The week before Christmas

The rains have ended, I can again return to laying out custom stringer combinations for two Ka po'e a'ea Models.

This is a concept that I brought to life for myself, I wanted a board that was the epitomy of what Brewer or Diff would have made as as semi-gun in 1964, my graduation year from Arthur W. Radford High School in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The rockers were modernized, but the plan shape was North Shore geev'um bra'. The rails are high in the nose, with a slight belly under the entry rocker, mid section eases off with a gas peddle area under the front foot, the rails go to hard in the tail with a rocker that was gleened from the 9'5" Clark, 10'4" Barnfield, 9'1" Brewer private collection. On first glimpse, the tail rocker looks a little extreme, but once the board in into a wave, it becomes alive with it's ability to fit in critical sections.

During the first few years on the North Shore, I had been riding it with a Yater 9" fin, the board rode OK, but I felt I was more hanging on than surfing this board. It was not until an epic summer swell at Malibu while assisting in filming a documentary about ancient board designs, that I got to ride this board with a different fin. I borrowed a super raked 10" fin from my body guard, Brad Schaffner, black belt, ultimate fighting champion, Corn Bread Mafia enforcer, spiritual adviser. Malibu had been 3-5 feet for a week with not a let up in the swell, the winds stayed light all day and the late afternoon had an incoming tide. The very first wave, I knew I had been riding the WRONG fin set- all along, this board now was one of those magic boards, drive into the bottom and carry the turn around the section, pump along the wall and set the rail for a wrap around cut back onto the lip and white water. As the waves started to approach the inside and run along the beach, bowls would start to form ahead of the curl, perfect set-ups for floater re-entries.

It was a great session, to be an old man, in perfect waves, light crowds and some of my best pals out with me. Rode that board again last fall with the same bunch of pirates at Scorpion Bay, when one day I am gone from this life, someone will ride this board and be as stoked as I have been.

The name of the board........ Ka Po'e A'ea......... "The Wanderer"........... We were a school of mainly military kids, all of us from different corners of the globe, all of us Wanderers

Custom?

No story here just some pics of a board designed by Bill Thrilkill and "tuned" by me.

Master Shaper I and II

You can order your DVD directly from me by email at jimthegenius@aol.com

Master I

The Damascus Production Group introduces the first in its "Master Series". This project developed as aspiring shapers and backyard foam scrubbers had a desire to build longer more traditional classic surfboards. The "101" series opened the door for many who had a desire to learn how a modern surfboard is built. The Master Shaper Series takes the concept further and much deeper into the craft, focusing on the lost art techniques used in the '60's and '70's style boards that are today some of the most sought after collectibles. The topics, layout and production of this video project were carefully considered. Using feedback from many of the Internet's most popular surfboard design forums and discussion boards, this program is designed for both the beginner and more advanced builder. Jim Phillips has been involved with many notable labels and projects. Today his name is synonymous with high quality shaping with an emphasis on intricate foam and wood blank designs. This is an unprecedented glimpse over the shoulder of one of surfing's true craftsmen. Other surfboard shaping films include 20 minutes of actual instruction within a film meant primarily for entertainment. In contrast, the Master Shaper Series is an in-depth look into shaping education, filling 2 hours with detailed, informative and applicable instruction.

	Tools/safety Design theory Layout Shaping Finishing

Master II

The final entry in the Master Series. We are calling it the Master Shaper II. The focus of this video is shortboard shaping although we did make sure to include many of the intermediate topics not covered in the first shaper video. This DVD has a much faster pace than the previous two but no less information. There is a lot of ground covered in this disk so it may take a few viewings to get it all down. In contrast to the original Master Shaper Series, this new addition focuses on the modern shortboard. Also included in this DVD is an in-depth look at wooden boards. Check below for a detailed list of contents.

Here are some of the things covered in the shortboard sequences: Tools (with some new additions) Very detailed look at the prep sequence How to compensate for blank discrepencies Plan shape Shaping Sanding Blank detailing Finishing work Template making Rocker templates Spin templates Pulling templates off existing boards Fin placement explained A comparison of the different rocker measurement procedures Here are some of the things covered in the balsa sequences: Cleaning up the raw materials (balsa block) Determine and draw rocker Tool settings and jigs Cut rocker Cut redwoood stringers Glue up blank Layout plan shape Shape the blank Sanding Finishing Chambering explanation Chamber tools and jigs

"Shapers"

"Shaped by Rob Vaughn".

Another 3rd string rookie. What a forking flapper, uses a machine blank and has the gaul to torture it. Like how he sanded forever on the end of the left bottom. I couldn't stand to have him under my roof; it would make me go INSANE. Think of all those people who are spoon fed great heaping piles of shit because of the "NAME". I would love to see him in action with a real blank, a real hunk of wood down the middle and have to figure out how to turn rail bands with two hands. Next month, I heard Surfers Journal is doing an ironic story on him - the irony is he can't use any electric tools. I did more technical shit today than he has done in a lifetime.

Diff Fin

This is the Law

"It is the pervading law of all things organic, and inorganic, of all things physical and metaphysical, of all things human and all things super-human, of all true manifestations of the head, of the heart, of the soul, that the life is recognizable in its expression, that form ever follows function. This is the law."

-Louis Sullivan

Corduroy Lines Vol 7

A big thanks to UK mag Corduroy Lines for publishing a story on my work. I'll upload the details as a blog entry as well but it's nice to see them in line with the imagery.

Nalu Underground Vol1 Issue 4

If you click in the magazine name it will take you to a story on the wood board project in Nalu Underground.

Make Surfboards Not Money

Blood sweat and tears go into each board...this is what I do for a living and 45,000 boards later I'm enjoying making your board just as much as the first one I built back in my dad's carport on Oahu.

Welcome to my blog

I've been asked to start sharing some of the stories of my life in the surf business plus I'll be posting some of my daily creations.

Also check out www.jimthegenius.com to see the model line up.