I'm putting together a little event that may or may not interest you... ... Three craftsman will be asked to find a surfboard within an 8' x 2' x 2' chunk of surfboard foam within a three hour time limit. The winning shaper will receive $1K. The Chunk of Foam Challenge takes place during The Boardroom at SurfExpo in Orlando, Florida, September 7&8. My hope is to continue to draw attention to, and to highlight, Florida's incredible surfboard shaping & manufacturing culture-- the craft of board building and the very core of the surf industry - especially in Florida. Three shapers:Juan Rodriguez of One World Surf Designs, and Stuart Sharpe of Sharpe Shapes & Ricky Carroll of R&D, will try their hand at crafting a surfboard out of a block of foam. SPINNING OF THE WHEEL The Chunk of Foam Challenge will kick off with the ceremonial spinning of the wheel. There will be three surfboard designs on the wheel, whatever design the arrow lands on determines the surfboard they will be asked to replicate. All three shapers will replicate the exact same surfboard design. THE UNVEILING Each shaper will be allowed to check out the surfboard i.e. hold it, feel its rails, and dwell on its intricacies for 60 seconds. That is all. The surfboard is then put behind stanchions -- for viewing only. No one is allowed within 10 feet of the board. THE TOOLS Each shaper may bring into the shaping bay only one power tool of their choosing. They may bring in any and all hand tools. However, they are not allowed any modern measuring devices: no tape, no T squares, no templates, no rocker bars. THE TIME Each shaper is allowed three hours. The time is strictly enforced. THE JUDGING A select panel of uniquely qualified distinguished, and subtly-gray haired judges will determine the winner. WHY There are hundreds of world-class surfboard shapers. But who can really shape a surfboard from just a chunk of foam? Is there a shaper that can create a board using just their hands, a few primitive tools and their inner vision? Harken back to the days of ancient Polynesian board building. Boards were made out of chunks of wood. If you wanted a board you found a tree. We are tweaking on that concept just a touch by challenging a selection of top echelon shapers to create a surfboard out of an 8' x 2' x 2' chunk of foam. This is an intriguing, entertaining, and fun opportunity to lift up and exalt the craft of shaping surfboards. That's it. The Boardroom @SurfExpo Sept. 7&8, 2013 Open to the Public ! Tribute to the Masters /Icons of Foam presented by US Blanks honoring East Coast legend Rich Price Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubblegum Surf Wax A room filled with world-class surfboards & surf equipment Live Shaping Live Laminating BEST OF SHOW Live music by Super Villains, Live art, New movies including the Dane Reynolds produced SLOW DANCE featuring Craig Anderson Much more... all at The Boardroom @SurfExpo
why dont you broadcast it on the web so us working slaves can watch and stick it to the man at the same time
Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like a blast. The Supervillians play great surf music, and the venue can't be beat. Time to stock up on surf stickers to giveaway for the next trip to Centro, and hit Typhoon Lagoon. It will be real fun to see what these guys can do in three hours with only a nail file and a hand plane.
Thanks for the kind words. Podcast is plodding along; trying to get it going more consistent. The Boardroom is OPEN to the public; first time Surf Expo has allowed a consumer event. Should be a good event; We should do some sort of U Stream of the event... so many good ideas... so little time... By the way; we'll be doing surf memorabilia/collectible appraisals; so if you have some good old boards or posters or decals, fins, mags, etc etc bring out on Saturday for expert "Roadshow" style appraisals. Hope to see you all there.
Boardroom open to public Thanks for the kind words. Podcast is plodding along; trying to get it going more consistent. The Boardroom is OPEN to the public; first time Surf Expo has allowed a consumer event. Should be a good event; We should do some sort of U Stream of the event... so many good ideas... so little time... By the way; we'll be doing surf memorabilia/collectible appraisals; so if you have some good old boards or posters or decals, fins, mags, etc etc bring out on Saturday for expert "Roadshow" style appraisals. Hope to see you all there.
Here's some info I put together for a recent press release - sort of gives you the overview. [video=youtube_share;mwZLt0bfNpc]http://youtu.be/mwZLt0bfNpc[/video] What To Expect At The Boardroom The Boardroom is the world’s foremost gathering for surfboard design and innovation and we are stoked to offer the entire East Coast surf community an opportunity to experience it during Surf Expo, September 7-8. This open-to-the-public event will be located on the Surf Expo South Hall Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center and admission is $10. Kids twelve and under and Surf Expo attendees can attend for free. Come connect with passionate surfers, shapers, and more than 40 exhibitors and don’t miss our series of special on floor events: Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters Presented By U.S. Blanks Shaping competition honoring legendary East Coast shaper Rich Price. Master shapers—including Pat Rawson, Stu Kenson, Bruce Regan, CT Taylor, Craig Cronin, and Taz Yassin—will attempt to replicate a classic Rich Price design in the US Blanks Shaping Bay. Each shaper receives 90 minutes in the shaping bay with his own tools. A blank and a template are provided; nothing else. The winning shaper receives $1,000 and their name etched atop the Mike Marshall Perpetual Trophy. Best of Show Exhibit An exhibitor competition where each manufacturer is invited to showcase one surfboard in this featured area. Judges will be looking for quality craftsmanship in all realms of the manufacturing process, including but not limited to: concept, design, shape, lamination, technology, and art. Chunk of Foam Challenge Presented By Bubblegum Surf Wax Harken back to the days of ancient Polynesian board building. Boards were made out of chunks of wood. We challenge a selection of shapers to create a surfboard out of an eight-foot by two-foot chunk of foam—no blanks, no templates, no prefab rockers, no stringers, no modern measuring devices. Each shaper will spin the Wheel Of Chance to determine what they will be shaping: for example a LIS Fish, Brewer slipper nose gun, asymmetrical, MR Twin Fin, and more. Laminating Exhibition A demonstration of epoxy glassing techniques using hand lamination and vacuum bagging. Expert surfboard craftsman Greg Loehr and others talk the public through the process, highlight key moments and offer insight into the glassing world. Live Music Check out The Supervillains live at our main stage at The Boardroom. This four-piece reggae/ska band is an Orlando favorite and the band will be coming off a nationwide tour in support of their new album Volume 8. Plus Lady and the Tramps Eastern Surf Magazine Slideshow The editorial staff of Eastern Surf Magazine delves into their photo files for the all-time greatest East Coast photos along with a selection of shots from recent editorial trips through The Caribbean and Central America. “Faces & Foam Dust” Gallery By ESM ESM Co-Founder **** “Mez” Meseroll and Tom Dugan have been traveling up and down the East Coast this summer, visiting more than 100 shapers. This gallery highlights their favorite photos from that trip and the best stories from the road. Plus Autograph signings - RASTA will be signing, collectable / memorabilia surfboard "Roadshow" style appraisals, movie premieres, and more.
Hey, Concept awesome, promotion of North American shapers, yaya. Ya should have a mail in category, just so us way out of state guys could maybe impress ya. Ya we got downtime also. Just a thought! It could open up some really wild stuff. Rules n time should be right with video. Etc. etc. ect.
Just think a wall of some really crazy art. To me it's a no brainer. Not to be pitted against guys shaping on site but a diff. Category.
dudeclimbing you are on to something here... I like the out of the box thought... mail in category! North American Shaper Scramble ? Here's the schedule ... it may change a bit here or there, but I doubt it. Saturday, September 7 The Boardroom is the world's foremost gathering for surfboard design and innovation. 10 a.m. •The Boardroom Opens to the public •Live Shaping: CT Taylor in the Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price •Live Shaping: Ricky Carroll in the Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubble Gum Wax •Movie: Slow Dance, a Dane Reynolds film featuring Craig Anderson •Appraisals: ‘Road Show’ Style surfboard collectibles with expert analysis and appraisal 11 a.m. •Live Glassing Demo: Greg Loehr and Sam Barker demonstrate laminating techniques •ESM Slide Show 12 p.m. •Live Shaping: Taz Yassin in the Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price 1 p.m. •Live Glassing Demo: Greg Loehr and Sam Barker demonstrate laminating techniques •Movie: Come Hell Or High Water, Keith Malloy's debut movie on the joys of bodysurfing. 2 p.m. •Live Shaping: Pat Rawson in the Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price •Live Shaping: Stuart Sharpe in the Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubble Gum Wax •Live Music: Lady and the Tramps •Autograph Signings: Dave Rastovich 3 p.m. •Live Glassing Demo: Greg Loehr and Sam Barker demonstrate laminating techniques 4 p.m. •Live Music: The Supervillains •Live Shaping: Craig Cronin in the Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price 5 p.m. •Live Glassing Demo: Greg Loehr and Sam Barker demonstrate laminating techniques Sunday, September 8 10 a.m. •The Boardroom Opens to the public •Live Shaping: Stu Kenson in the Icons of Foam Shape-off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price •Live Shaping: Juan Rodriguez in the Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubble Gum Wax •Movie: Slow Dance, a Dane Reynolds film featuring Craig Anderson 11 a.m. •Live Glassing Demo: Greg Loehr and Sam Barker demonstrate laminating techniques •ESM Slide Show 12 p.m. •Movie: Tropically Yours, New surf film from Transworld SURF •Live Shaping: Bruce Ragan in the Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by U.S. Blanks honoring Rich Price 1 p.m. •Autograph Signings •Live Glassing Demo: Greg Loehr and Sam Barker demonstrate laminating techniques 2 p.m. •Judging: Pete Dooley and Greg Loehr determine winner of the Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubble Gum Wax 3 p.m. •Judging: Rich Price, Pete Dooley, Ricky Carroll determine the winner of the Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price 3:30 p.m. •Awards: Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubble Gum Wax & Icons of Foam Shape Off presented by US Blanks honoring Rich Price 4 p.m. The Boardroom closes for the year This open-to-the-public event will be located on the Surf Expo South Hall Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center. Admission is $10. Kids twelve and under and Surf Expo exhibitors and buyers can attend for free. Come connect with passionate surfers, shapers, and more than 40 exhibitors and don’t miss our series of special on-floor events. www.boardroomshow.com
