Mr. Arenal knows foam, as he continues to prove. Photo: Arenal Surfboards
Michael Arenal is a soulful shaper honoring surfing tradition with an interest in surf history as a means for progression. The Ventura-based shaper’s hard work and dedication to the craft once again paid off as he won the esteemed Icons of Foam Shape-Off at the Del Mar Boardroom Show last fall. That marked Arenal’s second year in a row being crowned champion of the Shape-Off, joining his name with other two-time winners including Wayne Rich, Ricky Carrol (a three-time winner), Roger Hinds, and Ryan Burch.
Ryan Burch came close to clinching his own third win, but Arenal beat him out in a closely matched final heat. The other shapers in the competition were Grant Noble, Axel Lorentz, Josh Hall, Jordan Brazie, Kris Hall, and Moon.
The icon and judge of the contest this time around was none other than Bob McTavish, an important player in the shortboard revolution of the late ‘60s and the “involvement school” of surfing in the mid ‘60s. McTavish can also be credited with designing the first-ever vee-bottom board, and was named “the most influential shaper of all time” by Australia’s Surfing Life.
Michael Arenal, specifically, draws board inspiration from traditional ‘60s and ‘70s shapes, so McTavish being the judge played to his strengths.
“I draw a lot of inspiration from those time periods, and find myself especially connected with those eras,” Arenal said when I pointed out his affinity for ‘60s and ‘70s designs. “Bob has been a big inspiration. He plays such a major part in surfing’s history and particularly in the ’60s and ’70s, and to see him to be as in it and as stoked as he is is incredible,” Arenal said. “He’s a true legend.”
Despite the positive outcome, I can only imagine how nerve-wracking it must be to have Bob McTavish (along with a crowd of eager onlookers) watching you shape. These surfboard builders create boards under a strict time limit and are then judged on the finished product in each heat, while up against other highly experienced shapers.
Although Arenal has his own label, a history working as a lead shaper for Hobie, and mentorship from the likes of Gary Larson, Tyler Warren, Donald Brink, Wes Holderman, Josh Martin, Greg Martz, and Ryan Lovelace, to name a few, that doesn’t mean one’s nerves magically disappear.
Specifically, when the final came down to Michael Arenal and Ryan Burch, both shapers boasting past wins, Arenal admitted things got more intense. “Ryan is one heck of a shaper,” Arenal said. “I’ve seen it in the years past when he’s won, and his shapes are so dialed, and he is really talented at pulling apart all of the details of a shape. So, in the final I was nervous. It was a real challenge with the final shape they gave us a stringer-less blank templated backwards, which means a lot of shaping to be done. I knew I had to be spot on and do my best because Ryan’s shape would be really good.”
Arenal also admitted that, speaking more generally, the format was difficult for shapers who tend to spend a lot of their time alone. He noted, “the Icons of Foam shape-off is really the complete opposite of what shaping is about. Shapers are alone in their dark rooms all day, whittling away, focused on what they’re doing. Then, you take all those people, stick them in a clear box with a bunch of eyes staring at them to get out of their normal muscle memory and try to replicate something different.”
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Arenal also mentioned that since it is a competitive environment, “it’s pretty jarring for most of the competitors… It was for me.” This is mostly because the contest “creates a competition out of something that is not competitive.”
“It’s sort of tough because we don’t know what shapes the honoree is going to pick,” Arenal explained. “I just look through Bob’s history and try to make my guesses on the three boards that he would choose.” However, “even if you make the correct guesses, it still doesn’t offer you much, because you won’t know the details that they’re judging until the day you’re shaping,” which “creates a lot of stress.”
Ultimately, Arenal said he aims to “stick to shaping like normal leading up to the competition, and keeping my skills up, so when the day comes you just hop in the bay and treat it like another usual shape as much as I can.”
Although Michael did not confirm or deny his status in the competition next year, he did say he would like to thank “everyone I get to build boards with and for. It’s truly an honor, and a special opportunity to make someone a board. I feel lucky to be able to spend my days revolving around surfboards.” At this point in time, Arenal is “going to be taking a hiatus for a little while,” but he urges everyone to “keep an ear down and an eye out for what’s happening down the line.”
Find more information about Arenal Surfboards here.
