Head Shaper:

Dan Taylor

Behind the Brand: Dan Taylor started making surfboards 35 years ago in his parents’ garage. Today, he prides himself on being a versatile shaper who is well versed in epoxy and polyester and the intricacies of making everything from a shortboard, to a log, to a paddleboard. With a respect for quality control, Taylor hand-shapes all of his boards in-house from start to finish with the best products available. He also says a passion for riding waves and an eye for a top-notch end-product are the core tenants of his business. “It’s not about how many boards you can sell,” he says, “but the quality you can give back to surfing community.”

About Taylor's Most Popular Models: “My most popular models are the Roach, for all systems go; the Hammer, which is the go-to for when the waves decide to get good; and the Performance Longboard, for when it’s small and calls for you to have a beer in your hand and the sun in your face, assuring you the longest ride possible.”

Shop Talk: “Volume control is the most important quality to have in your surfboard. Every surfer/customer is different, and being able to adjust volume to their specific needs to better their overall performance in and out of the water is key.”

Who are your notable team riders and what’s the most important feedback you’ve received from them, or your customers, regarding your boards? “Some of my guys are Jersey legend Sam Hammer, Puerto Rico’s Darren Muschett and up-and-comer Hector Santa Maria, Adam Knox, and world-renowned noserider Dodger Kremel. Any and all feedback from these guys and my customers is important. We’re trying to give them all a better session than the last one, every time we build them a board.”

When a new customer comes to you for a custom shape, what kind of questions do you ask to ensure you’ll make them what they’re looking for? “Previous experience, age, height, weight, typical use of the board. I also really try and get a feel for what personal goals the surfer is trying to achieve.”

Tell us about the changes you’ve seen in recent years in the shaping realm, and how it has affected your craft. “The cost of labor and the love of it. It’s no longer an art. It’s become a business. The art of shaping is slowly dying off, which saddens me and others dedicated to having a good time in the shaping bay for the love of giving consumers what they want.”

Which project are you and you customers having the most fun with right now? “The idea of moving rocker, volume, and outlines around. This allows us greater feedback from the traditional shortboard outline that we we’ve been pumping out. Now the world has had their eyes opened to what’s fun to ride, and our focus is to give our customers the biggest smile.”

Which trend would you like to see continue and why? “I like that there are more girlies and ladies in the lineup learning our sport. Why? You ask why? Why not? Is there something wrong with having girls grace us with their presence in the water? Of course not!”