(English Version)
Jon, we heard that the board John John rode in Brasil was made in Portugal, how did that work?
We had just worked on a brand new board for JJ that he took to Trestles to try, and it turned out to be something that he really liked a lot. He made it to the Semis in that contest riding it, and I could see that it was working really good for him. It was the first board of that design that I made, so I wanted him to have a back-up in case he broke it. I was in Portugal at Polen and Alvaro told me to make him 2 more like it, and he would have his friend bring it down to Brazil and get it to JJ. I shaped a couple new ones, and the team at Polen worked hard to get it finished up and on to the plane to Brazil in just 2 days. In Brazil Ricardo Martins got the boards and brought them to JJ at his hotel in Rio. The next thing we saw was JJ riding one of the new boards in the Billabong contest, and he ended up liking it even more than the first one I made him. And he ended up just blowing up and winning the whole thing!
That kind of help, from all the people at Polen, and Ricard Martins, that all made it possible for JJ to feel really confidant and know that he had a great board under his feet in his heats, and another one on the beach for back-up! That is what it takes to be a champion.
We had just worked on a brand new board for JJ that he took to Trestles to try, and it turned out to be something that he really liked a lot. He made it to the Semis in that contest riding it, and I could see that it was working really good for him. It was the first board of that design that I made, so I wanted him to have a back-up in case he broke it. I was in Portugal at Polen and Alvaro told me to make him 2 more like it, and he would have his friend bring it down to Brazil and get it to JJ. I shaped a couple new ones, and the team at Polen worked hard to get it finished up and on to the plane to Brazil in just 2 days. In Brazil Ricardo Martins got the boards and brought them to JJ at his hotel in Rio. The next thing we saw was JJ riding one of the new boards in the Billabong contest, and he ended up liking it even more than the first one I made him. And he ended up just blowing up and winning the whole thing!
That kind of help, from all the people at Polen, and Ricard Martins, that all made it possible for JJ to feel really confidant and know that he had a great board under his feet in his heats, and another one on the beach for back-up! That is what it takes to be a champion.
You’ve been working with John John for a long time, did you expect this?
To be honest, yes. If you had seen the boy surf all his life, the way we have here in Hawaii, then you would believe that all the stuff happening now was going to be happening for sure. I think that I have believed this would happen since he was about 10 years old. I have done everything that I can to help him on his road, and I have enjoyed all of it.
To be honest, yes. If you had seen the boy surf all his life, the way we have here in Hawaii, then you would believe that all the stuff happening now was going to be happening for sure. I think that I have believed this would happen since he was about 10 years old. I have done everything that I can to help him on his road, and I have enjoyed all of it.
What type of board does JJ ride the most?
His favorite shortboard has been our model, The Flash, but now I think he is really liking the new board we came up with (we don't even have a name for it yet), and he also really likes this stubby board we make called The Slab. He helped to give me ideas for the Slab and the new board, telling me what he wanted the boards to do and giving me feedback.
His favorite shortboard has been our model, The Flash, but now I think he is really liking the new board we came up with (we don't even have a name for it yet), and he also really likes this stubby board we make called The Slab. He helped to give me ideas for the Slab and the new board, telling me what he wanted the boards to do and giving me feedback.
Very few surfers on this level work with only one shaper, what makes this case so different?
He does try other guys boards too, and I think that is a good thing for us both, because it gives him ideas to bring to me, and it also gives him confidence in my shaping by seeing that his boards are working well. He knows that I am here to support him, and that I want to see him do well all the time. I work hard to make sure his boards are working good for him, and I am always in contact with him to keep things going in the right direction.
He does try other guys boards too, and I think that is a good thing for us both, because it gives him ideas to bring to me, and it also gives him confidence in my shaping by seeing that his boards are working well. He knows that I am here to support him, and that I want to see him do well all the time. I work hard to make sure his boards are working good for him, and I am always in contact with him to keep things going in the right direction.
You were in Portugal recently, how was your stay?
I go to Portugal to work at Polen at least 2 times per year, and it is always great! I love your country, the people, the wine, and the waves! It feels like a second home to me.
I go to Portugal to work at Polen at least 2 times per year, and it is always great! I love your country, the people, the wine, and the waves! It feels like a second home to me.
Can you tell us a little bit about the more recent models you’ve been working on?
I have been making a lot of shorter, wider boards that still surf like a good shortboard, but give you more speed and glide in weaker conditions. The Slab, The PyzAlien, The Rip Off and the Runt are a few examples of this style of board. It's nice that these boards work well for all levels of surfer, not just Pros.
I have been making a lot of shorter, wider boards that still surf like a good shortboard, but give you more speed and glide in weaker conditions. The Slab, The PyzAlien, The Rip Off and the Runt are a few examples of this style of board. It's nice that these boards work well for all levels of surfer, not just Pros.
In your opinion is shaping right going in one specific new direction or is it more about refining what has been done?
I feel like the door is open for all different types of boards, including the refinement of high-performance shortboards. People are more open-minded and willing to try new designs- and this is really fun for me as a shaper, to not be stuck making the same thing over and over again.
I feel like the door is open for all different types of boards, including the refinement of high-performance shortboards. People are more open-minded and willing to try new designs- and this is really fun for me as a shaper, to not be stuck making the same thing over and over again.
What’s next for Pyzel Surfboards?
We are just looking forward to seeing how JJ does this year- I think he has some good results ahead of him still. And I will be working on new designs to keep people stoked on getting in the ocean! Thanks for taking your time to read this and enjoy yourself in the water!!!
We are just looking forward to seeing how JJ does this year- I think he has some good results ahead of him still. And I will be working on new designs to keep people stoked on getting in the ocean! Thanks for taking your time to read this and enjoy yourself in the water!!!
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