Surfboard shaping is an art form
NOAH SURF
“I was raised on the beach, and it was the center of our universe. From hot summer days to brisk winter walks, the beach provided a backdrop and an escape that was always within reach. It was almost inevitable that surfing would make its way into my life. It was just as inevitable that Noah would eventually start offering surfboards and surfing gear.”
“The opening of our Amagansett store provided the perfect location to feature our first collection of custom-shaped surfboards, as well as wetsuits, leashes, and wax–all the essentials needed to get in the water. It’s a bit of a dream come true for me to find my way back to the business that got me here.
Working at a surf and skate shop is what led me to eventually go into design, but it also had another, perhaps more profound, impact. Rick, my boss and the owner of the shop, was the first person who got me thinking about how businesses could choose to operate in ways that considered the environment. I didn’t know it then, but those conversations would stay with me forever.
Over the coming seasons, we’ll continue to feature shapers whose work we respect and admire to bring highly curated collections of handmade surfboards with quality graphics to our local surfing community. Surfboard shaping is an art form, and we’re proud to work with those who’ve committed their lives to learning such a difficult and under-recognized skill. Our first batch of boards comes from Jordan Brazie, whom I’d like to formally thank for working with us.”
-Brendon Babenzien
NOAH is a brand I’ve long had a crush on, just search the site and you’ll see the posts we’ve done. This foray into surf wasn’t a surprise, was more of wondering when more then if, it would happen. It’s definitely not surf as you see in the retailers, it’s more surf seen through the eyes of Brendon (who by all reports rips in the water).
To come out with such a heavy focus on boards shows the importance of surf hardware to the surfing culture, something that’s been highlighted in the last 12 months during the pandemic (last I heard some surf brands were up 300% or more in hardware sales, love it!). The clothing offering feels like a mash up of yesteryear and today, which feels like a nice balance. Leaves me with a level of excitement to see where NOAH SURF will take it moving forward – they have noted they will be partnering with a shapers each season, which will be neat to see.
For now though, you can get NOAH SURF over at NOAH – the entire collection drops on the 1st April, ideally it’s not an April Fools collection that leaves me hanging in the wind…
