By Sue DeWerff
When it comes to the art of surfboard shaping — there is no such thing as “too old” to continue your craft.That statement proved to be fact at this year’s Florida Shape Off held at the Orlando Convention from Jan. 8-10 during Surf Expo.
The highlight of the annual three-day event, hosted by Rockledge’s R&D Surf Factory owner, Ricky Carroll and sponsored by US Blanks and Surf Expo, featured six talented craftsmen tasked with replicating a legendary twin-fin shortboard created by Pete Dooley, East Coast Surfing Hall of Famer and former owner of the iconic “Natural Art” Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.
In 1971, Pete Dooley, along with three fellow surfers, founded Natural Art with a groundbreaking vision: to design and craft the most advanced surfboards in the world. Driven by their commitment to innovation, Natural Art boards made their mark on the waves of Hawaii, California, and beyond, earning international acclaim.
Each of the shapers were connected to Dooley, via past employment, and all were seasoned “senior” shapers and icons of the craft.
Cocoa Beach resident, Allen White, won first place and was the recipient of $2,000 and a Living in Sunshine surfboard rack. “I guess I finally did something right,” said the 68-year-old. A first-time winner, Caroll jokingly revealed White was the guy who always inquired after previous shape-off contests what he was doing wrong. “This was the ‘battle of the old pros,’” said White.
Growing up near the Outer Banks of North Carolina, White began surfing at just 6 years old. Before opening the Sea Level Surf Shop and Seasoned Surfboards Factory in Virginia Beach, he met Dooley in the late 1970s while working for Natural Art. He came to Brevard in 1993 and has been shaping his Allen White Custom Designs since.
Satellite Beach’s Chris Birch, 66, who was awarded second place and earned $1,000 for his efforts, began building boards in 1978, while working for Natural Art. “This was my first time to get in on this, and I am humbled to have been part of this iconic group,” he said. This year marks his 47th year in the industry.
