Giving the Shape of Things Their Due A Gathering of
the Clan Exhibits Surfing's Finest Shapers and Brings Together the Culture And the Industry,
Melding Many Parts of Surfers DNA

If you are wondering which of the more than 20 astonishing boards built for the 2009 Art of Shaping Exhibit went for the highest price, you are going to have to wait for a minute. Just because this was one of the most soulful tribal experiences of the whole sordid recession season is no reason to rush things. If you are looking for a list of the big stars andheavy legends that showed up, or the amazing bidding wars as the evening went on' you'll have to wait a bit as well. There are more important pieces to this story.

The fact that San Diego can arguably be considered the most prolific and influential shaping community on the planet (as well as the most under-recognized) brought a lot of gravitas to the 2nd Annual Billabong Art of Shaping event. While the purported purpose was to raise money for charity, the honor of being selected to craft a dream board for auction was what impelled the participant to create works of stunning effect.

That the entire board shaping community turned out to support their fellow artists who were being honored for their mind-blowing submissions was a statement in itself. (Rare appearances by Shaun Stussy, Carl Ekstrom, John Van Hamersveld and Greg Noll would be enough right there. And that's not even the tip of the nose block.) And just because more than $46,000 dollars was raised for charity in this depressed economy is no particular reason to celebrate (If you had seen the boards on offer, you'd have spent your last dime too.)

Having Bill Bahne, Hank Warner, Robin Prodanovich, Bob Mitsven, Rusty Preisendorfer, Jimmy Phillips, Tony Channin, Nick Mirandon, Eli Mirandon, Gary McNabb, John Kies, Rick Harmon, Marcio Zouvi, Xanadu, Robin Prodanovich, Steve Pendarvis, Richard Kenvin, Rich Pavel, Steve Seebold, Gary Hanel, Tim Bessell, Larry Mabile, Chris Christensen,Gary Linden, Sam Cody and at one point 300 people, party for the surfboard shaping community of San Diego, was certainly a not-to-be-forgotten moment.That was Billabong's intent when it took on this project.

But there was something underlying this whole feel-good, soul-brother, money for charity aspect; something about the fundamental connection that surfboards, shapers and surfers have always had, something that is at the very core of our industry and our culture. If you are wondering what that was, well we can get right to it now. Three things were produced at this event, long overdue, for the men who are at the core of what surfing is about: Recognition, respect and reward.

Every person who attended the event could not help but recognize the contribution these gentlemen have made to the surf experience. And you couldn't even glance at the boards without feeling respect at what can only be describe as artistry. But in these uncertain times the great thing is that the first two (recognition and respect) drove the other. Being reminded that these shapers are essential figures actually spurred reward in the form of economic activity!

Consider: Three San Diego Retailers; Surf Ride, Hansen's and Hanger 94, stepped up and awarded dealerships to 3 separate shapers for their efforts and accomplishments. Dustin Bernard and the staff at Surf Ride awarded Jimmy Phillips an order for 8 new surfboards and became an authorized dealer for Jim's boards. When the boards are complete they plan on showcasing the boards in the store and by doing a front window display based around Jim's "Rising Sun" winning entry and the custom boards he creates for their shop. Josh Hansen awarded Bob Mitsven an order for 8 boards based on his runner up entry of his chambered cedar fish. Bob won a full page ad in SURFING magazine and had the Billabong Art Department put together an ad showcasing his winning entry and "Mitsven surfboards now available at Hansen's"; a win/win for both!

Milo and Julie Myers of Hanger 94 awarded Hank Warner the "Shapers choice" award and placed an order for 8 new Hank Warner surfboards for their store, giving Hank a dealership in the heart of, San Diego. Royce Cansler who oversaw the whole Art of Shaping project and handled the master of ceremonies duty with superb aplomb, said his most rewarding moment was getting thanked by
Hank Warner's wife for helping put their kids through private school with the order.

Now THAT'S recognition you can take to the bank.

Rediscovering how the art of shaping and the importance of surfboards to our surf industry is an unplanned and pleasant consequence of the event. But in no way does that downplay the real sense of tribal affinity that was so apparent in the room that night. World Champions, Industry Presidents, top ASP pros, global CEO's, high rolling sales reps, media moguls and world renown shaping legends packed into a room as if this was the auction for Bill Gates art collection - which for a surfer it kinda was. Seeing Jimmy Phillips' board "Rising Sun" bring in the highest donation for charity when Rusty Preisendorfer of Rusty surfboards outbid all bidders to take home the prize, was a highlight. The final bid of $8000 brought the entire audience to a standing ovation. Every shaper's introduction was met with thunderous applause and every surfboard was greeted with hoots, whistles and applause.

Seeing the huge contingency of San Diego shapers, laminators, sanders, glossers, hot coat and fin guys, polishers, fin makers and factory owners celebrating the event and the accomplishments of their tribe was a reminder of how deep the roots of our surf tree grow.

The event itself was a communal effort from some of surfing's most notable underground figures. Royce Cansler, Billabong's Retail Relations Director was the event director and driving force behind the whole effort. His comprehensive understanding of the shapers and their work was apparent in every word he spoke on the podium that night as well as his orchestration of the whole project. Bird Huffman, surfer, shop owner and one of San Diego's unsung heroes paved the way and opened the doors that only a maestro of the local hood could have pulled off. Cher Pendarvis took her artistic talent and years of familiarity with both the shapers and surfboards to photograph them in a rich local context. Jim Kempton, Billabong's Media Director leveraged his years as Editor of Surfer and admiration for the subjects, to write and edit the 26 biographies of these fabled foam-mowers. Richard Pata constructed the website that portrays the whole set of boards and bios. Even the auctioneers brought a core understanding to the table - surfers themselves, they were so enamored with these shaping legends they donated their time just to see the work being displayed. As for the shapers themselves, it was the gathering of San Diego's shaping pantheon - the best and most influential of all time.

To describe the quality of the surfboards or the peerage of the shapers would take a whole subsequent story - and you can find all of that on the Art of Shaping website at http://www.billabong.com/artofshaping/