(Photo: Laurent Chantegros)
I LOVE shaping surfboards and I'm kinda obsessed with this craft. Even though I am about to shape my 243th board I'm still considering myself as a novice but I hope to become a master one day... This blog is a virtual portfolio and a diary of my journey in the shaping world. Feel free to leave comments or contact me directly at valerie@meremadesurfboards.com.

Valerie Duprat
-Shaper of Mère-Made Surfboards

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

New Year's statistics (2016)

What a year for Mere-Made surfboards !!!

Probably the most successful so far.

Even though the number of boards decreased compared to last year, I can't be more proud of 2016 production! A total of 36 boards which is a bit less than last year due to the extra time spent on artworks which have became more and more complex lately. That also means I am maxing out my hobby production (i.e., I can't work more than that unless I quit my day time/full  time job :))


Like in the previous years, shortboards is what I do most, followed by longboards and funboards. I am also very excited to have shaped my first kiteboard too!


This following stat I am particularly happy about: compared to last year, there is a 20% increase of the number of boards shaped for female riders which almost reaches the male rider orders! Yay!


Geographically, my boards are localized mainly in California since I don't ship (customers have to do the pick-up in Encinitas). But I managed to shape some boards in France while vacationing and one recently during my training in Maui.


Social media exposure has been great in 2016. I have to say that opening an Instagram account helped getting more attention worldwide. Part of that success came from the 12 boards published  by Boardporn, the biggest surfboard account on Instagram! (Thank you Ron!)



In addition I also got three paper publications in surf magazines including Surf Session (France) and Surfgirl (UK) which were illustrated by my loyal friend and amazing photographer Laurent Chantegros.

Surf Session "Mademoiselle" 2016

Surfgirl 2016 
Talking about exposure, I partnered again with my surf gear sponsor Howzit and Mere-Made got featured in the 2017 catalog/campaign as well as poster display in they booth (photos by Corey Walter and Laurent Chantegros).



Also this year I got to shape at Swop Surfboards and ND Surf (both located in France) and I recently had the chance to do an intense shaping training in Maui with Matt Kinoshita at Kazuma Surfboards. All those experiences are priceless and definitely make my 2017 year very exciting with the new skills I am developing...












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