Wedge Boards

We've only recently started working with Luko of Wedge Boards from Barcelona, Spain, and we're stoked we've been able to feature him in this edition of our Shaper Stories.  

We sent Luko our Shaper Stories questions to find out a bit more about him and his boards...

Tell us where you’re from and where you’re based.

I was born in Argentina, and I've been living in Barcelona for 19 years.

What inspired your logo/brand name ?

The logo is based on a wave made of arches with a play on the typeface too.  It's in reference to a well-known spot and its unpredictable, strong wave.  What inspires me about this spot is that the people who surf it do so purely for the fun of it - confronting nature like this is a big personal challenge and requires dedication.  This is very representative of what surfing and shaping is for me.

Tell us a bit about how, when and why you got into shaping.

I started surfing at 14, and from the start I was fascinated by the boards, so I started my relationship with them repairing my own, and those of my friends - with lots of enthusiasm, but very little information!  At 18 I started studying industrial design and get more of a notion of materials, and how to model foams making prototypes of products - but I still wasn't able to get my hands on the precise information needed for board shaping.  3 years later I went to Hawaii, and there, just by chance, I got hold of the book Essential Surfing and everything changed.  I started dreaming of the possiblity of making my own boards, and it helped me a lot in terms of understanding more about the world of design, materials, techniques and specific tools for this art.  Always repairing boards with this idea in mind, 16 years ago I started actually shaping my first boards.

What kind of boards do you mostly shape?

I like shaping all sorts of boards, but I especially like shaping boards for more recreational surfing, that's where there's more space for creativity.  As a designer and a shaper, that's what I get the most enjoyment out of shaping.  Performance boards have such precise requirements that they all end up being very similar - they're always an interesting challenge at a technical level, but I don't find them as fun to shape.

What’s your preferred fin set up to a) shape and b) surf?

To shape, any fin set up is fun for me as the relationship between concaves and the position of the fins is always an interesting question.  To surf, I'd say single fins and quads are what I enjoy the most.

Best tip for the budding shaper?

I spend a lot of my time training shapers, so I spend my life giving technical advice.  On the edge of all the technicalities, I think the magic is always in simplicity - work with passion, at your own pace, keeping the excitement alive, and accepting mistakes as part of the learning process.  And lastly, remember it's always important to protect yourself and work in a safe environment.

What’s been the most memorable board you’ve ever shaped & why?

One I remember with particular fondness is a 14ft Olo (traditional Hawaiian board), made of wood, which Aritz Aramburu had to surf in an advert.  It was very special as it was a big challenge, I shaped it with a good friend, in record time, and it all came out perfectly.  When we saw him surfing it, we couldn't believe it - Aritz is capable of surfing whatever's put in front of him!

What's the bonus of using Macho Fins in your boards?

Fins are really important in surfing - without the right fins, a board doesn't have the same potential.  Being able to count on the advice and product of craftsmen who carry out their work with the same commitment and passion as the shaper is key in obtaining the best final product.  Macho Fins have an incredible quality and friendly, quick service.  They have a good range of models to choose from, and the fins are made by craftsmen of our country!

Thanks Luko!  And you can check out Wedge Boards on their Instagram, Facebook and website.

This interview has been translated from Spanish.