About

My philosophy is simple, but remarkably rare in today's industry.
My passion is to create hand shaped boards to suit individual surfer's needs. Total control over the design process allows me to focus on the surfer and adapt different designs to suit. By shaping boards by hand it allows me to explore the hundreds of potential combinations that can create that elusive, magic board that every surfer is looking for. Such a philosophy takes time, commitment and hard work which unfortunately, not every shaper is willing to give. The sad truth is that the majority of mainstream shapers now use machines to mass create their boards.

We are now in a world where a majority of shapers are letting machines do the work. However the luxury of minimal effort, maximum output is short lived. These machines and the factories they sit in are expensive; expenses mean overheads; and overheads means having to mass produce boards to pay the bills. Suddenly there isn't a lot of room to move, not a good thing in something as evolutionary and fluid as surfboard shaping. Technology can?t replace the importance of chatting over a cup of tea discussing what you want, and then having an experienced shaper incorporate that into a custom board.

About me: I have been shaping boards since 1989, and have been a surfing since 1980.

Over the years I have shaped boards for Lee Winkler, Mark Mathews, Nathan Webster, Jarrod Howse and other various WCT surfers. Mentored by Simon Anderson in Japan and Australia over 8 years has influenced my shaping and design skills, as well as finding knowledge to create my own new and exciting designs. I have developed my own technique as one of Australia's best handshapers.

Voted Shaper of the Year in the Realsurf Shapers Poll, I have developed a loyal following by surfers whom appreciate my craft. I hope you enjoy my creations.

Happy surfing!
Mike Psillakis (more)