The Most Famous Surfboard Shaper, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the surfboard shaper you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 17, 2024 07:16

For surf enthusiasts, choosing the right surfboard can be a pivotal decision, one that changes their interaction with the waves. Each shaper brings their own perspective, technique, and history to their designs, influencing how surfboards perform in various surfing conditions. It's essential to understand who is shaping the boards and how their craftsmanship elevates the surfing experience. This site allows you to participate in recognizing talented surfboard shapers by casting your vote for your favorites. By engaging with our community-driven rankings, you help highlight those individuals whose work deserves recognition, ensuring they get the spotlight they merit. Your input directly shapes the standings, presenting a constantly updated list shaped by collective appreciation and judgement.

Who Is the Most Famous Surfboard Shaper?

1

30
votes

Mickey W. Sanborn · Public domain

Jack O'Neill

Jack O'Neill is one of the most famous surfboard shapers in history. He is known for creating the O'Neill Wetsuit, which revolutionized surfing by allowing surfers to stay warm in cold water. He also created the O'Neill surfboard, which was one of the first boards specifically designed for surfing.
2

38
votes

Al Merrick

Al Merrick is one of the most renowned surfboard shapers in the world. He has shaped boards for some of the most successful surfers in history, including Kelly Slater and Tom Curren. His brand, Channel Islands, is one of the most popular surfboard brands in the world.
3

17
votes

Simon Anderson

Simon Anderson is the creator of the thruster surfboard, which is now the standard board design for competitive surfing. He is also known for his innovative designs and unique approach to shaping.
4

20
votes

Bob McTavish

Bob McTavish is a legendary surfboard shaper who is known for his innovative designs and contributions to the development of modern surfing. He is credited with inventing the V-bottom surfboard, which allowed surfers to perform more advanced maneuvers.
5

17
votes
Gerry Lopez

Gerry Lopez is a legendary surfer and shaper who is known for his iconic surfboard designs and his contributions to the development of modern surfing. He is also known for his smooth and stylish surfing style, which has inspired generations of surfers.
Gerry Lopez in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Hawaiian surfer
6

10
votes

Rusty Preisendorfer

Rusty Preisendorfer is a legendary surfboard shaper who has shaped boards for some of the most successful surfers in history. He is known for his innovative designs and his contributions to the development of modern surfing.
7

9
votes

anonymous · CC0

Dick Brewer

Dick Brewer is a legendary surfboard shaper who is known for his innovative designs and his contributions to the development of modern surfing. He has shaped boards for some of the most successful surfers in history, including Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll.
8

7
votes

Unknown · CC BY 4.0

Carl Ekstrom

Carl Ekstrom is a legendary surfboard shaper who is known for his innovative designs and his contributions to the development of modern surfing. He is credited with inventing the asymmetrical surfboard, which allows surfers to perform more advanced maneuvers.
9

11
votes

Greg Noll

Greg Noll is a legendary surfer and shaper who is known for his contributions to the development of modern surfing. He is also known for his iconic surfboard designs, which have inspired generations of surfers.
10

2
votes

Tom Parrish

Tom Parrish is a legendary surfboard shaper who is known for his innovative designs and his contributions to the development of modern surfing. He has shaped boards for some of the most successful surfers in history, including Tom Curren and Shaun Tomson.

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Ranking factors for famous surfboard shaper

Influence and Legacy

The shaper's impact on the sport of surfing and their contribution to the evolution of surfboard design. This includes their innovation, creation of new surfboard models or design elements, and how their influence has been felt within the surfing community.
Reputation and Recognition

The shaper's reputation within the industry, their standing among fellow shapers, and the recognition they have received from both surfers and industry professionals. This can be determined by awards, accolades, and their presence in the media or surf industry publications.
Quality and Craftsmanship

The quality of the surfboards produced by the shaper and the craftsmanship involved in their construction. This includes evaluating factors such as shape, performance, durability, and attention to detail in the manufacturing process.
Popularity and Demand

The popularity and demand for the shaper's surfboards among surfers, both professional and recreational. This can be determined by factors such as the number of professional surfers riding their boards, customer reviews, and the waiting list or demand for their boards.
Longevity and Consistency

The shaper's longevity in the industry and their ability to consistently produce high-quality surfboards over time. This includes evaluating their track record and reputation for delivering consistent performance in their boards.
Innovation and Adaptability

The shaper's ability to adapt to changing trends and technologies in surfboard design, as well as their ongoing innovation and exploration of new concepts and materials.
Cultural Impact

The cultural impact and influence the shaper has had on the broader surfing community. This includes factors such as their involvement in the local surf culture, their support of community initiatives, and their representation or advocacy for surfing as a lifestyle or sport.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous surfboard shaper. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Shaper is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2169 views
160 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Shaper once every 24 hours. The rank of each Shaper is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous surfboard shaper

Surfing is a sport that has captured the hearts of millions around the world. A crucial component of the surfing experience is the surfboard, which has evolved over the years to become a sleek, streamlined vehicle that allows surfers to ride the waves with ease. Behind each surfboard is a surfboard shaper, an artist who uses their skills and expertise to craft the perfect wave-riding tool. The world of surfboard shaping is filled with talented craftsmen and women who have dedicated their lives to the art. Among them, a select few have risen to the top of the industry, becoming household names in the surfing community. These shapers have shaped boards for some of the world's most famous surfers, and their creations have been ridden on some of the most renowned waves in the world. So, who is the most famous surfboard shaper of all time? It's a difficult question to answer, as there are so many talented shapers out there. However, through polls and rankings on StrawPoll, we aim to gather insights from the surfing community to help shed some light on this question. From the legendary Tom Blake to the contemporary icons like Al Merrick and Matt Biolos, there are many shapers who can lay claim to this title. Stay tuned to StrawPoll to see who comes out on top!