Local Craftsmen: Surfboard Shapers of St. Augustine

By OCL Staff

By some, the surfboard is viewed as just another piece of sporting equipment; but for many, it’s a very personal and iconic symbol. Before the influx of overseas mass production, surfboards were as original as the personalities who rode them. Unlike today’s barcoded pieces crowding the shelves of huge sporting goods stores, surfboards were inherently unique, as they were handcrafted by actual surfers who also used them. A good shaper inherently understands the small design adjustments that can hopefully give them that “magic” board they seek.

Fortunately, even with today’s cookie-cutter trends, there are still innovative shapers out there; in fact, our town is home to many local shapers still designing boards with an electric planer, hand-tools, and the desire to experiment with materials considered “outside the box.” You can easily find professionals with varying styles and personalities whose work has been embraced far beyond local boundaries.

Whether you’re looking for progressive performance or classic retro-style: use your dollars to support one of our expert local shapers (no barcode necessary).

DREW BAGGETT –OLD CITY CUSTOM EPOXIES

INSPIRED / …LOST SURFBOARDS

Specializing in high-end epoxy composite construction. Carbon fiber, cork, wood veneer, and other exotic surfboard manufacturing. Filling customs orders for …Lost surfboards. Small-batch, high-quality surfboards.

@INSPIREDSHAPER

KEN WHITE

WHITE SURFBOARDS / “GHOST SHAPER” FOR OTHER MAJOR BRANDS

Winner of the 2016 Surf Expo “Shape Off”

Everything from performance shortboards to big wave guns; specializing in classic longboards and retro fishes

@WHITESURFBOARDSLLC

BURGESS AND JOSH AUTREY

WARRIOR / AUTREY SURFBOARDS

The Autrey family has been making boards since 1980 when Rob started Autrey Surfboards. All boards are handshaped with the same Skil100 planer that Jeff Sturtevant used to shape all the boards in the 80s and early 90s. All boards are built start-to-finish to the specific demand of each individual surfer. Autrey boards are available for purchase and custom order at The Surf Station.