Surfboards by Pinder
About Todd Pinder
Zen and the Art of Surfboard Manufacturing
Because of the recent trend of globalization in the economy and price competition, craftsmanship is gradually dying off even before the next generation takes over it. Todd is one of the last shapers who mastered the traditional surfboard building techniques from Oahu’s legendary shapers. He mastered all the necessary skills to manufacture not only surfboards, but also kneeboards, canoes and various other sea crafts.
Todd was born and raised in Key West Fl. Todd built his first surfboard when he was a junior in high school. After graduating high school in 1993, he moved up to Melbourne, Fl., and worked for a surfboard manufacturing company Spectrum. He started off with ding repair, and worked his way up to become a shaper. However, Todd’s journey did not end there. In 1997, Todd traveled 5,000 miles to Honolulu to pursue his dream of becoming a renowned surfboard shaper, with merely $500 cash in his pocket.
In 1998, Todd met Cippy Cabato of Classic Surfboards. Cippy is one of the most respected shapers in Hawaii, and has been an inspiration to many young surfers and shapers, especially in Oahu’s Southshore. Todd is one of the shapers whose life was greatly influenced by him. Todd worked with Cippy in his factory until 2002. While he was working at Cippy’s factory, he met legendary Hawaiian waterman, Tiger Espere. Through Tiger, Todd got an opportunity to shape boards with him in Japan. Until 2004, Todd shaped more than hundred boards for Masanori Komuro, a legendary surfer who owns one of the oldest surf shops in Japan.
Todd feels fortunate to have been able to worked for many established shops and shapers, such as Blue Hawaii, Carl Schaper, Town & Country and Inter-Island, just to name a few. Having been influenced by master craftsmen of Oahu, Todd has no visions in his mind to go for cutting-edge computer shaped boards or mass-produced boards made overseas. A tradition of craftsmanship was passed on to Todd. He has been and always will be a meticulous craftsman, who always searches for perfection.
Because of the recent trend of globalization in the economy and price competition, craftsmanship is gradually dying off even before the next generation takes over it. Todd is one of the last shapers who mastered the traditional surfboard building techniques from Oahu’s legendary shapers. He mastered all the necessary skills to manufacture not only surfboards, but also kneeboards, canoes and various other sea crafts.
Todd was born and raised in Key West Fl. Todd built his first surfboard when he was a junior in high school. After graduating high school in 1993, he moved up to Melbourne, Fl., and worked for a surfboard manufacturing company Spectrum. He started off with ding repair, and worked his way up to become a shaper. However, Todd’s journey did not end there. In 1997, Todd traveled 5,000 miles to Honolulu to pursue his dream of becoming a renowned surfboard shaper, with merely $500 cash in his pocket.
In 1998, Todd met Cippy Cabato of Classic Surfboards. Cippy is one of the most respected shapers in Hawaii, and has been an inspiration to many young surfers and shapers, especially in Oahu’s Southshore. Todd is one of the shapers whose life was greatly influenced by him. Todd worked with Cippy in his factory until 2002. While he was working at Cippy’s factory, he met legendary Hawaiian waterman, Tiger Espere. Through Tiger, Todd got an opportunity to shape boards with him in Japan. Until 2004, Todd shaped more than hundred boards for Masanori Komuro, a legendary surfer who owns one of the oldest surf shops in Japan.
Todd feels fortunate to have been able to worked for many established shops and shapers, such as Blue Hawaii, Carl Schaper, Town & Country and Inter-Island, just to name a few. Having been influenced by master craftsmen of Oahu, Todd has no visions in his mind to go for cutting-edge computer shaped boards or mass-produced boards made overseas. A tradition of craftsmanship was passed on to Todd. He has been and always will be a meticulous craftsman, who always searches for perfection.
