Roberts Surfboards Shaper: Robert Weiner

Year started shaping: 1994  Boards shaped: 20,000

What’s your shaping philosophy? Board design is a function of vision and feedback. I like to keep an open mind and value the feedback that I get from my team riders and customers. I believe in quality over quantity by taking the time with customers and providing them the best boards made to the highest quality.

What led you to become a shaper? I actually shaped my first board when I was 12 years old, so I would have to say my love for surfing and a huge interest in surfboard design.

Who is your biggest shaping influence? I love getting feedback from beginners and pros alike. The surfers that ride my boards keep me motivated to create and refine my designs.

What do you consider your expertise? Understanding of surfboard design and how to apply it to a surfer’s needs has been my greatest strength over the years. It has helped me make boards that work for a wide variety of surfers.

What are your most popular models? There are many different types of surfers these days as well as different boards for waves sizes. Because of that we have designs that excel in different types of conditions.

What is unique about the boards you shape? All of our boards are made in the U.S. I design all of our boards, and I still finish-shape every one of them. All of our shapes are tested and approved by our riders before they go to market.

How is your shaping influenced by your location? The waves around my area are quite diverse. There are points, reefs, jetties, and beachbreaks. We also have some amazing surfers in the Ventura area as well. These two elements help me create boards with the highest level of surfing in mind.

What advice would you give to customers to help them get the best board possible? Be honest about your ability and know as much as possible about the board you are trying to order. That way you can articulate how you want the board to perform and give me a better understanding of where you are in your surfing.

What’s the biggest lesson learned in your shaping career? Be thankful for what you have. Always try to do things better. It takes years to be an overnight success!