In Conversation with Surfboard Maker, Diogo Appleton

Even more if you take the next step and start designing boards, as Diogo Appleton did, when in 2014 - after an experience in Australia - transitioned from being a surfer to becoming a board designer and maker. "My passion for surfing developed gradually, always motivated by my father, who taught me to surf when I was 8 years old" he recalls.

Then, back home in Europe, "I realized that my interest in alternative boards needed to be explored. My father made boards in the late 80s, and it was with him that I started my first attempts without having high expectations."

High expectations that have been meet in the meantime, as Applteon is now a well-known and respected board designer in the surf community, constantly facing the challenge to ensure "that the surfer’s expectations of the board match reality. It’s not easy to please all surfers, as surfing has too many variables and is complex on many levels" he states.

The art of surfboard making

When asked to describe the process of board making, Appleton explains that it all begins with  "an honest conversation to determine the surfer's level, the type of waves they want to surf, and their background." From there, he moves on to planning the chosen model, determining the general dimensions, such as length, width, and thickness, according to the client’s weight, height, and surfing level.

"Once the measurements are set, the next step is using the electric planer and other tools to start shaping the board," he continues. "Every model has its particularities and details that are highly relevant and can influence the following stages."

After the shape is finalized, the next step is fiber glass and resin application, which provides strength and durability. At this stage, Appleton can also customize the board with colors or pigments, respecting drying times throughout this process to ensure the quality of the board.

Finally, after the resin cures, the board goes through a sanding process to ensure a smooth surface. But what makes his boards so unique?

The answer is easy: all his surfboards are 100% handmade, without any use of technology. "My philosophy and work ethic are based on admiration and respect for the art of hand-shaping and the time we dedicate to each piece, but that alone doesn’t define my brand."

The athlete’s experience

Of course, being a high-performance athlete for about 10 years, allowed Appleton to gain a unique perspective and sensibility. "Having had the opportunity to push my surfing to its limits was crucial when I started making my own boards. All this competition experience and the ability to surf at the highest level made it easier for me to understand the needs of each surfer" he admits.

Being “on the other side” in the crafting process also changed the approach to the sport experience as well: "surfing with boards I’ve made has not only increased my satisfaction and pleasure in surfing but has also given me enormous pride in creating something functional. Feeling how the board reacts in the water and refining it as needed is highly stimulating, leading to a constant pursuit of innovation" - the same innovation and urge to explore that led him to craftsmanship.

But not only his own experience influenced his art: a combination of style, inspiration and connection with the sea created his unique approach to this culture: "in surfing, figures like Kelly Slater, Ryan Burch, Bryce Young, and Gerry Lopez were great sources of inspiration" he recalls. "Kelly for his constant adaptation and longevity in the sport, Ryan and Bryce for their style and new ways of exploring surfing lines, and Gerry Lopez for his fluidity and connection with the sea".

And what about design? "I’ve always admired the work of Ryan Lovelace and Ryan Burch, who, in my opinion, revolutionized the world of alternative boards by balancing performance, tradition, and aesthetics" he explains.

But the main source of inspiration might still come from the surfboarding experiences themselves, especially when asked about the most memorable one. "One session that really stood out was a day in Noosa, Australia, in 2015, during a late afternoon surfing with a 5’0 Keel Fish. I was still in an exploratory phase of the design, but I remember doing everything effortlessly while being in total control of my movements, an unbreakable harmony. It was one of those surfs where everything that could go right did. I had that feeling that it would take something extraordinary to pull me away from all the good I was feeling."

And this is exactly the reason why surfboarding making is the perfect synthesis of the surf culture: living the moment, enjoying the freedom, feeling one thing with the board, the same board that has been crafted with meticulous precision, care for the detail and a deep knowledge of the struggles, the enjoyments, the thrilling of such a wonderful sport.

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