DAVE HOWELL | MISFIT SURFBOARD SHAPER [25.10.2009]Industry

MISFIT SHAPES

Head Shaper:   Dave Howell
Location:  236 Harbord rd, Brookvale, NSW, 2100
Years in the Biz:   9

For those that live on the northern beaches of Sydney you know you're blessed to be surrounded by some of Australia's best shapers and beaches. One of these hot young shapers is Dave Howell of Misfit shapes. Dave loves life, loves surfing and above all loves shaping. A young inspired and motivated individual, Dave spends countless hours refining his crafts looking into new designs, new shaping techniques and ways of refining the crafts we ride.

Dave puts his efforts into working on the new gen of surfing, refining boards that are setting the benchmark for future generations of surfing. Trialing new channeling systems, rail designs and different plane shapes, Dave is still searching for that perfect board, and it's this search that has Dave popping out some amazing crafts.

So come inside the shaping bay of Misfit and see what it's all about, what the name represents and why you might want to scope out a Misfit board next time you're in the market...



Can you tell us a little about you, surfing & how you got into shaping?
Born at Mona vale hospital and bred at south narra beachies. After a couple of beers with Col Ladhams one night he wanted to know if I would be keen to learn how to shape and help him with the overflow of work he had. A couple days later I was at his shaping bay watching and learning, and as they say ‘the rest is history’.

Take us through the name ‘misfit’ and what that represents
One thing different that you may see on my boards than others is the fish on top of my name and “All Glory To God” written on my stringers of all my boards. Basically found out that happiness wasn’t found at the bottom of a Jack Daniels bottle, experimenting with drugs or crazy relationships, hit rock bottom pretty hard and had to make a life changing and life saving decision. I chose Jesus and now instead of being misfit for this world I am now a misfit for God. That is my personal reason and hope for other people to find themselves! Also everyone wants to be unique, different and not be a sheep or robot, so misfit can mean anything to anyone.



You have a very large range of boards, what’s the reasoning behind that?
My mind goes crazy with surfboard design, and some nights I can’t sleep because I have rocker measurements, concave depths, volumes, foils etc running through my head. So, when I start putting these elements together, another model is born. There are also so many different waves out there that I like giving surfers options. I design and shape specialized boards for specific waves.

I noticed you don’t do any retro, longboards or any of the ‘alternative’ styled boards. Why is that? Are your boards aimed at a particular style of surfer?
We totally respect what other people ride and shape, but our passion is to design boards for the progressively minded surfer. We aim our line at surfers that are looking for boards that elevate their surfing and enable them to surf at their peak. We try to work with a lot of advanced surfers to ensure every detail is tested and precise. All the feedback we get is collated and filters through to development of new models or to improve older ones. We just try to make the most up to date, progressive boards we possibly can.

Are there any particular shapes, materials or ideas you’re playing with at the moment that you can tell us about?
At the moment we really love Kellys outlook on board designs. Small, refined boards that enable you to position yourself on any part of a wave and allow almost any maneuvers. For the past few years especially, I have been shrinking board sizes and adding foam in other areas of the board. Most noticeable in something like our SK8EY model, which is a small skateboard inspired fish. But I am now designing small boards with dimensions almost the same as your standard shortboard. Our new model the FLAIR really reflects these ideas, and it has been getting amazing reviews. I am personally frothing on this model myself.



Do you have a ‘misfit’ team rider program? Who’s on that?
We are really starting to put a focus on this at present. Over the last few years we have been able to work with some really talented surfers, and we’re focusing on building a strong junior team for 2010. Young Jordi Watson, who is currently NSW junior champion is our only signed junior team rider as such, but we are working with a bunch more, and keen as to work with plenty more at that. We just like to work with guys that can articulate what exactly they like and do not like about board design. It makes us better board builders and them better surfers…

What sets misfit apart from other brands?
I believe it is our vision, work ethic, innovative design, service measures, strategy and our heart. We have a strong social conscience and we want to use the gifts God has given us to ultimately change peoples lives for the better. We want to work with the best athletes in the world and see them reach their potential. We want to positively influence the industry and marketplace and bring about a level of professionalism that surfboard manufacturers have traditionally lacked. We just want to be MISFITS from what the rest of the pack are doing I guess…

Hand vs machine shaping, any thoughts?
This is a touchy subject I reckon. I love handshaping a surfboard and have handshaped over a 1000 boards before I even looked at a machine. I had to do my time with my Hitachi planer, sometimes when I started I loved it and other times I wanted to throw it out the window. The company I worked at also had some of the biggest surfboard labels in the world! And at that time its not like it is today with a machine on every corner so I had to learn the finest detail and aspect of surfboard design so as the boards I handshaped had to not just look like the same board as the original shaper overseas or back here in OZ but also perform like the original or better. It wasn’t easy and took many years to get it right with a lot of watching and learning from Col and other great handshapers locally and overseas.

Nowadays though, as my business has grown and given that there has been amazing advancements in machine shaping technology, I would be silly to ignore the incredible benefits they offer. I use the AKU shaper machine and find that I can do what I used to be able to design and handshape in the bay, now in the comfort of my office, home or even plane. I can modify designs down to the millimeter and catalogue all our customer’s boards so I can work closely and very accurately on his or her specific requirements. It allows me to build solid relationships with all our customers, which is so crucial for a surfer and their shaper to have. I also still try to handshape at least a board a month to keep my eye in and keep things fresh, and all the blood, sweat and tears from learning to handshape have certainly not been time wasted. All my curves, concaves, outlines etc are all my own MISFIT designs, from my own proven handshaped boards.



What’s the future of shaping hold for misfit?
More ongoing evolving research and design, more working with great surfers, more performance. You’ll probably laugh but more models on the way, got 3 or 4 in the pipeline for this summer already…
What are you riding at the moment?
I can’t get off my FLAIR to tell you the truth. Its 5’5 x 18 5/8 x 2 ¼ and I love it! For the variety of waves we get around here, it’s amazing. I’ve surfed it in everything from 1 to 6ft, which was pushing it but its just goes great in almost everything in between.
 
If there is one thing you can tell a surfer that they can do to improve their surfing, what would it be?
First and foremost, ride boards that will allow you to enjoy your surfing. If your not having fun your not going to put time in progressing your boards or your surfing for that matter. For the intermediate to advanced surfer know your equipment and work with your shaper, after a board or two and your feedback they should be able to get you a board that works for you. If they don’t, call us…

Finally, any advice you can offer to aspiring shapers?
Again, enjoy what you are doing. If you don’t love it, you won’t put time into researching and design, which are so key. Also, understand the fundamentals of board design. Maybe get a straight edge and a measuring square/tape, and measure your board’s rockers. Study and understand the basics. Then grab a planer and don’t be scared to mow a blank or two down. You’ll get a understanding and respect of how hard it is and how much easier we have it today. Lastly, try and work with surfers that are able to give you feedback on how to improve your boards, and pick a product and do it well. You can’t be everything to everyone…

Thanks for your time Dave. Appreciated mate.

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