- You started working in the surfboard business packing boards for Christenson. Was it the start or shaping was already on your mind?
For sure, from the very beginning, even before Chris I wanted to shape. I just didn't have access to the means necessary. But once I got into Chris' place It was on, shaping really consumed my life, I lost a lot of sleep thinking about boards. But it's hard to get the opportunities I had, I was really lucky. So I try a help out people who are into it when I can trying to share the stoke.
- Christenson was a big influence in the kind of surfboards you do now?
Yeah, he was a big influence, just from the fact that I learned so much from him. I got into his place right when he started the alternative thing, and all I rode was alternative boards so I fit well in there. I learned a lot from Chris, and it has been a big part of what I create. But when I moved on to do my own thing, my influences began to spread more and more, and still are today.
- You're from San Diego, home of the Fish design and you only shape "alternative" surfboards, but not any Fish? Why? Just not your thing or you just want to go beyond that?I was into Fishes for a little bit, and made some I really liked, But once I was over it, I never looked back, I guess they aren't my thing, but that came from wanting something better. I think being taller 6'3" I was riding bigger fishes, around 5'10", but I believe for traditional fish to work as they are designed or how I want them to work they need to be small like 5'6" and under. That's where the Quagg came from. I learned how to surf on single fin eggs, and then transitioned to fishes, but felt the parallel rails would gag and not be as fluid, So I went back to the egg it was gonna be a single fin but I had been reading about quads and went for it. So I made a 5'10" and the thing was insane. Everyone that rode it wanted one. It wasn't ever shaped that well, but the idea worked so I knew they would only get better.
- Since you did your first Mini-Simmons it became a pretty common design. How did you came up with that and do you think it's just hype or the design really works?
The first Mini Simmons was Casper, It was shaped by Joe Baguess for RK, and they'll tell you that they each came up with it. But I saw that one and did some research on Bob Simmons and decided to make my idea of the Simmons so I made the second one ever. Casper was painted all white so I made mine all Black, which fit well, since I got so much shit for making those boards in the beginning cause those guys were claiming it as theirs. When in reality it is a Simmons Design that has been resurrected. So mine was the Black Sheep of the Simmons which I kind of like. Now that so many people are making and riding them I think its rad. It’s even better to see the variations people are coming up with. I think the design works really well, but they are the type of board you have to commit to, to get what you want out of them. But they are for real, for sure.
- You say about some of the New B model "designed for the ultimate performance while not a shortboard". Do you think you've pushed your designs to the limit?The New B, is a relatively new design for me, in the last year I've been refining it to get it there as far as performance. The deck design and rail design allows you to ride a smaller yet thinner board than your standard alternative board and still maintain all the paddle. Yet the thinness of and progressive rail keeps the performance. I was doing it for a long time, but have now refined it, I always knew it worked but now I understand how and why, and how far I can push it without loosing anything.
-You're not only a great shaper but also a great glasser known for the quality and attention for detail. Do you still glass a lot of boards yourself or you prefer to concentrate on shaping now?Right now I'm concentrating on shaping, but all my boards are glassed under my roof. I have built a small team that share the passion for the details, and are amazingly skilled. But I still enjoy getting in the resin. I'm gonna start a solo series when I will do every step from start to finish. I still do 90% of all the resin color on my boards.
-Shaping or Surfing? What comes first? And what board do you usually ride on your daily sessions?
It use to be surfing, but in the last few years shaping has becoming more of a priority, I still check the waves everyday but pick my days better. I enjoy the big days the most, so Try and get my work done when it’s small so when the waves are pumping I can be on it. But this season was really small so I've been spending more time freediving, and spearfishing.
-What are your expectations about Europe? Do you think the European surfer is much different from the US ones?
I expect Europe to be rad, I think the European Surfers has a better understanding of what they want and what they appreciate. I'm looking forward to getting some boards over there and getting people stoked.
Thanks Jeff!!
