In an industry increasingly dominated by mass-produced and overseas surfboards, local surfboard shaping remains a craft deeply rooted in community and connection. On California’s Central Coast, surfboard shaper Shane Stoneman has spent more than 25 years hand-shaping boards for surfers he knows personally.
Stoneman believes the relationship between surfer and shaper, and the pride that comes with riding a locally made board, can’t be replicated by factory production. Reporter Rocco Brichler explores why buying local still matters, how surfboard shaping connects people to place, and why Stoneman continues to keep his operation close to home.