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: San Clemente’s Timmy Patterson.
Name: Timmy Patterson
Zone: San Clemente
Years Shaping: 30
IS YOUR BUSINESS BETTER OR WORSE SINCE THE CLARK FOAM SHUTDOWN?
DO YOU FEEL POLYURETHANE FOAM/POLYESTER RESIN WILL ALWAYS BE THE DOMINANT SURFBOARD CONSTRUCTION?
For the time being yes, but who knows what the future holds if resin price keeps increasing, then epoxy will be something to look into.
DO YOU THINK THERE'S AN INCREASING OR DECREASING APPRECIATION FOR A CUSTOM SURFBOARD?
For what we do, there’s an appreciation.
ARE QUADS DECLINING OR INCREASING IN POPULARITY?
What are those? Just Kidding!!!
WHAT'S KEEPING YOU AFLOAT?
Custom clientele? Yes. Shop accounts? Yes. Surftech? Yes. Shop accounts and the customs are what keeps me stoked cause I get to see the orders and shape them!
IF IT HASN'T ALREADY, WILL YOUR SURFBOARD PRODUCTION EVER HAVE TO GO OVERSEAS?
Hopefully never. Their prices are hard to compete with. WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU SHAPE?
Loud scary music so I can be alone in my room. I concentrate the best when I'm alone, but I love listening to Hawaiian and reggae music.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ON A SINGLE BOARD NOW?
DO YOU SPEND MORE TIME ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN OR IN THE SHAPING BAY?
HOW IMPORTANT IS TEAM RIDER FEEDBACK TO YOU?
Very, its how I know how and what to shape.
WHAT KIND OF BOARD DO YOU ENJOY SHAPING MOST RIGHT NOW?
Anything high performance. Anything that makes you fly from mushy slow waves to long point breaks, to hollow reef passes, to 100 ft waves, as long as it is high performance.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET TO SURF?
Not enough, but enough. If there is a solid swell I'm not around, I'm in the water.
ARE YOU ACTIVELY PURSUING "GREENER" AVENUES IN YOUR SURFBOARD PRODUCTION?
Yes! We don't waste material. We don't cut away too much foam, by using to big a blank; and our resin doesn't drop on the floor, we scoop it back in the bucket. It's a technique I like to use working rail to rail on the board.