Shaper Profile – Rickland Surfboards

RICH LANDERER “RICKLAND” A Peru native, Rich grew up in Florida and moved to California in 1997 which sparked his shaping interest. Rich has developed into one of California’s premier shapers with a unique personal touch that is felt in each of his shapes. Rich has worked under some of the most prominent shapers in the industry. Rich does all the artwork for Rickland. He is recognized for his personal style and creative mind that is unleashed in the paint pen and stencil designs on his shapes. Customizing your own ideas onto your surfboard, either art or shape designs, Rickland is proud of his personal approach to each surfer. The following Master shapers truly influenced his practice and here is what he says about them:

“George Gall, owner at Plus One surfboards, helped me to refine my shaping skills.”

“Bill Riedel, owner of Stretch surfboards, inspired and motivated me to never give up.”

“Rusty Preisendorfer, owner of Rusty surfboards, who taught me in just 10 minutes things that took me over ten years to understand.”

“Wayo Whilar, owner of Wayo Whilar surfboards is considered the Al Merrick of Peru and taught me you should always remain humble.”

“John “JC” Carper, owner at JC Hawaii surfboards, a great friend who has been helping me to take my surfboards to a different level and to truly understand the art of designing surfboards.

“Cordell Miller, Owner at Cordell surfboards, inspired me to keep surfing, test my own designs and keep smiling so that I’m always happy!”

Rich further explains, “Professional surfers around the world have shown me how to look at surfboards in a different way. I thank my loyal customers and team riders for their feedback and support. Surfing, shaping, and art are my passion and a large part of my life along with my family and friends. I take great pride in my work and I’m always looking for new ideas to incorporate and try out. I strive for perfection and emulate that in my work. The outcome is a surfboard that responds to your personal style with a feel that cannot be matched.”

NCS: How and when did you start shaping surfboards?
Rickland: The first board I shaped on my own was 1997, in California.I was an amateur surfer aspiring to become pro someday, but due to my neck injury I wasn’t able to continue. I ended up switching careers and chose the right one. I remember living in an apartment with a carport, which I shared with another tenant. This guy’s car was black, so the next morning it looked like it just got back from the snow and the tenants were pissed! The board came out really good, I was surprised and from there I kept on shaping more boards for myself and friends.

NCS: At what point did you decide to make a career as a shaper?
Rickland: Back in 1997, I was making boards for friends and basically just charge them for materials. When I finally had shaped 1000 boards in 2004, I decided to actually make a living. I have shaped approximately 4000 boards to date.

NCS: What is your favorite aspect of shaping? How about you’re least favorite?
Rickland: I love shaping high performance surfboards, but lately I have been shaping small boards. I mean like 4 to 8” shorter than your standard surfboards. They’re just way easier to man handle, hah! My least favorite aspect of shaping will be longboards. I mean, I can shape you one, but I really don’t get one under my feet so often so I hate to shape and sell something my team and I don’t try. I’m working on a model though, that will replace and shortened your 9’ longboard to just about the same size as your regular shortie. You will be able to smack the lip like you would normally do on a standard shortboard and also nose ride it like a longboard. It will be released in our next catalog.

NCS: Whos have you shaped and who are you currently shaping for?
Rickland: Lots of pros like Sunny Garcia, Brett Simpson, Jamie O’Brien, Salvador Voysest, Pat Bollinger, Jeremy Berger, Gabriel Aramburu, Ross Williams, Josh Vanderwaall and of course all my loyal customers.  I have been working with Kaikea Elias “Surfing America’s 2006 US Champion”; 15 year old goofy foot from Kauai. He’s an outgoing, enthusiastic and humble kid. He’s extremely talented in the water and known throughout the islands for his charging attitude in larger surf, barrel riding abilities, aerials and years of tow-in experience.  The last two winters Kaikea has spent the season living on the beach at Pipe with Jamie O’Brien whom he considers a big brother. Here some of his accomplishments: -KGMB News’ First “Superkid” since the 1980’s (Was televised) -Jr. Lifeguard Island champion in 3 divisions (2009 Kauai) -Jr. Lifeguard State Championships 2009 Finalist in 3 divisions including Paddleboard Team (1^st place) -NSSA Nationals- Past finalist and 2 time runner-up Middle  School Team (2005, 2007 and 2008) -Producer, Director, Editor and Star of video segments aired on Kauai’s own Foundation Future for Youth TV show (since age 10) – Environmentalist who sat on a panel of experts at the State capitol to share his video and testified in front of 500 people. Kaikea and I clicked right away. I call him my little bro! In fact Kaikea’s family consider a “hanai son”, which means “adopted in” We’re going to be working together on Kaikea’s signature models for our next year’s catalog. Besides the rest of my talented team guys, I’m really putting most of my efforts toward Kai. Keep and eye on him because he’s the next super grom star!!

NCS: Is there a specific shape that sells really well?
Rickland: Right now all my shapes sell well even though the economy is bad, but from all of them I’d say the bandit and the torpedo sell the most. These models replace your standard shortie at any time on waves from ankle slappers to 6ft solid punchy surf. Last month, 80% of all my custom orders where placed for the bandit model. Basically you ride it 6 to 8” shorter, 1 to 1.5 wider and 1/8” thicker thank your standard shortboard. A single to double concave to vee throughout the tail. Full outline with double wings and rounded tail. Super fun and responsive. Here’s Jamie O’Brien in an article on Transworld. He’s on a 5’7 Bandit at Puerto Escondido. http://surf.transworld.net/1000103313/photos/tubos-grandes-with-job-and-amigos/

NCS: Any new materials?
Rickland: Recently I have been trying to come up with my own technology. I’m incorporating, PVC stringer for all our epoxy boards, for more flex. Also, we are using Fiber flex technology, which it consists in a EPS stringer less Marko foam with Carbon fiber rails and glassed with epoxy resin from Australia. The board flexes and responds well! Our poly boards haven’t changed much besides the quality of course. My crew at Pureglass does the best job. They’re by far the best glassers in California! I’m always looking for innovation to help me make the best boards out there.

NCS: How long does it take you to shape a board?
Rickland: Depending whether I’m hand shaping it or out of our CNC. I don’t hand shape anymore unless I’m trying a new model, working with a pro or just feeling the urge to get my hands on my skill planer. Boards from the CNC, take me about 30 to 40 minutes, but if John Carper aka JC, happens to walk by my shaping bay, I end up taking a few hours because we just can’t stop talking about designs and stuff, hah!

NCS: Does your team influence your shapes and how about magic boards?
Rickland: Absolutely! Without our close communication between them and me, the boards wouldn’t perform and get better every year. We work together and try to improve my designs. I love to get negative feedback more than positive because it pushes me to make better boards for you guys. As far as magic boards, I believe it’s just a board that came out wong. I mean, the fin placement was screwed up when the board was getting glassed or the lamination process end up bending the board in a certain way or it just happened to be the right board for the right wave. You can scan it and that board will not ride the same as the original, but pretty close. I just try to make all my boards to work and perform well.

NCS: Noticed that you also do the artwork… how did that come about?
Rickland: Yeah, I used to draw cartoons since I was like 8 years old. I would turn in homework in school with designs and stuff and always ended up in trouble. I love having some sort of color or design on my deck because it amps and psyches me up when I surf. I like share the same feeling with everyone who rides my boards. I can draw anything you want, but I like in particular abstracts and skulls.

[SinglePic not found]NCS: Who’s carrying your boards?
Rickland:  I stopped selling through surf shops in 2006 when I moved back to So-Cal. Nowadays, I have distributors in Japan, Peru, Hawaii, California and I’m working to on getting few more on the east coast and Europe. Don’t get me wrong, having the surf shops selling and promoting your brand is great too. I’m also re-opening accounts with some shops.

NCS: Is there anyone that you would like to thank?
Rickland: I like to thanks everyone who’s supported me for the past 13 years and to those who still out there for me. Also to my wife, kids, Bryce, AY, Jeff Marshall, Guss, Sal, JC, Big Jim and the Pureglass crew, Jonel aka MA, Animal Watches, Kat and Mike, Futures fins, Toby Odgen, Doug aguillard,and all my loyal customers and riders. If I didn’t mention your name please, forgive me, but I have a list with hundreds of people that I would give thanks. I like to thank you Arun as well for giving me this interview. Rich Landerer aka Rickland Ricklandsurfboards.com