The early arrival of Daylight Savings Time may have caused me to
lose an hour of sleep, but the added hours of sunshine combined with a
rebate from the IRS meant only one thing--it's time to buy a new
surfboard. For me, surfing has always been a hand-me-down affair where
the board to surf happens to be the board available. However, seeking
out the right board proved to be no easy task. From eBay to Craigslist
to the Orange County Recycler, even browsing through local surf shops,
the options for boards both new and used seemed overwhelming.

Many people tempted to take up surfing may find access
intimidating. As if developing the skill is not difficult enough, it
is made more so by a perception that asking questions paints you to
look like a kook. Well-made surfboards do not carry the reputation of
being inexpensive, either. So from the web to the showroom I waded
through tech specs and price tags hoping be sold the right board for
the right reason. Amid this predicament, almost wishing I had taken up
tennis, an answer crashed down upon me like a wave: Why not go to the
source? So I did, and not only was I provided with the boardware to
get started, I was also inspired by larger lessons as well.

It's easy to imagine a fresh look at surfboard design coming from an
industrial park near the shores of Costa Mesa, California. Located
there, between the tidal scent of saltwater and the solvent smell of
fiberglass resin stands Griffin Neumann-Kyle. Although only 19,
Griffin is quickly establishing himself as a top player in the next
generation of surfboard shapers. Under the label of GNK Surfboards,
this young surfer is literally trying to carve a niche in an
environment where competition comes from all directions--beset by
legendary shapers on one side, while battling mass-manufactured import
boards on the other. These obstacles do not seem to intimidate the
Long Beach native, who clad in a Surfrider Foundation t-shirt,
confidently sands someone's next board with the requisite amount of
youthful optimism and vigor.

For now, GNK Surfboards is housed at Clearwater Glassing. There is
no glossy storefront. Surf stickers on the window are about all that
separates this exterior from the dozens of other warehouses in the
area. Inside, however, it is plain to see this is a workshop filled
with momentum and foam dust. The source of this foam dust comes from
Griffin sanding. He pats his hands on his jeans to free the dust and
offers a handshake. After the formalities, Griffin turns down the
volume on a computer where a YouTube video of Jerry Garcia informs the
work.

Griffin is eager to get me paddling out in the right direction.
Underneath his sun-bleached blond hair, a bright smile peers out from
his tanned face. He grabs an order form and we get started. Touring
the workshop, Griffin walked me through the process and took the time
to talk to me as if he were a doctor or detective; diagnosing my
situation, searching for crucial evidence he would then translate into
his shaping strategy. Much more than just asking my height, weight,
and time spent. "If I have never seen them surf, I watch a person walk
around, listen to them talk and try to imagine how they would ride a
wave. Some change from dry land to the water, but most of the time
temperaments are pretty close." For me, the result was "Glide." From
there, a 9' 4" diamond-tail longboard went into production.

When it came time to quote the price, I admit to Griffin I was drawn
to his shop because the rates posted on his website were competitive to
what was available on the used market. Reasonable rates for a brand
new, custom order tailored to suit my needs. Moreover, by speaking
directly with the boardmaker, the cost included a better sense of
identifying what those needs were. With Griffin helping to demystify
the jargon of the trade, I found it to be money well spent. From style
selection, to rail and tail design, to depth of concave vs. rocker
angle, the young shaper explained the subtleties in a way that got me
involved. His advice for the novice surfboard shopper is, "don't just
look at what everybody else is buying, you have to do your own thing.
Start with the right board and then it's just a matter of putting the
time in. If you are not honest with your skill level you may end up
spending too much money on the wrong board and blaming the board, or
worse, the shaper."

Griffin continues to translate the measurements of the board he will
design. Among the numbers I start to drift, hearing him assure me,
"when you start riding the nose, and you will, you'll find it to be
solid, right there under your feet." I imagine my ten toes hangin'
only to have my daydreaming cut short when he invites me to return in
2-3 weeks. Oh well, it's silly to think you can hurry custom
craftsmanship.

As we further discussed the board, I was not surprised to find that
both of Griffin's parents are teachers who are also skilled carpenters
spending their free time on home-improvement projects. He credits his
fondness for tools and construction to growing up around this and
demonstrates a grounded respect for tradition. When asked about his
influences, he does not hesitate paying homage to an assortment of
characters that have sped him on his way. His shaping heritage begins
with Jon Wegener who gave him his first job, Roy Promer who runs
Clearwater Glassing where Griffin now operates to better control his
overhead, Jim Turner whom he considers to be one of the most
underappreciated shapers, Bruce Jones--a mentor whose philosophy to hand
shape boards from start to finish Griffin has adopted, and Steve Boehne
whom he admires because of the family involvement Steve incorporates
into his practice.

If being an accomplished surfer, board builder, and entrepreneur is
not enough, Griffin also dedicates his efforts to being a responsible
steward of the environment. "It's all about giving back," he says,
regarding the discount he offers members of Surfrider Foundation. If
that's not enough, every year he donates a percentage of his earnings
to this non-profit organization dedicated to protecting coastal
resources for everyone's enjoyment. To top that off, Griffin has begun
to incorporate "green" elements into his work by branching into the use
of biofoam blanks supplied by companies like Ice 9 and Home Blown U.
S. These injection-mold manufacturers construct the raw materials
"blanks" from which surfboards are carved. These foam blocks are made
of compounds derived from sugar or other agricultural products. They
perform on an equal platform as their petroleum-based counterparts that
have dominated the scene for the past 30 years. "More and more people
want to know where these boards come from, so you get more people who
care about what's in them." Griffin pictures himself evolving with
this technology, viewing it as a necessity more than a trend.

A couple of weeks pass until I return as giddy as if it were
Christmas. The board is a gem; signed, numbered and ready for her
maiden voyage. Griffin passes over it with a ruler and level to show
how the design elements we discussed manifest in the finished form. I
leave satisfied, not only because I have a piece of foam and fiberglass
to help me connect with the waves, but satisfied that my money stays
local and supports both a charity like Surfrider Foundation as well as
one from the next generation of surfboard shapers willing to push the
envelope.

For more info on GNK surfboards, go to www.gnksurfboards.com.