The Paul Surf Workshop
Learn how to build your own custom surfboard
In this one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive workshop, join Paul in his Rockaway studio, and learn how he meticulously hand-shapes and glasses his traditionally crafted surfboards.
You will have the unique opportunity to work on your own custom surfboard as Paul walks you through your board’s entire build process; handshaping, glassing, sanding, finishing, and all the techniques he has honed over his decade-long pursuit of the art form through Paul Surf.
Over the course of two consecutive weekends, immerse yourself in a board-building and
(wave-dependent) surfing experience unlike any other.
*Enrollment limited to 4 people total
WHERE : The Paul Surf Studio @ Marina 59, Rockaway Beach, New York
WHEN : Two consecutive weekends - Nov. 4 + 5, 11 + 12, 2023
ALL-INCLUSIVE* PRICE : Shortboard $5,000, Midlength $5,500, Longboard $6,000
WHO CAN SIGN UP : Anyone! No experience with power or hand tools required.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED : Long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes. If you don’t have a mask and safety glasses, we can provide you with a 3M Rugged Comfort Quick Latch mask, with both P100 particulate filters and 6001 vapor filters, safety glasses, and canner gloves for an additional $100 (you can take these home with you).
*includes (1) custom surfboard with (1) color and (1) cutlap, (3) days of board-building intensive, (1) day of shooting and surfing, a professional photo package, (3) lunches and (1) dinner
Workshop attendee TIffer learning how to shape on his own surfboard
Day 1: Saturday (November 4th 2023)
9am - 5pm
SHAPE
Learn every step of the complicated shaping process; from making a template, to cutting an outline and using an electric planer to create a timeless, highly functional and coherent hydrodynamic shape.
A practice lamination to get a firsthand feel of the the viscosity of resin
Day 2: Sunday (November 5th 2023)
9am - 5pm
GLASS
Learn Paul’s unique chemistry calculations and proven lamination techniques, hand-mix your own complex color tint using only primary colors, practice a lamination of your own, and watch as your boards get laminated with your custom color.
Workshop attendee Jay straight-sanding his own longboard
Day 3: Saturday (November 11th 2023)
9am - 5pm
FINISH
Learn to finish a board like a professional; how to remove the resin bead after a hot coat, how to sand for gloss, avoid burning the glass, and how to achieve a beautiful, straight-line matte finish.
Workshop attendee Tiffer runs out to join the others for a test surf on his brand new surfboard
Day 4: Saturday (November 12th 2023)
TBD wave-dependent
SURF
Pick up your newly completed surfboards at the studio! Weather and swell permitting, we will surf together and photograph you with your board, before we end our time together.