Monster Surfboards

We met Edu of Monster Surfboards many moons ago at the start of our fin making journey.  His quality handshaped boards are well known across the north of Spain and further afield for their innovative design ideas.  His trademark mottled pattern in his boards is unique, and something we've been working on with him to transfer to some unique fins too - #watchthisspace!

We sent Edu our Shaper Stories questions to find out a bit more about him and his boards...

Tell us where you're from and where you're based.

I'm North Coast of Spain, born and raised!  I've covered the full length of the north coast in my time, from west to east and back.  Currently I'm crafting back at home in Asturias.

What inspired your logo/brand name?

Good question.  My former partner came up with the name, and we started playing around with different approaches to the logo issue.  In the end, it was a friend of mine, who knows me better than myself, who had the final idea and showed me the path to follow!

Tell us a bit about how, when and why you got into shaping.

Back in my university days, around 2003/2004 or so, we found the idea quite appealing.   Let's say we both tried to get into alt-shapes in an era when it was nearly impossible to get a custom twinnie.  At least nothing but a fat, flat piece of shapeless shape.  We were both into fine arts too, so I guess we were half way there in that sense too.  Or that was what we thought - you know the less you know, the more you think you're master of.

What kind of boards do you mostly shape?

Currently, I'm super into twins.  I've just found them the most natural way to approach surfing.  The perfect mid point between speed and control.  Over the last few years I've tried to get a certain level of expertise on a couple of single fin shapes, one proper longboard, a midlength and tried to cover a full range of twins, from a short wide-tailed one for speed, through to a drivey but still short one, to a large channelled one with tons of hold.  From hip height to overhead.

What's your preferred fin set up to a) shape and b) surf?

My first shape was a 5.7 twin and it's still the craft I most enjoy shaping.  And to surf, I know it's super trendy these days, but I shaped myself a 6.8 channeled twin which is so much fun on point breaks.

Best tip for the budding shaper?

Don't move forward until you've got each stage sorted.  You can't build a decent house on bad foundations.

What's been the most memorable board you've shaped and why?

I know this for sure.  The 8.8 midlength I shaped for Mr Jorge Hunt [Macho Fins Family Member].  Not for the resin job itself, but for the huge amount of work needed to draw a clean and functional shape.  It's not every time that digging into a new concept pays off first time (for me single fin longboards are not the shapes I understand best).  But this did - it worked.

What's the bonus of using Macho Fins in your boards?

I find a key aspect is the way I can order specific custom details to match my projects, plus the accuracy and reliability you get on every single one of the fins.  Far beyond any other fins I've ever held in my hands.

Thanks Edu!  And you can check out Monster Surfboards on their Instagram.