An Interview with a Surf Board Shaper

Discover more about our Local Surfboard Shaper

Steve Parks — North East Surfboard Shaper

He’s the owner and shaper behind ND Surfboards, based in the North East of England.
He shapes all kinds of surfboards and can build boards tailored to different styles and skill levels.
Steve emphasizes the full process — from first sketch, through shaping, to the joy his customers who ride his boards. He is passionate about both craft and customer relationships.
Steve has been shaping Surfboards for decades now in the North East and has helped thousands of surfers from around the UK develop there Surf Skills to a higher level. Always learning along the way.

🏄‍♂️ About His Craft and Process

What first drew you to shaping surfboards, and how has your approach evolved since your first board?
Well when i first started to learn to surf, which was a very long time ago i was bigger than the average surfer. Therefore i couldn’t find a board to progress on from a learner surfboard. However i do have the Skills from a long Engineering career so i started making boards for myself.
What’s your favourite part of the shaping process — design, glassing, sanding, or seeing the board catch its first wave?
My favorite bit of the process has always been the design phase, coming up with new ideas then watching them come to life in the Water.
How do you balance traditional hand-shaping techniques with modern materials and technology. Do you have a “signature” board design or model that really represents your shaping style?
I originally started out a s a Hand shaper then adopted the CNC mahine shaping later. I love the hand shaping process but also realize the benefits of being able to reproduce boards to a tolerance for the customer. These day’s you have to embrace both. If i was to pick a shape or type of Surfboard that represents my shaping it would have to be the Planning Hull. Boards like the Mini Simmons and finless designs, anything weird really.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from boards that didn’t ride the way you hoped?
Even though it might be disappointing it’s part of the process of learning, you’ll learn more from a mistake than you every will from success. 🌊 On Surf Culture in the North East
What makes surfing in the North East of England unique compared to better-known surf regions?
Oh we have some fantastic surf spots up here in the North East, the vibe is still friendly and the waves are not to cramped like down the SW.
How has the local surf community changed over the years, and how have those changes affected your work?
The main difference is the explosion of new surfers over the last decade. You would think that would be good news but younger surfers or more Brand driven and buy surfboards based on Brand rather than substance. It’s a pity really most young surfers in the North East don’t even know i’m here unless they need there board repaired.⚙️ The Surf Industry Today
How do you see the balance between small, custom board builders and the rise of big-brand, Surf board shops
Let’s be honest here, as a small surfboard shaping company in the North East i can not compete with Large Surf Shops importing boards from oversees. The Truth is the small UK Surfboard company is a dying breed of skills that will not be replaced, so like it or not if you don’t support your local shaper then who is going to fix your expensive board when it’s damaged. However i have an edge for now and that is you don’t get the same service as you would a local shaper. I’m cheaper, Love making surfboards and offer you not only a real person to help you design your next board. I’m also here if you need help in the future with dings or advice. It’s got to be better to buy a board from someone who actually surfs the spots you do, that’s knowledge right and that’s priceless.
Do you think surfboard design is still evolving, or have we already found the “perfect” shapes for most conditions?
Surfboard shapes have and will always evolve, the perfect board to one person is a dog shape to another. Old shapes re-appear and new shapes disappear to re-appear in the next decade under anew name. As surfer the best board i have ridden is a design from 400 years ago. The Alaia is vastly underrated as a surfboard design and that’s why i incorporate it’s features into some of my shapes like the new U.S.O.
If you would like to get in touch with Steve Parks or see more of his Surfboard designs, mabe even order a Custom Surfboard just follow this link ND Surfboards