's most famous creations is the "stinger," a short, wide surfboard with a pointed nose and tail that was designed for quick and agile surfing in small waves. The stinger helped to popularize the shortboard revolution in the 1970s, and it remains a popular choice for surfers today.
In addition, he coached talented surfers including Larry Bertleman, Sunny Garcia, Michael Ho, Mark Liddell, Kalani Robb, and Brad Gerlach.
In 1989, he won the United States Surfing Championship’s grandmaster’s division and the legends division of the 2000 U.S. Championships. In 1992 he was inducted into the surfing hall of fame and named among the top ten shapers in the 2004 Surfing Magazine.
Presently, Ben Aipa's surfboards are highly sought after by surfers around the world and are considered to be some of the finest surfboards available. His unique designs and attention to detail have made him a legend in the surfing community.
To wrap things up…
Oahu is home to some of the best surfboard shapers in the world. These top shapers are dedicated to producing high-quality boards that allow surfers to ride at their best. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, be sure to check out these amazing shapers for your next surfboard.
At Cocolani Realty we bring a fresh and innovative “boutique” approach to real estate in the Hawaiian Islands. In the process, we make dreams come true.
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Call or email us to set up an appointment with our broker and owner, Bri Steel.
Bri Steel
Broker/Realtor® + Owner
Cocolani Realty
831.200.6338
bri@cocolanirealty.com
Bri Steel at the Cocolani Realty office with her two mini Aussies Kiwi and Fiji.
