SACRED CRAFT - "TRIBUTE TO THE MASTERS SHAPE-OFF" COMPETITION - 10/13 & 14

Six top shapers representing both the eastern and western seaboards of the USA have been selected to participate in the inaugural "Tribute to the Masters Shape-off" presented by Ice-Nine Foam Works and Hobie surfboards. The craftsman competition, which takes place at the SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo October 13 & 14, honors Mike Diffenderfer. The six shapers, chosen regionally via a vote amongst their peers, must replicate a classic "Diff" design within the 1.5 hour allotment of time assigned to them.

The shapers are: Marc Andreini/Nor Cal, Malcolm Campbell/ Ventura/Santa Barbara (unable to attend), Tim Phares/Los Angeles, Terry Martin/Orange County, Jim Phillips/San Diego and Ricky Carroll/East Coast.

"These six shapers represent all of the master craftsman from their respective regions and we are stoked to have such valued members of the board building community in the inaugural "Tribute to the Masters Shape-off," explained competition brain trust and craftsman Chris Christenson. "We have some serious talent here. Each one of these guys are legends in their own right."

Representing the east coast is shaper and board manufacturer Ricky Carroll. "It is a privilege to be included with these great shapers to honor the legendary Mike Diffenderfer," explained Carroll. "I met Diff at a surf shop on the East Coast where he was looking at one of my boards and he gave me one of the best compliments you can get from another shaper he said 'I can surf the shit out of this board!' He has been a big influence with my shaping."

With over 250 years of shaping experience amongst them the competition promises to be an interesting affair. Each shaper receives 1.5 hours in the HOBIE surfboards shaping bay, an Ice-Nine Foam Works blank, a 'Diff' template, and a rocker bar. The rest is up to them. A panel of three will then judge the finished anonymous blanks. The judges are: shaper/craftsman Chris Christenson, Encinitas surfboards owner and shaper (and good buddy of Diff) John Kies, and board historian and "The Surfer's Journal" publisher Steve Pezman. The shaping competition takes place during both days of the SACRED CRAFT Consumer Surfboard Expo, Oct 13 & 14, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The winning shaper will receive $1000.

What: "Tribute to the Masters Shape-off" Competitio

Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds (Google map)

When: Oct 13 & 14

No charge for groms under 16, $5 for everyone else and you get automatically entered in a board raffle.