Album Surfboards

Q+A WITH ALBUM SURFBOARDS SHAPER MATT PARKER

When did you start shaping?
2000-2001

Approximately how many surfboards have you shaped?
A few thousand

Where is your business located?
San Clemente & Oceanside, CA

Other than online, where would a surfer find your boards?
We have a showroom in Newport Beach called Threads & Fins. It's located at 1010 w. 17th St. Newport Beach.

What shapers influenced you early in your career?
Terry Martin, John Carper, Cole Simler

What are the main influences in your designs today?
Making the most out of average waves. Fun, speed, magic. Finding the right combo of outline, rocker, rails and foam to get you the most out of your session. How would you describe your shaping philosophy?
What board is going to let you have the most fun? We're all about realistically assessing where you surf and specifically what are YOU trying to do on the wave. Then we make the right board with the right dimensions that will allow you to reach your potential and surf the way you want to surf.

What do you get out of shaping that you couldn't get from any other kind of work?
It's rewarding to know we've made things that are bringing people joy & stoke everyday.

What do you enjoy most about surfboard shaping?
Taking something I dreamed up in my brain and then seeing it translate into a functional form. Getting to be a test pilot and experiment with my own shapes out in the water.



What personal characteristics do you feel are necessary to be a successful shaper?
Design skill and a good eye to see what will work combined with the coordination to make it happen. I also feel really strongly about not being a flake. I started shaping more than ten years ago because I got sick of getting the run around and waiting for custom boards to get finished that would take months. I take pride in replying to emails, calls and texts right away. I send customers photos of their boards in production and I deliver when I say I'm going to, without making shortcuts. I think it also helps that I surf -- a lot.

How do you bridge the gap between the business and artistic/design side of shaping?
Gotta be responsible, accessible and have integrity. Doing all the fun of creating is not possible without taking care of business!

Tell us about the most rewarding surfboard design you have been involved with in your career.
Our Sub model is guaranteed fun. Works for everyone, makes crap days awesome days. Always puts a smile on someone's face.

Where do you see the future of surfboard design headed?
Anything goes. we're not limited by convention. You can ride whatever you want, try different things. The future is now!

What makes your boards different from others on the market?
All custom, one of a kind art & color work married with ultra-functional shapes.

Any words of advice for surfers looking to find a great board?
Watch yourself on video. Don't just think about your height & weight and where you surf. What are trying to do on the wave? Are you most concerned with pulling in and getting barreled? Are you simply trying to find the right line on the wave and maximize speed? Are you having trouble getting as many waves as you'd like? What about your current equipment is limiting you? Ask some thoughtful, realistic questions! Focus on fun.