Local shaper shifts board for books

THE three-decade shaping journey of renowned local surfboard shaper and multidisciplinary artist Sergio Gomez has been put to paper for the first time.

Shape Shifter is a deep dive into more than 30 years of surfboard shaping, giving readers an insight into surf trends, different boards, fin construction and more.

Gomez said surfing, shaping and exploration has defined his life, “a journey driven by an enduring quest to understand the ocean and the craft of surfboard design.”

“For many years I wanted to write a book about boards, but there’s lots of things involved.

“It’s hard for surfers to sometimes understand how a board works, so I thought this book could be like a manual for surfers, bringing it all together in a basic way.

“I hope I can express that to the readers. You can grab it, go through a few pages and get the right information and a general overview as to why things are the way they are.”

Gomez said he has been working on the book for over seven months, putting in 14 hour days to get it finished.

“It’s been like a full-time job on the side of shaping.

“I’ve been up at 4am trying to get it done. It’s been a lot of effort to make a product that we think is really good.”

Gomez and his team will be holding a book launch and art exhibition event on the Anzac Day long weekend at Feast Studios in Torquay.

The exhibition will feature hand-shaped surfboards transformed into one-of-a-kind artworks from more than 15 leading local and international artists.

Each artist details their own connection to the ocean and how the ocean feels to them through their artworks.

There will also live music, local food trunks and more.

“It’s a fully immersive exhibition that explores the intersection of surf culture, design, and contemporary art,” curator Zachary Riggs said.

“Think of it as a celebration of the rhythm, movement, and raw energy that defines both surfing and art.

“It’ll be a must-experience cultural moment on the Surf Coast calendar.”

Artist Buff Diss is one of the 15 artists who will be exhibiting their works.

“As a surfer, the surfboards are like a tool until you realise when you get a good one it becomes part of you,” he said.

“They surfboards are such an insane piece to use for art.

“Surfing itself is an art, so when the idea came up to expand this book launch, it was a very exciting opportunity.”

The launch party on April 26 will begin at 2pm.

For more information, head to gomezsurfboards.com/registration