The Artisan Board Builder

MONTHLY DRAWING/RAFFLE

We're happy to announce that the winners of FEBRUARY'S RAFFLE of three Future K1 Bamboo Keel Sets are: John Moore of Washington, NC; Garrett Fermo of Southern California; and long time Foam E-Z customer Dave Levell of Huntington Beach, CA! This month we're raffling off THREE E-Z Squares to three different customers. All you have to be entered is spend $30.00 or more in the shop or online. The winner will be announced at the beginning of April in our newsletter and on our blog. Happy raffling!

PRO-SHAPER INTERVIEW: Jason Hoffman by Grizzly

Jason Hoffman

Here I am with this month's Pro Shaper Profile and I'm proud to say we have a video interview with Jason Hoffman. We are highlighting the artisan board builder which Jason and business partner Casey McCrystal truly define. Like many other shapers over the past five years, Jason has been building his boards from start to finish in house. He used to shape out of a room he rented at Foam E-Z and just crank them out and then drop them off at a glass shop. Since times are tough he made the move and bought the glass shop next door to the old Foam E-Z location and has been building his business even during this crazy time. As I mentioned before he has teamed up with Casey McCrystal to form a company called Ricochet. They are hands on and build each board from start to finish, that's right, they take your order, shape it, glass it, and even hand it off to you when it's done. Check out their websites for more information: Jason Hoffman or Casey McCrystal

It's been great knowing and working with Jason over the years so please enjoy the conversation I had with him.

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO INTERVIEW

Marking out the Template

Jason's Shaping Bay

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT and REVIEW: E-Z Square, E-Z Finish Pad, and E-Z Calipers

Tools, tools, tools, tools!!! I love Ôem, especially when they're used to make surfboards. Every shaper has their favorite tool, maybe they have had it since they shaped their first board or maybe it is super hard to find and is the envy of all other shapers. Not every tool is coveted but those tools are just as important to the overall process which is why I want to focus on the E-Z Finish Shaping Pad, E-Z Square, and the E-Z Calipers. The E-Z Square is a great measuring device that has it all; it's simple to use, accurate, and gives you the option to use inches or centimeters if you want to be exotic, ha ha. Matt Bettis of Bettis Surfboards loves the E-Z Square and uses it for "outlines and fin placement...it's a universal tool that is very handy and a necessity for any shaper. It's a steal at $24.95."

Another tool that helps dial in your shape is the E-Z Calipers, which are one sale for $74.95. Sure the original C-calipers will get the job done but the E-Z Calipers get you finished quicker and with style. They are a no brainer for any shaper who is trying to save time which we all know that time = money. With the easy grip scissor handle even a child can use them with ease.

So I know that the previous items might be a bit pricey for some of you out there, money is tight etc... but, I've got to be honest about the E-Z Finish Shaping Pad, you need it! It's only $8.95 and it's the best way to finish out a board and I know that some of you are like, "nah, I use a grout sponge with my sand screen" or " I use the old egg crate foam from under my kids old bed." The grout sponge is for grout and that old egg crate smells like pee. No better way to screen out a board like a pro than with the E-Z Finish Shaping Pad.