DEL MAR — The Boardroom Consumer Surfboard Tradeshow will host a contest for six shapers, honoring Ben Aipa, May 17 and May 18 in Del Mar.
A call went out to shapers around the world. Three were randomly selected from a large international pool. Two were selected by Aipa himself. The final shaper of the six competing is defending champion Matt Calvani of Encinitas.
Shapers chosen for the Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters Shape-off include:
— Matt Calvani – Encinitas
— Cordell Miller – Newport Beach
— Davey Smith – Santa Barbara
— Roger Hinds – California, Hawaii
— Axel Laurentz – France, Spain
— Skye Richards – Florida
The six shapers will each receive an hour and a half in the shaping bay as they attempt to replicate a classic Ben Aipa shape. Each brings in his own tools; with the blank and outline template provided. The shapers will only be able to measure and/or touch the board during the allotted time in the shaping bay – which is strictly timed.
Ben Aipa, along with sons Akila and Duke, will then judge the anonymous blanks.
The winning shaper receives $1,000 and their name etched on the Mike Marshall Perpetual Trophy alongside past winners Ricky Carroll, Pat Rawson, Marc Andreini, Wayne Rich, Matt Biolos, Ward Coffey, Stu Kenson and Matt Calvani.
“We are humbled and extremely stoked to honor legendary Hawaiian surfer, shaper, waterman Mr. Ben Aipa,” said Scott Bass, executive director of The Boardroom. “Since 2007 all of the shapers that participate in the shape-off do so out of respect for the honoree, and the craft of surfboard shaping – a sacred craft. A craft passed down through the generations, beginning in Polynesia and carrying on today with icons such as Ben Aipa, as the spirit and culture of surfboard building, designing and manufacturing thrives.”
