Kyle Evans Surfboards!?

[KyleEvans]

Hey guys... I was wondering if it's ever a good idea to start a business in shaping boards. How do you think I would get on? I would offer a good service e.g. ask about preferences like weight and all that.. how they surf.. where they surf etc.. give me your ideas! please! Thanks.

Update: (14/11/12) Any logo ideas? Name ideas? or should I just stick with Kyle Evans Surfboards? What would you buy?.. All of your opinions will be taken into account!

[danny1]

I reckon you are gonna do well mate. This time next year rodders!

[KyleEvans]

out of interest, what makes you say that, I'm happy to receive bad opinions too

[Philshoz]

http://www.viralsurf.fr/

I think you need these jokers.

also seabase in UK.

you could have a good client base at the Mouth. Checkout my homemade effort circa 1981, shaped and glassed in Abersoch....

I beleive Jono doesn't shape anymore so the world/ Abersoch is your oyster.

[gavtheoldskater]

just shape something fat n wide, call it a mini sims, slap a pretty label on and all, and some sucker will buy it for silly money. years of solid shaping experience not really required.

[KyleEvans]

http://www.viralsurf.fr/

I think you need these jokers.

also seabase in UK.

you could have a good client base at the Mouth. Checkout my homemade effort circa 1981, shaped and glassed in Abersoch....

I beleive Jono doesn't shape anymore so the world/ Abersoch is your oyster.

Nope, it wasn't them. They had an actual french name? And I'm just wondering if people actually tend to buy custom boards nowadays rather than 'off the shelf' I know I would if there was a decent one around, then again I'm sure some canadian guy shapes around here? he calls his boards 'love stix', pretty good boards too!

[danny1]

out of interest, what makes you say that, I'm happy to receive bad opinions too

I just get the feeling that yu got the magic

[KyleEvans]

out of interest, what makes you say that, I'm happy to receive bad opinions too

I just get the feeling that yu got the magic

Haha awesome, maybe you can be my first customer..

[Steviesee]

I take it you could courier a board up to Scotland? Definitely interested.

[smelly skater]

Can you sponsor me ?

[Philchapman]

Pay no attention to all these piss takers.... if you are motivated to learn, and driven to achieve your goals, you can do it! Just make sure you do well in your school exams, and have a back up plan.... just in case things don't work out. How many boards have you shaped so far?

[Philshoz]

Pay no attention to all these piss takers.... if you are motivated to learn, and driven to achieve your goals, you can do it! Just make sure you do well in your school exams, and have a back up plan.... just in case things don't work out. How many boards have you shaped so far?

[Philchapman]

Not sure what he's laughing at?! Ignore all the piss takers, myself included. Seriously, if you want to go for a career in shaping then do it! You'll need a cool name and logo though. If you can link it to something iconic in surf history then even better (Eg; "Hollister"). When you make a name for yourself then you can move into T-shirts. That's where the real money is. I'd love to be a top shaper myself, but the truth is I don't have a clue about how to become one. Keep us posted on your progress.

[smelly skater]

Yes please keep us posted !!

[henryg]

If you are for real go and see Mark at Upnorth Surfboards in Sarn Meyllteyrn and ask him for some advice. Maybe he'd let you do some work experience for him.

[KyleEvans]

If you are for real go and see Mark at Upnorth Surfboards in Sarn Meyllteyrn and ask him for some advice. Maybe he'd let you do some work experience for him.

Yeah I've tried to get in touch with him, but have had no reply, but I will keep trying him though!
...as for experience in shaping boards I will need to gain experience to start my own business, I'm looking at another few years until I can start my own brand!

[Philshoz]

...as for experience in shaping boards I will need to gain experience to start my own business, I'm looking at another few years until I can start my own brand!

Oh the innocence of youth..................talking of which, posting at 12.19 when you have school in the morning, tut tut.....

[KyleEvans]

...as for experience in shaping boards I will need to gain experience to start my own business, I'm looking at another few years until I can start my own brand!

Oh the innocence of youth..................talking of which, posting at 12.19 when you have school in the morning, tut tut.....

School!? I'm 18?

[smelly skater]

How many boards you shaped kyle ?

[Archy_is_God]

If you are keen, go for some work experience with one of the guys who has been round round the block a bit; Semmens, John Purton, Diplock etc will provide an overview of the 'industry' as well as the craft of shaping. This would provide you an understanding of how/if you can make a full-on career out of shaping.

The other side to consider is whether you are happy doing it alongside another trade/career as a craft for the love of it, so you have something to fall back on and/or can develop it into something of your own without being affected so much by having to make a living out of it.....

[Chris F]

If you can link it to something iconic in surf history then even better (Eg; "Hollister").

How about call the company "Holster" and use the same writing for your logo? Illiterate wannabees will snap the boards up, regardless of how shite they are.

Archy's advice is sound, you can learn the craft is to work for an experienced shaper but expect to have to do a lot of dog work for very little money for a long time, or start making boards for yourself part time and expect to produce a few terrible boards before you get good at it and even if you get very good at it you might not earn a lot of money. A lot of shapers fall by the wayside for various reasons, and only the cream make a living out of it, and I doubt any of them are what you would call wealthy.

[Archy_is_God]

A lot of shapers fall by the wayside for various reasons, and only the cream make a living out of it, and I doubt any of them are what you would call wealthy.

To use the parlance of our times; 'True dat'

Kyle - what margin do you think most shapers get on customs?

[defever]

Just a little inspiration for you, Kyle:
http://vimeo.com/48631493

He's my hero. Enjoy.

E

[KyleEvans]

A lot of shapers fall by the wayside for various reasons, and only the cream make a living out of it, and I doubt any of them are what you would call wealthy.

To use the parlance of our times; 'True dat'

Kyle - what margin do you think most shapers get on customs?

not much to be honest but, this would not be my only life earnings, I would only do it for the love of it and knowing that people (many or few) are riding my boards and enjoying themselves on them!

[Archy_is_God]

Good to hear that, get stuck in son!

[Philchapman]

Nice attitude! "Kyle Evans Surfboards". I think that rolls nicely off the tongue. Kinda sounds like one of those Californian hipster shapers.

[Chris F]

That's the attitude.

Hope you can see this - a logo for you, for free.

[KyleEvans]

I was thinking of maybe using an anchor as my logo?

[Black]

I was thinking of maybe using an anchor as my logo?

Thats way, weigh, whey too obvious.

[Philchapman]

http://www.captainfin.com/