Gary Swanson, Baja 98

Shaper Gary Swanson’ surfboard design basics

I have always believed that the best surfboard is one that is designed based on the fundamentals; outline, rocker line, thickness profile, ‘V’, concave, and rail shape. All these fundamentals need to come together in an uncomplicated way. A good surfboard should have clean lines from every angle of view. The flow should be a fluid transition from nose to tail, rail to rail, bottom to deck. In the shaping room I try very hard to adhere to these classic fundamentals and avoid fads and gimmicks. I respect tradition in surfboard design, it is part of my shaping style. It does not work for every board shaper but it’s worked well for me both as a surfer and a shaper. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced a lot of good surf over the last 40 years and to have been part of an industry that has witnessed surfing’s great eras; the longboard - shortboard transition, the single fin 70’s, the thruster revolution of 1980, the performance long board movement in the 90’s. Each era has brought new perspectives to surfing and a new blend of the classic fundamentals to surfboard design. I am committed to keeping Hammersurf board designs state of the art while rooted in the tradition that has kept surfing and surfboard development so unique and dynamic through the decades.

Gary - Ventura County -’74

Gary - Baja -‘94