A surfboard being shaped inside the Whitburn Studio workshop.

Shape your own surfboard.

Spend a day in the workshop with James and shape a board you'll actually surf. No experience needed.

A one-to-one surfboard shaping day in Hampshire.

This is a one-to-one surfboard shaping day at Whitburn Studio for anyone who wants to understand how a board is made. The session is tailored to the board you want to ride, the waves you surf and how hands-on you want to be. James guides the shaping, then handles the glassing and finish work before collection.

A board being shaped on the workshop stand.

Shape the blank with James beside you.

Performance shortboards, grovellers, longboards, gliders and other shapes are possible. The size and shape can be agreed before the session, based on what you want to make.

Design and theory

Discuss volume, rocker, rails, fin set-up, and why different boards suit different waves.

Materials and tools

Handle the shaping tools and understand how small adjustments change the finished board.

Outline and contours

Shape thickness, width, foil, outline, rails and contours with workshop guidance.

Fin options and finish

Review fin options, placement and finishing choices before James handles the glassing and finish work.

James holding a freshly shaped surfboard outside the workshop.

It is made to be surfed.

After the shaping day, James glasses and finishes the board to the agreed spec. When it is ready, you collect it from the workshop or arrange courier delivery.

From £1,000.

The shaping experience starts at £1,000, including the one-to-one workshop day, board materials, glassing and finish work. Self-contained accommodation may be available at a quiet rural farm setting for an additional cost.

From a shaping day.

“I have just picked up my 7' Retro single fin which I shaped with James on his build your own course the other week! What a day that was and what an awesome board! I've always wanted to shape my own board and I'm a big fan of the old style boards from the 70s. Armed with only a photo of the style of board I wanted, James managed to track down the template of the exact board I wanted and we set to work. James is a Master of his craft and his attention to detail and patience is second to none. As if I hadn't given James a hard enough job already, I wanted some Snowdrops inlaid on the base of the board in memory of my Grandmother who recently passed away...not an issue for James! The finished board is simply stunning and the experience from start to finish is something that will remain in my memory for ever...Thank you James! Now to get her in the water!”

Jay N

“I did a build your own board day with James. By far the best experience I've had with any shaper! James was so knowledgeable and friendly and was great at guiding me through the different stages of the build and helping me rectify when I cocked up. James is a true artisan craftsman, perfect hand shaped surfboards of any size and shape. Will 100% be making another surfboard with him, when my better half allows me too! Would 1000% recommend!!!”

James B

“I was bought the Whitburn Surfboards board shaping experience as a birthday present and what a present it was! The whole experience from start to finish was exceptional! Having had an in depth discussion on what I was hoping to shape and how to do it I was guided through the process and techniques of board shaping with patience and skill. 10/10 would recommend this experience to anyone who wants to learn how to shape boards in a supportive and wholesome environment. There's also one hell of a cute dog at the site.”

Max

FAQs

Ask about availability.

Tell James what sort of board you would love to make, how hands-on you want to be, and the dates that would work for you. He will come back with the next available shaping day.