Bubble Gum Surf Wax sponsors Chunk of Foam Challenge at The Boardroom
Bubble Gum Surf Wax has signed on to be the presenting sponsor of the Chunk of Foam Challenge. Three craftsman will be asked to find a surfboard within an 8’ x 2’ x 2’ chunk of surfbaord foam within a three hour time limit. The winning shaper will receive $1K. The Chunk of Foam Challenge takes place during The Boardroom at SurfExpo in Orlando, Florida, September 7&8.
“Bubble Gum Surf Wax has been keeping surfers glued to their boards for decades,” said Britt Galland, wax maestro at Bubble Gum. “This unique shaping competition will have the public glued to the unfolding action within the Chunk of Foam Challenge shaping bay. We’re honored, and it makes perfect sense, to have the Bubble Gum brand associated with the core of the surf industry—shapers.”
“I’ve produced nine shaping events since 2007, but never one this raw,” said Scott Bass, The Boardroom show director. “I threw this concept onto Facebook a few months ago and it’s received plenty of attention. Americans are thirsty for authentic craftsmanship. This challenge helps to highlight surfboard shaping, the craft of board building and the very core of the surf industry.”
Three shapers, including 3X Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters winner Ricky Carroll, will try their hand at crafting a surfboard out of a block of foam. The other two shapers participating in the East coast Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubble Gum Surf Wax ( legendary right coast craftsman in their own right) are Juan Rodriguez of One World Surf Designs, and Stuart Sharpe of Sharpe Shapes.
SPINNING OF THE WHEEL
The Chunk of Foam Challenge will kick off with the ceremonial spinning of the wheel. There will be three surfboard designs on the wheel, whatever design the arrow lands on determines the surfboard they will be asked to replicate. All three shapers will replicate the exact same surfboard design.
THE UNVEILING
Each shaper will be allowed to check out the surfboard i.e. hold it, feel its rails, and dwell on its intricacies for 60 seconds. That is all. The surfboard is then put behind stanchions — for viewing only. No one is allowed within 10 feet of the board.
THE TOOLS
Each shaper may bring into the shaping bay only one power tool of their choosing. They may bring in any and all hand tools. However, they are not allowed any modern measuring devices: no tape, no T squares, no templates, no rocker bars.
THE TIME
Each shaper is allowed three hours. The time is strictly enforced.
THE JUDGING
A select panel of uniquely qualified distinguished, and subtly-gray haired judges will determine the winner.
WHY
There are hundreds of world-class surfboard shapers. But who can really shape a surfboard from just a chunk of foam? Is there a shaper that can create a board using just their hands, a few primitive tools and their inner vision?
Harken back to the days of ancient Polynesian board building. Boards were made out of chunks of wood. If you wanted a board you found a tree. We are tweaking on that concept just a touch by challenging a selection of top echelon shapers to create a surfboard out of an 8’ x 2’ x 2′ chunk of foam.
This is an intriguing, entertaining, and fun opportunity to lift up and exalt the craft of shaping surfboards. That’s it.
The Boardroom @SurfExpo – Sept. 7&8, 2013
• Open to the Public !
• Tribute to the Masters /Icons of Foam presented by US Blanks honoring East Coast legend Rich Price
• Chunk of Foam Challenge presented by Bubblegum Surf Wax
• A room filled with world-class surfboards & surf equipment
• Live music, art, film, and culture
www.boardroomshow.com