Guide on how to shape a board

I have had couple of friends trying to shape surfboards...it was almost having two boards for the price of one because the left side didn't look the same as the right side!

When I was 20, I was an intern at a french local kitesurf shaper, I was so stocked to work fo him and learn about the process.

Here are some info from Surfline shaping post

Board painting

Like any teenagers, I went from putting stickers on my board to painting in order to express my creativity. ONe thing is sure I would not have been a great artist.

So here on surfline I read a tip from Brad Nadell, founder of Foam E-Z who gives a quick tip:

"The type of paint you want to use is water based Tempera -- this paint can be air-sprayed or air-brushed right onto the foam.

Many people hand-paint boards using sponge brushes, wisk brooms, paint brushes, sponges, and just about anything that will apply paint.

Don't put it on too thick, though. The appropriate thickness is about the consistency of whole milk. Have fun and and let the paint fly."

Surfing big waves: when leash becomes a liability

Surfline's Nick Carroll replies:

Being leashed in truly big surf can cause a surfer some trauma. Suddenly, the leash's great benefit -- connection to your board -- can mean you're forced to go where your board goes, whether you like it or not. There's nothing quite like an extra 20 or 30 yards of underwater draggage behind your nine-foot gun in what feels like the world's biggest washing machine; it's a bit like those cowboy movies, where they tie the good guy to a horse and drag him around the main street. This effect is enhanced by the heavyweight nature of most big-wave paddle-in boards.

WK believes a leash can only be regarded as a liability when it cannot be removed in a dangerous circumstance. In the past 20 years several surfers have drowned after being held underwater by a combination of a leash wrapped around a rock and a strong current dragging both board and surfer against the leash's pressure. In each case, the current prevented the surfer from being able to reach his leash strap to release it -- interestingly, in no case was the surf particularly big. (The ocean's way stronger than you think, even when the waves don't look murderous.)

Fact is, a leash is only a leash -- it is capable of breaking, and occasionally will under the impact of a seriously big wave. This is not always a bad thing, given the situations outlined above. (Sometimes being freed to swim clear is a true blessing!)

But this fact demands you keep one thing in mind: The leash is not and never was intended as a lifesaving device. It's a convenient way of keeping your board close and ding-free after wipeouts, and serves the added valuable purpose of eliminating the loose-boards-in-the-lineup syndrome -- which can be a profound danger in itself. But! If you're relying on your leash to defend you against weak swimming skills in big surf, there's an easy answer: DON'T GO OUT. It will only end in tears.

5 ways to improve your surfing...

welll first you need waves, or like me you need to travel a lot:)

1-Small step, one at a time
The common mistake is that guys try to hard for the trick they see in videos. Instead of trying big air, try to release fins first and then small pop,etc... find challenges you can succeed at: your confidence will be hipped up.

2-Don't surf for 10 hours
that's what I sued to do in Barbedos and actually my overall surfing got a hit for the rest of the trip. It's a trip so try to have fun, hang out with friends, go fishing.

3-be a movie star
That's the hard part is to find someone who can film..your girlfriend maybe? be sure to take her to diner that night because she must have been really bored trying to find you in the seal looking crowd.

4- You are not Hercule but almost
That's right try to always go in the water with a challenge, a trick in mind

5-What is Fun
is not the result and the way how you got there. This is not a quote from Buddha but if he was a surfer, I am sure he would have said this kind of stuffs. Enjoy your progress and don't be frustrated.

bonus: 6- remember rules of priorities and be friendly to others...watch your attitude