Blane Chambers was the first Pro Shaper Profile that we shot back in February 2013. During that time Blane was going through a lot of changes with his original SUP company, Paddle Surf Hawaii, and was in the midst of starting his own label, BC Designs Haleiwa, now known as BC Hawaii. As you can imagine with any business, a lot has changed for Blane in the past year and a half. We noticed that Blane was buying more Aluzine resin, fiberglass cloth, pigments and even mixing in some traditional surfboard blanks. Come to find out he was building a lot of his boards from start to finish. We decided that it was time to do a follow up visit at his shaping room and get the low down on exactly what he’s been up to. Blane is such a cool guy that he was even willing to participate in our 5 Shaping Tools game. As usual, he added a little twist to it.
FGH: Finally we get to sit down and talk outside of the shop!
BC: I know! It’s only been about a year and a half.
FGH: I’m glad that we get to have you one-on-one so we can catch up on everything that’s been going on since we did our first video profile piece on you. From the last time I was in your shape room until now, it appears that a lot has changed. What’s been going on?
BC: Since the last time you were here I’ve definitely glassed a lot more boards myself.
FGH: How did that come about?
BC: Well, I just did it because I wanted a board to surf quickly. Like if I saw a swell coming I would usually glass then. I wasn’t really glassing my own unless I saw the conditions setting up for a perfect swell direction and certain winds. Then it became, I didn’t have a whole lot of options to get glassing done “right now” for a customer friend or team rider. For me it was learning how to create a product that is acceptable for the retail market.
FGH: What part of glassing did you struggle with most?
BC: Learning how to sand is probably the most frustrating part.
FGH: If you could pass on any knowledge to a budding glasser what would it be?
BC: Always give yourself a good start at every step. So, if you grind your laps really good, then your hotcoat is going to come out really good too. If your hotcoat comes out clean then your sanding is going to be a lot easier.
FGH: Without having learned in a glass shop and without a full time mentor, it must have been an interesting learning process.
BC: Yeah, when I started my theory was, “don’t worry about it, I fix it when I sand the board.”
FGH: Oh, yeah, that’s a common theory that goes out the window pretty quickly!
BC: That is the worst thing you can do! Giving yourself a poor surface to work on just makes more work at each step.
FGH: You could have made it so much easier and just gone on our website and watched our glassing and sanding videos!
BC: I know. But, you guys didn’t have a sanding or epoxy glassing video when I was getting into it! Plus, I only have this one room to work out of so I can’t sand in the traditional sense because I don’t like the dust to go everywhere. I don’t even shape the same because I don’t like the foam dust getting on me. I figured out a way to do everything with minimal dust or dust free with the vacuum.
FGH: What?!?! Blane Chambers the shaper doesn’t like getting dusty? Last time we were in your room you did our video interview covered in dust. Who are you?
BC: I just don’t like dust and I don’t want to breathe it. I can’t ever be the production glasser/board builder. Before this room was a dusty mess covered in all the various layers and types of dust. Foam dust and Fiberglass dust. I mean, I have to shape or sand boards then go do business or go to the bank or meet customers. I don’t want to be covered in dust and all itchy everywhere I go.
FGH: Man, you’ve changed. But really, it sounds like you’re expanding into new areas and working with your original brand Paddle Surf Hawaii.
BC: Yeah, I created Paddle Surf Hawaii and now I’m doing all of the designing for them and I’m in charge of the Hawaii market. I still do BC Hawaii which started off as BC Designs Haleiwa.
FGH: Why did you change the name?
BC: Nobody could spell it correctly except for local people. People just couldn’t spell it correctly on the checks! They just write Blane Chambers anyway.
FGH: Oh man, that’s a funny one!
BC: I’m also shaping some regular prone surfboards. As a matter of fact this gun is for Tom Carroll to use for the Eddie. We’ve been working together for years on the SUP line and he brought me an idea for the front half of the board so we designed this one together.
FGH: Tell me about the bottom design of this big wave board.
BC: It’s a 10’ board that is designed to carry momentum through chops. A lot of times you see big wave guys drop in and hit a chop, the board slows down and they go flying over the handle bars. Hopefully the entry and bottom rail design alleviates this issue. We’re not even sure but we’re trying it out and hopefully we’ll know where to go with this design after he chucks himself over the ledge of some big ones at Waimea.
FGH: That is very cool! Tell us about your other surfboard you’re designing. They look like a smaller version of your SUP design? Why ride a prone surfboard that’s 8’6” when you can ride an SUP surfboard that’s 8’0”?
BC: Because plenty of guys don’t even want to ride an SUP. This has nothing to do with stand up. This is for guys who don’t want to ride a long board. This board paddles like a dream but it’s so loose too.
FGH: It looks like there’s more foam in this 8”6’ than most 9’0” longboards.
BC: There is! The theory is that right now my 9’0” SUP is way looser than a 9’0” longboard. The issue is that you can’t get your arms around the thing if you want to prone paddle it. It’s just too wide.
FGH: Through all of your new endeavors it seems like you’re still able to get what you need from Fiberglass Hawaii in Wahiawa?
BC: Yeah, I still get all of my blanks from Wahiawa. I mean, you guys stock custom SUP rockers for me so it’s so convenient. My glass, resin and pigments. It’s just so easy because I’ll order the foam and have it sent right over to Eric Arakawa’s shop and he just cuts it right there for me.
FGH: We noticed that you started buying more pigments and doing a lot of your own color work too.
BC: Yeah, I just started experimenting and doing my own foam stains and seals. That way it seals it, looks good and you can just laminate right over it using clear resin.
FGH: It was pretty cool to see your instagram posts where you were experimenting with different colors and styles of foam seals.
BC: It’s pretty cool learning to do colors. Ed Searfoss was one of the first to do these color jobs for me. It was really fun to learn to do it on my own and figure out how to get the design that I wanted. The more you do the better you get.
FGH: Well it’s been fun being able to work with you, supplying your needs and watch your business grow. Do you have time to play a game?
Hey Blane Chambers, what five shaping tools would you grab if the world was ending?
FGH: Okay, so here’s the scenario. The world is ending, you still have to make surfboards. What five tools do you choose to take with you?
BC: Is this just for shaping or for glassing too?
FGH: It’s just for shaping. This isn’t a realistic scenario so fortunately you still have a glasser.
BC: I would grab my saw, tape measure…
FGH: A tape measure? I think you’re going to end up getting rid of that one but let’s work through your five tools.
BC: Only reason I would choose that is because I have all of these dimensions that I know will work. Wait, am I making surfboards for myself or do I still have customers?
FGH: I think you’re still in business dude. You still have customers that need boards.
BC: Okay, then I for sure need the tape measure. I’ll take the surform and my Fiberglass Hawaii blue foam shaping pad. Hmmmmm…man…ahhhhhh…I’ll probably take my David Plane.
FGH: So now the question is, how does your shaping process go with these tools?
BC: Is a pencil a tool?
FGH: A pencil is a tool and you don’t have one!
BC: Then I’ll have to use a stick or my fingernail! I would basically find my shaping medium, a tree or some EPS foam from under the docks. I would trace my outline with a stick…now see, if the world is ending I guess I don’t need a tape measure if people are telling me, “I need a good tree to ride.”
FGH: Hahahaha, I told you!
BC: If you’re talking about just sliding on waves then yeah, I can do without the tape measure. I would just get rid of it then.
FGH: Wow, this is a first. You’re only going with 4 tools?
BC: Is there any power?
FGH: I’m not going to let you have power. I’m in charge here!
BC: Oh man, this is tough. I guess I would have to use my saw to cut the outline. My surform to do the majority of the shaping. My blue foam shaping pad to finish the deck bottom and the rails. My David plane to finish out the stringer.
FGH: That’s all you need, four tools and you have your board.
BC: To be honest, if it was the end of the world I would just grab my swim fins and I wouldn’t take anything else. That’s the truth. Just my swim fins and forget all the rest.
FGH: That’s another first! You’re full of surprises Blane!
BC: I just love riding waves no matter what craft I’m using.
FGH: We love it too. Thanks for playing the game and throwing a few curve balls at us.
Find the tools Blane uses online and check out Blane’s Shaper Profile below!
Composite Corner 