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In Zen philosophy perfection is achieved through simplicity and
repetition. CNC shaping, with the use of software and machine,
utilizes simplicity and repetition to achieve that goal in surfboard
design.
The use of computer shaping technology is increasing - not only
in production shaping, where it is replacing the ghost shaper, but in
the design and shaping of custom surfboards as well. The technology
of CNC shaping facilitates many things including accuracy,
repetition, and evolution in surfboard design and shaping. Today's
computer shapes require significant skills including relevant input
to design and create a surfboard, the ability to visualize and
translate a design with a keyboard and monitor into a digital file,
and significant skill to fine tune the computer pre shape into the
final shape. All are part of a master shaper's skill set. Magic and
soul are products of these skills.
Magic and soul in surfboards are mysterious and elusive
qualities, but you know they exist in a surfboard when you experience
the special performance of a magical - soulful surfboard. Machine or
CNC shapes by a master shaper totally involved in every nuance of the
final shape indeed have magic and soul.
Shaping great surfboards requires creativity, imagination,
observation, and skill to translate designs into reality. Master
shapers are part scientist, artist, and craftsman. Hand shaping great
surfboards takes years to master. Combine the experience of decades
of hand shaping with current CNC shaping technology and the results
are awesome.
The best surfboards will always be those designed and shaped to
best suit the requirements of surfers by reputable master shapers
with years of experience regardless of the tools they use. There are
surfers and shapers who consider computer shaping an evil threat to
the shaping trade and surf culture. Nothing could be further from the
truth. The computer allows shapers to begin the design process with
the same master designs over and over again. From this starting point
they can make a variety of adjustments to suit a surfer, or just
experiment with new ideas. This starting point - a base master design
- simply does not exist without surfboard design software, a
database, and a computer shaping machine. Duplicating or even coming
close to duplicating a magic board by hand has always been a very
difficult task - not that a master shaper cannot produce one magic,
soulful board after another.
To rebut the idea that computer shaping software and shaping
machines require less skill or are a threat to surfboard design, the
use of CNC shaping tools allow more time, energy, and thought to go
into designing a surfboard. Hand shaping surfboards with planers,
grinders, and the other tools of the trade is very physically and
mentally demanding. CNC technology allows an abundance of this energy
to be focused on design.
Now, more than at any time in the history of shaping surfboards,
technology offers surfers the benefit of accelerated design
evolution, relevant custom design, and accuracy in the never ending
pursuit of perfection. |
