A surfboard being shaped inside the Whitburn Studio workshop.

Shape your own surfboard.

Spend a day in the workshop with James and shape a board you'll actually surf. No experience needed.

Walk in with an idea. Leave having shaped the board.

This is for anyone who has ever wanted to know how a surfboard is made. The session is tailored to you, the board you want to ride, the waves you surf, and how hands-on you want to be. You do the shaping. James handles the glassing and finish work. When it is ready, you come back and collect something built by your own hands.

A board being shaped on the workshop stand.

You do the shaping.

Performance shortboards, grovellers, longboards, gliders and other shapes are possible. The size and shape can be agreed before the session, based on what you want to make.

Design and theory

Discuss volume, rocker, rails, fin set-up, and why different boards suit different waves.

Materials and tools

Handle the shaping tools and understand how small adjustments change the finished board.

Outline and contours

Shape thickness, width, foil, outline, rails and contours with workshop guidance.

Fin options and finish

Review fin options, placement and finishing choices before James handles the glassing and finish work.

James guides the day. The board is still yours.

The experience takes place at the workshop just north of Winchester and usually takes around four to eight hours, depending on the board. After you shape it, James glasses and finishes it to your spec. Collection is arranged once it is done, or it can be sent by courier.

Close workshop view of a surfboard being shaped by hand.

James holding a freshly shaped surfboard outside the workshop.

It is made to be surfed.

After the shaping day, James glasses and finishes the board to the agreed spec. When it is ready, you collect it from the workshop or arrange courier delivery.

£1,200 fixed fee.

The shaping experience is a fixed £1,200, including the one-to-one workshop day, board materials, glassing and finish work. Self-contained accommodation may be available at a quiet rural farm setting for an additional cost.

From a shaping day.

“I recently did a build your own board day with James and it was absolutely epic. Surpassed my expectations, couldn't recommend more highly. I found the day to be fun, rewarding and really insightful. I also really enjoyed learning more about how the shaping decisions we made influence the feel of the board in the water and whilst up and riding. Huge thanks!”

Gary A

“I did a build your own board day with James. By far the best experience I've had with any shaper! James was so knowledgeable and friendly and was great at guiding me through the different stages of the build and helping me rectify when I cocked up. James is a true artisan craftsman, perfect hand shaped surfboards of any size and shape. Will 100% be making another surfboard with him, when my better half allows me too! Would 1000% recommend!!!”

James B

“I was bought the Whitburn Surfboards board shaping experience as a birthday present and what a present it was! The whole experience from start to finish was exceptional! Having had an in depth discussion on what I was hoping to shape and how to do it I was guided through the process and techniques of board shaping with patience and skill. 10/10 would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn how to shape boards in a supportive and wholesome environment. There's also one hell of a cute dog at the site.”

Max

Start your experience.

Tell James what sort of board you would love to make, how hands-on you want to be, and the dates that would work for you. He will come back with the next available shaping day.