Shaper FAQ’s with Gary Hanel:

Where are you shaping and surfing?

I shape and surf in Encinitas, California.

What year did you start shaping?

1975

What are you currently riding?

I have a 5’8″ Pillzer and two 6’4″ Cuda Bonzers. One is 14 x 20 x 15 1/2 , the other is 12 1/2 x 19 3/4 x 15

What trends have you noticed in board design recently?

A lot of people riding boards that are too wide and too small.

What’s your shaping philosophy?

I like to have boards that evolve. They seem to last. Most of the revolutionary boards come in and go out just as fast. I like to revisit the past but I update a lot of the aspects of the boards. A lot of boards did not work then and do not work now. I do not want a board that is hard to ride but is sooooooo cooooool.

Who is your biggest shaping influence?

I watched a lot of shapers in the Encinitas area and focused on the ones that were doing the clean lines.

What do you consider to be your expertise?

I can shape a wide spectrum of boards. I probably have shaped more 5 fin bonzers than anyone besides the Campbell bros. I have refined my eggs so that the are a high performance board.