Billabongs Art of Shaping San Diego Edition Raises 46,600 for Charity

San Diego County is famous for its talented crew of designers and shapers that have introduced a significant number of innovations such as the Stevie Lis Fish, the Ekstrom asymmetrical, the Rich Pavel Speedialer, the Donald Takayama Step Deck and other notable designs which have had a remarkable effect on the sport of surfing and the surfboard itself.

This years' "Billabong Art of Shaping: San Diego Edition" event will featured many of the top shapers from the rich board building heritage of San Diego county. The finalized list of invitees includes:

Bill Bahne, Tim Bessell, Chris Christenson, Carl Ekstrom, Rick Hamon, Gary Hanel, John Kies, Gary Linden, Steve Lis, Larry Mabile, Gary MacNabb, Bob Mitsven, Rich "Toby" Pavel, Steve Pendarvis, Jim Phillips, Rusty Preisendorfer, Robin Prodanovich, Steve Seebold, Donald Takayama, Hank Warner, Xanadu, Bear Mirandon, and Marcio Zouvi.

The intention of Billabong's 2009 Art of Shaping San Diego Edition Event was to showcase and pay tribute to San Diego County shapers and their invaluable accomplishments and contributions to the art of surfboard building over the last five decades.  Event organizer, Royce Cansler, and amazing portrait photographer, Cher Pendarvis spent 3 days capturing the chosen shapers in their element.  All portraits were displayed next to the shapers boards on the ASR floor.

HOW IT WORKS

Once a chosen shaper accepts the invitation to participate in The Billabong Art of Shaping San Diego Edition Event he is issued a check for $600 cash to be used towards materials for his entry of choice. The shaper is then free to submit whatever type of board he deems appropriate; knowing his board will be showcased with those of his peers. The Billabong Art of Shaping Event featured 23 boards from 23 different shapers on display Thursday September 10th and Friday September 11th at ASR in the San Diego Convention Center.

A Shaper’s Reception was held where shapers were available to meet guests and talk of the story about the boards they have created.  A Live Auction was held where each and every board was auctioned off to benefit The SIMA Humanitarian Fund.

THE WINNERS

The SIMA Humanitarian Fund will receive a check for 46,600 dollars from money raised during the Live Auction of Surfboards.

The board that secured the highest auction price of $8,000 at the Live Auction was a Jim Phillips Surfboard.  It was an very unique design of multiple stringers running throughout the board in a pattern of Sun Rays.  Jim Phillips was awarded a check from Billabong for $2,000.   He also received a board order from Surf Ride for (8) boards.

Bob Mitsven was the runner up with a chambered Cedar wood surfboard that auctioned for $4,100.   As runner up Mitsven Surfboards will receive a full page ad in SURFING Magazine's "Board Builder's Issue" featuring his boards and company.   He also received an (8) board order from Hansens Surf Shop.

There was an amazing 5-way tie for 3rd Place with Chris Christenson, Bear Mirandon, Rich "Toby" Pavel, Rusty, and Gary Linden all having their surfboards auction for $3000.00 per board.

Another notable winner was Hank Warner who received an (8) Board order from Hanger 94.