Spotlight on Surfboard Shaper Tim Griffin

Tim Griffin of Griffin Surfboards and Wayne Lynch Surfboards is an enigma in an industry of characters. Often quiet and reserved, sometimes VERY outspoken. One thing is for certain, he is passionate about shaping and what he and others see as a tangent away from the roots of our sport. He also builds exceptional boards...something the folks here at Surfboardbuilders and lots of surfers in the waters off of San Diego and Orange County can attest to.





Tell us a little about how you started in shaping? I started shaping 15 years ago. Initially I was just curious about the process and interested in the surfboards themselves. I did my first few boards without ever having seen a board shaped, just sort of worked my way through it. They turned out pretty rough but actually went ok.

After realizing I really liked shaping and riding my own boards I started checking out other shapers to trying to get a better idea. Eventually I got a job roughing boards for Peter Benjamin in San Diego. That got me a lot of reps with the planer and really helped improve my shaping. In the following years I've worked for Xanadu, Boysen, Cole, Wayne Lynch, and my own brand, Griffin Surfboards.

Who has been your biggest influence? I've been influenced by all the people I've shaped for and have also been inspired by lots of different surfboards. It's really cool to check out the different stuff that's out there.

What are your thoughts on the building of custom boards in today's world?
For the most part, there is only a small part of the surfing community that values hand shaped surfboards. The media marketing machine has devalued the hand shape by promoting the computer. If a label is producing large numbers of surfboards then hand shaping is not realistic. It's too much work and there simply aren't enough shapers that can do it. Therefore, they're going to promote the computer and downplay hand shaping.



I still think the best way to get the perfect board for yourself is to order from a craftsman and have a board custom built to your specs/desires. Unfortunately, shapers aren't paid more for hand shapes so there really isn't any incentive to do it. Hand shaping also requires more time in the shaping room, when time spent marketing is more important to actually sell boards. It will be interesting to see if at some point, as the number of capable shapers decreases, the value of a hand shaped custom board will increase. Time will tell.

Tell us about the trends you are seeing in custom board building? Mostly a lot of guys claiming to hand shape when they're really using the computer. Or worse, designing boards on a computer screen and claiming that's the best thing since sliced bread. I still say a master craftsman uses numbers as guidelines but in the end trusts their hands and eyes to create a clean, balanced board. Something a computer will never be able to do.

Tell us about your favorite surf spots? I mostly surf out of the way beach breaks to try and get away from crowds. It's not the best for business but I prefer to surf alone or with a few friends. I've been to Tavarua and it's tough to beat those waves.

Where do you see the art of custom surfboard building going?
In the toilet...

Tell us about your favorite board to shape and to ride? I like to shape and ride pretty much everything. I guess it depends on the surf and what I'm feeling.

Where do you see design going from here? My guess is the big labels will continue to claim computers are the future. They're probably anxiously waiting for the computer that'll completely finish boards so they don't need to shape at all!



I could see the day when shapers are mostly phased out and design is left to the Kelly Slaters of the world. People will sell that you can get a board that was designed by a top pro.

Meanwhile there will always be guys hand shaping boards because they love it. It's not for the money, believe me. And there will always be surfers who want to participate in the process and get custom boards.

More on Tim here http://www.surfboardbuilders.com/shaper_tim_griffin.aspx