Keoki Interview:
HEAVYWATER July/August 2005
How long have you been shaping?
I shaped my first board about 12 years ago.

How did you get into shaping?
My father used to shape with his brothers back in the day. I thought I could make a better surfboard than the one I was riding at the time so I asked him to teach me how to shape a board. Along the way I've learned from a variety of shapers - one a shortboard specialist, an old school California shaper from the 60s, a north shore gun specialist, a longboard only shaper, and a few others. I've developed my own style over the years, and have made an effort to remain open minded and be very critical of my own work. I'm still constantly thinking about how to make each board better than the previous shape.

What does shaping and surfing mean to you?
Well, I've always had this obsession with the relationship between humans and the ocean. I grew up in the ocean fishing, sailing, diving, sailing...I was pretty much always in the ocean when I had free time. I majored in marine science in college and did some marine biology research work for a while. I've also worked for the Polynesian Voyaging Society. Shaping surfboards, for me, is in part a continuing study on how humans interact with the ocean's wave energy. I view the surfboard as a medium through which the surfer is allowed to interacts with the ocean. It is this idea of creating such a medium that got me hooked into surfboard shaping.

What is more rewarding shaping or surfing?
To me they're equally rewarding. When I surf I get to experience the rhythm of the ocean. It's important to my mental and physical health and it's a way of life. Shaping is important to me because it's the realization of this creative passion I have for surfboards. For me shaping surfboards is a continuing study of one way that people interact creatively with the ocean. As much as one would say a doctor practices medicine, I would like to say that I practice surfboards.

So you're Keoki Ching MD?
(Laughs) People come to me with specific needs or problems (with their surfing) and in a way I make a diagnosis and prescribe a remedy. I'm very passionate about my work and it is extremely rewarding when one of my surfboard clients tells me that this surfboard has helped me grow and progress as a surfer or this is the best surfboard I have ever ridden.

Tell us about your boards.
I only use top quality glass and the highest grade resin, our boards are extremely reasonable in price. My glassers use a D-Size cloth which is approximately 30-40% stronger than the industry standard warp and e-cloth. This creates a stronger and longer lasting surfboard. The use of higher grade UV catalyzed resins on our boards further increases strength and resists sun damage. We have smaller profit margins because of this, but we definitely have more confidence that we are delivering a superior quality product to the customer.

Whats the most important aspect of a surfboard's shape? I don't believe that any one element can stand alone. All surfboards are full of transitions and combinations that must ultimately flow smoothly through it. However, I do believe in the importance of subtle adjustments in elements to create a completely different character in a surfboard.

Whats the most important factor to consider when ordering a custom board?
One of the most important things a person should know before they order a surfboard is the shaper's philosophy on board design. The ultimate goal of the surfer is to have the ultimate surfboard shaped for his or her particular style, surf spot, height, weight, ability, etc. Some shapers will have the philosophy that this is the best board for you, and you must change your style to fit the board. I'd like to believe that there is no standard to which surfers must adjust, and that it is the shaper's responsibility to adjust his or her shapes to best fit the individual surfer's needs.

The most popular shape or board type?
Lately I've been getting requests for boards that are thicker and fuller volume. I think as the lineups are getting more and more crowded, the surfers are looking for a paddling advantage. Higher volume boards are also more popular for slower, sloppier waves, allowing a surfer to take advantage of crappy surf conditions.

Any current projects you'd like to talk about?
I've recently have been working with the Bishop Museum on the development of a surfing history lesson through surfboard design. I'll sometimes walk the students through a lot of the old surfboards in the Bishop Museum and point out design points on the ancient surfboards from a modern shaper's perspective. What people don't know is that the old Hawaiian surfboards share a lot of design characteristics with modern day surfboards. One might say that from a design perspective, the ancient surfboards were ahead of their time.

Recent boards?
While working at the bishop museum, I've come into contact with a lot of the old surfboards. I'm really one who believes that we need to understand the past in order to progress with knowledge and respect - more recently this is what has motivated me to work a lot on a variety of retro models. On many I've stayed true to the old shapes, but have added a few modern aspects here and there to help with the rip-ability factor. I have a lot of thoughts that I would like to put into foam, it's just difficult to find the time to do so.

Team riders focus?
My main focus at the moment is Kainoa Mcgee. He is by far one of the larger surfers in the line up at 6 foot 2 inches and over 200 pounds. It takes a very refined board to accommodate his powerful and versatile style. He's a madman at second reef pipe and is always ripping smaller town tons of passion. Kainoa has more recently acquired the taste for busting airs in smaller wavesc a rather disturbing thought to think about some guy that big flying over you in the lineup. From a shaper's perspective, it's a disturbing thought to have to create something that is going to provide enough speed and release to send someone that large into the air on a smaller day - the reason being that it is not just a matter of scaling up the board for a larger person. We've developed a few boards for his air-board arsenal that are scaring a few in the lineup lately.

Favorite Surfers?
I admire the surfer who is the happiest during crappy surfing conditions and the best surfing conditions.

Where can we purchase one of your boards?
Stock and custom ordered surfboards are available at Surfahaus, Turbo Surf, Kimos Surf Hut, the ButiGroove store, and Quiksilver Waikiki.