Editor’s Note: In conjunction with our annual Surfboards Issue (On newsstands Nov. 18), we will be posting one interview per day with a craftsman who contributed to the issue. Some are the biggest names in the bay; others are underground and want to keep it that way. But all of them share an equal passion for the crafts that move us forward. In these tough economic times, they all have a lot to say on where their craft is going. This time: T and C guru Glenn Pang.
Name: Glenn Pang
Zone: Hawaii
Years Shaping: 37 years
Boards Per Week: 30 to 50 boards
Specialty: High performance short boards
Is your business better or worse since the Clark Foam shutdown?
We haven't used to many Clark Foam blanks for at least 15 years before they shutdown, so it really didn't affect us so much as it did other manufacturers.
Do you feel polyurethane foam/polyester resin will always be the dominant surfboard construction?
PU construction will probably be dominant for the next few years, but there are a lot of new materials and construction methods currently being tested, that are looking really good and should be gaining ground in the near future.
Do you think there's an increasing or decreasing appreciation for a custom surfboard?
More so, in this time with everything going on with the economy, guys are looking to spend wisely and are looking to get exactly what they want. There are also more and more surfers that are educated and know what they want in a shape to make the board work better for them.
Are quads declining or increasing in popularity?
We had a big surge, not only in quads, but other multi finned boards for a few years. This year it has really tapered off, even though some of our riders like Mikala Jones are still liking the quads even in larger surf.
What's keeping you afloat? Custom clientele? Shop accounts? Surftech?
We are doing everything, customs, accounts, Surftech, but we are probably doing more customs than anything else.
If it hasn't already, will your surfboard production ever have to go overseas?
We have been looking into the overseas market for a while. Our main goal is trying to produce certain type of boards with different construction methods that are not feasible to manufacture locally.
What kind of music do you like to listen to when you shape?
How much time do you spend on a single board now?
About 30 to 40 minutes per board
Do you spend more time on the computer screen or in the shaping bay?
I spend the days in the bay and do all the computer work in the evenings
How important is teamrider feedback to you?
Feedback from the riders is very important, but there is nothing like trying the board for yourself.
What kind of board do you enjoy shaping most right now?
I like experimenting with different materials. I am currently working with different carbon and foam combos to achieve different flexes.
How often do you get to surf?
I try to get in the water at least 3 to 4 times a week, but it gets hard for me in the winter when we have the winter rush going on with all the guys coming for the comps.
Are you actively pursuing "greener" avenues in your surfboard production?
We try a little to do our part