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If the door’s locked, better luck next time. If you hear the sander going, do not disturb. If it’s silent and unlocked, you might just be able to chat with our in-house shaper (and the ever elusive) Ed Barbera.
He leaves a trail of polyurethane foam when he drops us off a new board, walking barefoot from his shed in the back through our always open shop door. In fact, he pretty much leaves a little trail of foam everywhere he goes, his white hair similarly but barely distinguishably covered in sanded down bits.
Tucked behind our original Northern Light shop in Bodega is Ed’s shed, a rustic red barn from which his infamous boards appear. And what drew him into the business of shaping over 40 years ago is likely what keeps him around: an urge to add value to people’s lives coupled with an equally strong desire to, well, close the door to his workspace and produce something one-of-a-kind.
And that’s where Barbera’s shaping technique comes in—because let’s be honest, not all boards are created equal. And that’s because not all shapers are…
The vast majority of boards made these days are at least preliminarily shaped by machine, but Barbera sticks to his roots, shaping each and every board by hand from start to finish (with extra love, of course). The result: uniquely impressive boards that pretty much exceed expectations all the time and every time.
“It’s a weird thing: sometimes when you’re surfing, you feel something,” says Barbera. “And that’s the thing that I feel is missing with the machine is that, you know, you can make changes on a machine. But you’re not intimately involved in making that board and all the steps of that board.”
The pain-staking process of hand-shaping seems a tall price to pay for a little intimacy, but for Barbera, it’s not just the cherished process that is missing in machine-shaped boards. It’s also the ingenuity. For him, the introduction of machine-shaping has resulted in a sort of stagnancy when it comes to board design. But despite his relative dislike for machines, Barbera is far from smug and nostalgic; after all, he thinks we’re living in the Age of Surf.
“This is the best time of surfing since I’ve been alive,” says Barbera. “The best surfing’s being done. The best things are happening.”
For Barbera, though, the future of surfing and board shaping remains uncertain. After all, surfing is all about continuing to push the boundaries, to dream, design, and create changes—things that he believes can’t be effectively done by a machine.
While he might have some doubts about the future, he seems to have come to terms with his place in it all.
“I realized…your boards are all over the place, boards that people don’t even know that you made,” says Barbera. “You’re bringing happiness and joy…You’ve done something that really brings value to people’s lives.”
Kevin Oshiro says...
Howzit Ed, did your lams and surfed on your magic boards in the 80’s. I hope you’re doing well my friend. Kev
On Aug 10, 2023
John Silberstein says...
Must’ve had at least 30 boards shaped by Ed Barbera back in the day still have a couple under my house I even got Ed in the Lifeguard department for a spell great guy always very unique really miss the days of driving out to Sunset and checking him out and his little shack
On Nov 08, 2022
jDuB says...
You are, and forever will be, appreciated.
On Oct 27, 2022
jDuB says...
You are, and forever will be, appreciated.
On Oct 27, 2022
Keith Novakowski says...
I have a board you shaped, for Blue Hawaii. I was in a Hawaii for my 30th birthday 1989. I wanted a surfboard from Hawaii, as my gift. I searched, and ended up at the Blue Hawaii corner shop in Honolulu. And purchased your board, with a BH logo leash.
Because it felt right.
This is a 7” small squash tail, thruster gun.
Serial # 158-892863-5. 7”.0 x19” x2 3/4. This is totally in mint condition, totally looks like showroom still. With the BH logo leash and Proline travel bag. I have kept it out of all sunlight, and cherished it, all these years.
I was just in the process of contacting Glen Minami, as to the history of this board, and came across your site, as I couldn’t find you as the shaper, till now.
This board is mint, translucent green BH logo tri fin.
I would appreciate a reply, and I can follow up with pics.
Keith Novakowski, Lethbridge, Alberta.
On Aug 18, 2021
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On May 24, 2021
Chris Bane says...
Had many boards shaped by Ed back on Oahu before and after Blue Hawaii. I still have a 9’6", 7’0" and 6’6" I ride from time to time. They all still work great. EVen if they look aged/yellowed.
I trusted you implicitly wth my quivers over the years. Wish I was closer, or you’d still be shaping my boards!!
On Mar 04, 2021
tom says...
Got a twin fin shaped by you in Haleiwa, Hi in 1986. It’s got a leopard skin paint job on bottom, plain whit on deck. BEST board I ever rode !!!! That thing handled ANYTHING east coast US could dish. THANK YOU !
T
On Mar 02, 2021
Matt simas says...
I have a T&c board that you may have shaped it has some Rolling Stones lips airbrushed on it I was wandering if you can remember it or have any info who it was shaped for , thank you
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On Aug 25, 2020
Chris Barbera says...
What’s up bro? Contact me man. Tell me how you are doing. You still shaping? I had a friendly argument with a customer on whether shaping boards is more artistic than cabinet design. She was impressed and knew I came from an artistic family. Get in touch with me brother. I need some help up here.
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On Aug 09, 2020
Craig ALEXANDER alias Crab says...
Howzit Ed, amazing you’re on the mainland, I thought you’d more than likely never leave Sunset point! Takayo and I left in 2000 seeking new horizons, presently we’ve ended up in Vacaville (small world), been here a few years now! We go to Bodega quite a few times a year, was there three weeks ago during lock down (what a joke)! Anyway drop me a line if you’re up to it, please!
To every surfer out there, Ed shapes a board that will fit your style to the tee, his knowledge of what makes a board work is as good as it gets just tell him what you want the finish product to do, and that stick will perform! Ed make a few boards for me in the late 70’s early 80’s, they were north shore performance machines! One was a 5’8" twin fin with great V in the bottom back half, that board shredded Rocky Point and any face up to 8’ maybe 10’! Other guys were trying to copy it left and right back then, but Ed was the man with the touch and mind so capable then and I’m certain he still is! Unfortunately 1-2 years after this board I ruptured a disc in my back doing construction and that ended my high performance days! Those were great times, and fondly remembered! Anyway don’t doubt Ed, he’s the best and I’ll testify to that any day of the week and way into the future!
I’ll try to locate your shop one of these days Ed and drop in on you! I’d love to chat, later and God Bless you and your family!
Craig A.
On Jun 09, 2020
Rick Espitia says...
I bought a board of yours it’s great thanx for doing what you do…
On May 10, 2020
ether says...
Hello Ed,
I just purchased a board on Craigslist that was made by you. I was wondering if you could remember possibly what year it was made. It does have a Sunset Beach, HI by leash. I can send you pictures if I can get an email from you.
Thanks!
On Mar 06, 2019