2011 SURFBOARD BUYER’S GUIDE Surf Surfer Magazine Channel Islands Kelly Slater

2011 SURFBOARD BUYERS GUIDE Surf Surfer Magazine Channel Islands Kelly Slater Channel Islands Surfboards Founder: Al Merrick Year Started shaping: 1969 CAN YOU REMEMBER THE FIRST BOARD YOU SHAPED? I'd done some design work with John Price when I was riding for the Surfboards Hawaii surf team; we worked on a noseider together. But the first board I shaped I think was a 7'6". I called it The Shoe. It had this hyper kick in the nose, like an elf shoe or something. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SHAPING AS A CAREER? I just really wanted to make my own boards and ride them. I was a craftsman, and felt I was good with my hands, so it felt natural. THE SEMI-PRO HOW DO YOU REMAIN AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF SURFBOARD DESIGN? That's all driven by the surfers themselves and our surf team. I'm just trying to accommodate the level of surfing as it progressed over the years. Basically, I had to put my own ideas aside and focus on what I think will work for them. The team is what has driven everything. ANDRUS WHO WAS INFLUENTIAL IN YOUR EARLY CAREER AND WHY? Dick Brewer was my inspiration. He was so innovative with his mini-guns, and his use of different equipment, planers, etc. WHAT'S IT LIKE TO HAVE KELLY SLATER ON YOUR TEAM? Kelly and I have established a friend-ship, and to me that's what's important. Obviously his being on the team has been essential in the growth of Channel Islands Surfboards as a brand, but it's my personal relationship that's been ANDRUS SURFBO! the most rewardin