Who is this guy?

Incut Fish Testing at Bossiny

 

My entire premise on making boards revolves around functional simplicity. That sounds almost too simple, but as I experimented with design, the more complex the concepts got, the more wave specific the boards became. So, I took a few steps back and stripped everything down to its basic ingredients in order to move forward in what I was hoping to achieve.

 

My goal has always been to make a boards that did the hard work for me, generating speed, allowing me to work on my turns and actually surfing instead of constantly trying to keep moving. This naturally led me down a slightly unconventional path. However, being a young upstart in the 80s, progression has always been the goal. So, the boards have to perform at a high level, or there is no point making them.

 

I started making boards in earnest in 2004, and have been fortunate to work with as well as become friends with some truly passionate and gifted craftsmen. I can’t thank them all enough for graciously sharing information, offering guidance, and generally keeping me stoked on making boards.

 

My path has so far taken me from the Bahamas to California, Brazil, Europe, and now back to California. There have been many, many people that have inspired me along the way. Far too many to contemplate listing, but each uniquely important. This includes all of the backyard maniacs out there doing their own thing for the pure joy of surfing something they made with their own hands.

 

Custom surfboards are a part of surfing’s heritage and I am thankful everyday that I am able to be a part of that.

 

I’d like to thank a few special people that have gone above and beyond to offer their time, input, guidance, friendship, and hard earned knowledge with me:

 

Rich Pavel

Adrian Phillips and the guys at Fluid Juice

Peter “Chops” Lascelles and Laminations UK

Malcolm Campbell

Nigel Semmens and the guys at Ocean Magic

Mauro Roxo

Jefferson Lopes

Endyroy

Mark Dickinson

Steve Croft

Joe Baugess

Paul Waters

Paulo Jacinto

Randy Wong

Zeph Carrigg

Tony Channin

Chris “Bro” Diplock


 

I am eternally grateful for the help, instruction, and inspiration from all of these people, and would not be here without them.

Best,
Rob Lion