Shaper: Mr. Dick Van Straalen

Who is Dick Van Straalen?

A 68 year old married male

How did you get into shaping?

I was always doing something with my hands

When did you shape your first board?

1956

Where do you get inspiration? Both design and shaping?

The sea, the land, the wind, the moon the sun, and just good design

Favourite board you’ve shaped?

The one I am doing now, then it will be the one I’ll do tomorrow

Who influences you and your craft?

The magic presence

Favourite food

Good stuff

Best wave you’ve ever ridden

The one in my mind

How’ was surf in the 70′s?

Not so crowded

What do you think about progression? Some people think surfboard design is slow to progress. What are you doing to progress design?

Change happens every day

What advice would you give for people looking for the right surfboard?

Don’t listen to your friends go by instinct

What’s the best way to identify the gap between a customer’s wants and true needs?

Listen to what they have to say

What does the future hold for Dick Van Straalen?

Lots of sex, drugs and classical music  ha ha ha

 

Pictures were taken by the AMAZING Victoria Aguirre. Graphic design: Sinai Mejias (me)

Special thanks to Victoria Aguirre, for being such a GREAT photographer, artist and friend! And thank you Mr. Dick Van Straalen for being part of my blog!

love♥

holaparasiempre