Hi Mabini Girl,
I had heard that there was a Japanese fella manufacturing boards in the PI?  You know any contact info on that?  was going to purchase one from him if he sells to public!  
You live In Cantanduanes?  I was going to start a cybershop there with some family along time ago!  

cheers,
Tanduayguy

Hello all,

I had heard on a post here a long time ago that some guy (Japanese) was making surfboards somewhere in Batangas!  There was a special on it in TFC (The Filipino Channel) here in the States!   Anyone know where and who?   A contact phone number, email address, webpage? or even physical address?   I'd like to contact him!   Was thinking of just buying a couple boards while over there, if possible!    anyone actually shape and glass boards over In PI to sell them?

cheers,
TanduayGuy

Thanks Knefut!

  Yeah..   I have heard too about shapers there in PI, but when i am there, they disappear!  ha ha ha..   I have been to La Union, Iba - Zambales, and cantanduanes... and have yet to meet a shaper!   I was in an LBC shipping center here in San Diego, and I spoke to this philipino guy who said there was a japanese guy who lived in Hawaii who brought over a bunch of shapers.. taught a few locals in Batangas..   and now manufactures them there! There was even a special on The filipino chanel here which plays filippine news, shows, etc etc...  

I just figure that if they are made locally, i could purchase them there in PI on my vacations.. so family can still have all their pasalubong in the balikbayan i end up bringing...     I always have to pay extra to the airlines for baggage...  So.. might as well spend the money on just buying the board there!  right?   and if the price was right...  might even buy a few to take home!  

So.. if i ever get a contact to this infamous japanese shaper/ manufacturer of boards in Batangas...  I'll let ya know!    I'd actually be interested in any small businesses over there that makes them!  I'd custom order one in advance so it would be ready!

cheers,
Tanduayguy

Thanks Sponjah, Knefut, and MarkLucas for the responses!  

I guess it really is a legend that surfboards are being made in PI!  ha ha ha. (Or they dont want to be known!!!)

I have even sent a sample Blank (the core of the surfboard) over to relatives in PI to take to a foam manufacturer to see if they can copy it!   But... as with anything over in PI, you really have to "BE THERE" to supervise and Follow up with the whole process!  I enjoy shaping, so thought it might be fun to do while on my vacations over there.. when it is flat!  ;-(   The Foam company did get my sample, but i never heard back from their Research and Development team on if they could copy it and the costs involved!

Well, if anyone ever does find this Shaper/ manufacturer of Surfboards in batangus (Daet area!!!)  please shoot me a message!  Or anyone who actually makes surfboards in PI I'd like contact info for!!  I really want to talk to them about some possible business opportunities!  

Cheers,
TanduayGuy!!!

Thanks Mark for the info.   Yeah.. shaping is not that easy to pick up.  Need all the tools..   Special lighting...    And most crucial is that Rocker!  you screw that up.. and the board wont surf well.. or surf at all!  ha ha ha..   My second board i surfed was like a plank!  I called it the plank.  I didn't put enough rocker in it.. and well sure it was a fast board to surf... but.. you had to really take off on the tail and at an angle as not to pearl!  ha ha ha..  I sold it to a Marine down here in San Deigo was learning for 200 bucks only used once!  ha haha..  Anyway...   I'm just searching out any local talent that actually knows how to shape boards!  and trying to find out if there is anyone out there who has a small shaping / glassing shop for the production of boards!   If there was.. i would check them out...  when i'm over there.  and if they are any good.. i'd buy a board or two!      Mark.. i wrote you off this board.. check ur hotmail acct!  

Waves here in San Diego... about waist high.  blown out.. we are expecting rain tomorrow with choppy conditions!!

Cheers,
TanduayGuy

Hi Millie,

Wow... nice post.   I've been on and off this board for some time.  Mostly lurking...  I too have been trying to set up a manufacturing facility in the philippines!  It is possible to make the foam yourself.. although the "quality" is the issue here!   You have to mix component A with Component B 50/ 50 and put in a mold! I have never seen it done in person...  but have been told there are some tricks to avoid the airbubbles....   and certain processes to increase or decrease the density!   I have done much research on it.  I know where to get the ingredients.. and how much they cost per litre, but have had no luck with the molds!  Have you seen the boards that they are producing in Mindanao area?   How they come out?  

Do these guys producing boards have a webpage??

cheers,
TanduayGuy