Tim Stamps is the true new breed of surfboard builder who uses computer technology and machines to create the various shapes found on the surfboard market today. Some board builders take issue with it as shaping, but to Tim who has a high level of computer and designing skills from his background at college, it’s just a more precise way of building a surfboard. Having spent  quite a few years shaping with Harbour surfboards the hand shaping, the CAD program and shaping machine are just different tools to get a board with less flaws, twist or uneven lines. We took some time to ask Tim a few questions and get his views on board building, shaping and the general state of the industry.

1. What got you into building surfboards and who gave you your break into the industry?
I’d have to say my surfboard ‘career’ got started long before I ever got into surfing or making surfboards. My dad used to build and race boats when I was growing up. I’d help him the best I could as a young kid. We’d go to the factory where he’d build his hulls, and that’s where I go the first whiff of resin. As far as building surfboards, I basically ‘grew up’ in the back of the factory as Harbour Surfboards in Seal Beach. I started as a shop grom and learned it from the bottom up, leading into shaping.

2. What were the early years of your career like compared to now with you using the shaping machines and design programs? Early on, being at Harbour, I was exposed to the history of surfboard manufacturing from someone who was there through it all. We did all type of shaping. Of course hand-shaping, boards off the profile milling machine, and cnc shaped boards. I did all my own label Stamps, as hand-shapes, up until right after Clark Foam closed. After that I started the learning process of the CAD design software.

3. Why do you feel some might be critical of using a shaping program and machine to produce surfboards? Maybe they are threatened by something they don’t know or understand, I’m not sure. Many so called “shapers” just get stock rocker blanks, take them to thickness, foil the tips, put an outline on it, and round the rails and think they are really doing something. Maybe that’s shaping….

4. Why do you like using the programs and machine? I have total control over every aspect of the shape/design. I can repeat it if I want, or I can make minute, isolated changes.

5. Don’t you still have to know how to shape a board by hand and have general surfboard producing experience even with a machine? You don’t necessarily need to know how to shape a board by hand. I think it definitely helps to know shaping and design and surfing to get what you want. The boards still need to be finished off and tuned in by hand, so being an accomplished shaper is necessary to keep the quality and the integrity of the design intact.

6.  Who has been your biggest influence as a shaper? I’m influenced by every surfboard I see, good, bad, or otherwise. There are some really nice boards out there and some really bad ones too. Probably my biggest influence would have to be Harbour though, that’s where my craft was passed down.

7.  Who has been your biggest influence as a surfer? I first remember seeing photos of the Lopez era stuff when I was young, but as far as for me as a surfer…I’d have to go with Buttons, Matin Potter, Occy, Slater, and lately Dane Reynolds. Smooth, fast, and spontaneous.

8.  What do you think of the industry as it sits right now.  Good..the bad? The best of times the worst of times…..

9. What are your feelings towards the retro movement. Do you still see valid designs in some of the older board shapes? I think the whole ‘retro’ movement is/was great for surfboards as a whole. It opened up everyones (well most peoples) eyes to the validity of ‘other’ design and shapes in comparison the the ultra refined pro-shortboard. It all trickles down and now even the to pros are riding boards more suited to the conditions and free surfing a wider array of shapes.

10. When you do a retro board, do you like putting your own modern twist or do you attempt to shape them more true to what they were? I don’t shape ‘garage sale’ retro boards with my label. I’ll take a design and take it’s general idea and put all the modern conveniences in it. Function over fashion.

11. What do you think about all the fin box choices now?  Does it make it hard to choose which is best?  Any innovations? Fins boxes, that’s a loaded question…they all hold a fin to the bottom of the board. Some have adjustability, some don’t. Some are lighter than others. I think the best thing going with fins the precision of foils and templates available on a consistent basis.

12. With regards to four fins…we see some controversy with fin placement.  Why do you use the placement you use? My fin placement on my 4-fins is based on all boards I’ve made and ridden, the feed back from my team, and everyone who rides my boards. I ride a 4 fin about 99.8 percent of the time.

13. You seem to have other companies seeking out your talent over the years as a good go to shaper… from Harbour and now with Revolution and others? How did all of that come about? There are a few more in the mix as we speak…..i’d have to say it’s because of the quality, design, and performance of the boards I put out.

14. How important do you feel it is for a board builder to be a good surfer? I think it is ultra-important. In the past I think you could go much more on feedback, which we all have to do, but with everything being so refined today, you have to be out there feeling it for your self.

15. Do you see any new break through in design or materials at the moment.  Do you think tech will begin to play a more prominent role in the manufacture of surfboards. I see the ‘tech’ thing continuing on, but so far not much has changed for the better. We can make super strong boards, but they get stiff. The board designed around flex, are often too flexy and insistent. There are, however, better blanks available, the epoxies keep evolving, and new methods are weaving the fiberglass that might turn into something. I’m open to everything and have been constantly experimenting with every ‘new’ break through construction. It’s still hard to beat a poly-urethane blank and high quality fiberglass and resin.

16. What do you think about the internet with regards to selling surfboards and helping get your name out there? The internet is a great place. Maybe for us older folks it seems like a strange place, but it’s the future and it’s going on now. I still like to hold a magazine and know it will be there in the morning.

17. What is your current favorite surfboard?  Why? I’ve been into the shorter, wider performance boards a few years now. I like blending the elements of ‘fishy’ shapes with that of the high performance short board. They just work real good. Seems like the ‘in’ thing to ride now. Funny, I told one of my friends recently that he called me a kook ridng a ‘fun board’a couple of years ago. Now I’m a ‘copy cat’ that slater and dane(and every one else) are riding them. Funny !

18. What are your plans for the future? Where would you like to see yourself ten years from now with board building? My plans are to keep on doing what I’m doing now. Maybe I’ll get a ‘cool’ team rider’ by chance and have tons of orders or maybe not, but I’ll still be here making cutting edge designs to have fun riding waves with. I’m in this for the long haul.

19. How do you feel surfing and the industry has changed the last couple of years. The clothing industry based on what surfers are has gone boom and bust. The core surfer and shaper has pretty much, and will remain a constant.

20. How do you feel about Surfboard Blanks since the closing of Clark foam.  Has that turned out alright or has it presented some challenges? Right now blanks are better than ever. A nice balance of string and light with may good plugs to choose from. The first couple of years were a challenge for sure, but that’s the past and things are good now. Maybe it weeded out a few people along the way. Every forest needs a good fire now and then to keep it healthy in the long run

21. Give us a little background on how your skill with computers and programs.  Did you go to college for this? I went to Cal State Long Beach. After my degree, I got a certificate in computer cartography. I took all kinds of CAD classes. One of my professors worked at Boeing, and was on the design team for the 777. I always wondered why we could make boards this way. Well, I guess it’s finally caught up to our little cottage industry.

22. Why not the corporate world over building surfboards? No answer to that one…

23. Desert Island Question: Ginger, Mary Ann or your favorite surfboard? Isn’t that a Rusty model….i’ll take the shortest he makes and cut it down and make myself a nice little 5’8”…

24. Thanks for you time. Thanks for the opportunity to blabber a bit….

Photo of Tim holding fish shot by: Dana Morris