Surfboard Shop Waves Hello to CAD

Technology replaces hand-shaping and allows customers to help customize their own designs

Inside Beachbeat Surfboards in St. Agnes, United Kingdom, a 42" plasma screen draws curious glances from tourists and patrons. What's flashing on the display? It isn't footage of surfers riding wild, frothy waves. It's the interface of a design application used to create one-of-a-kind surfboards.p>

Beachbeat is owned and operated by Peter "Chops" Lascelles, a former Queensland and English surf champion and the reigning champion in the Hossegor Longboard Masters in France. "Many of the older, established shapers don't know how to turn a computer on," he observes, reflecting on the revered art of hand-shaping surfboards.

Nevertheless, Lascelles is taking the plunge into technology, because, he says, "It has allowed me to expand my designs and do a much broader range, whereas before, when we were hand-shaping, we were constrained," he explains, alluding to the time and effort required to explore design alternatives.  Read more >>

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