Kitesoul Magazine #2 English Edition

KS_How long does it take to build a surfboard?JA_It usually takes three weeks from my first dialoguewith my customer to the delivery of their new surfboard.KS_We’d like to learn something about the manufactureof a surfboard...what are the criteria to beused, as appropriate? We could image, for example,the various waves conditions, the wave riding styleand the weight of kiters...JA_When working with a customer I like to get as muchinformation as possible like physical size, wind andwave conditions, likes and dislikes, previous experienceson other boards. The more information I can gatherthe more I can visualize what I will design for them. Overthe 30 years or so of designing and shaping customboards, I have the experience to apply to any given customer.For example: A 110 kilo guy who rides in lighterwind e-mails me telling me he cannot find a board thatworks for him. Instantly I think about all the roughly 110kilo guys I have built boards for, I can start with thedesigns we made in the past and directly transfer thatexperience to my new 110k customer.KS_What kind of “shape” is John’s life going to take?What about your family, your friends...JA_I have custom designed and shaped my life to whereI am today. I am very happy. It has taken allot of workto get here and takes allot to keep it. I have made bad