Have you ever thought of shaping your own board?

If you are looking for something different from your holiday, we think we have found the answer… Shapers Workshops.

In Capbreton in South West France, home of some of the best beach break waves in Europe & arguably the world, you’ll find the Plonka Surfboard Factory. It is the brainchild and baby of former ASP surfer, Kevin Olsen. You don’t have to spend much time on the famous South West France beaches to understand that Kevins’ boards are the sought after vehicles of choice amongst the local community. Kevin is renowned for his boards and he has devoted his life to producing shapes that are a blend of passion, creativity, old school techniques and modern ideas. The crown of his range is the ‘Plonka‘ which reveals the level of passion and dedication he has invested into every board he makes.

Olsen has devoted his life to producing innovative shapes

Now Kevin wants you to get even more out of your surfing, whilst give something back to an industry that has allowed him to live a life many of us only dream of… Kevin has expanded his Plonka Surfboards offering to include shaping workshops.

I cannot tell you how many surfers; experienced, intermediates and new surfers have told me that they are interested in shaping boards

“I cannot tell you how many surfers; experienced, intermediates and new surfers have told me that they are interested in shaping boards. The common theme being that they always say how they would love to learn and own a board that they have made. It seems to be on all of their bucket lists. So I thought let’s take the buzz of ordering your custom surfboard to a new level; learn and be involved in shaping your board. It will give you a feel and understanding for your surfboard that you have not had before.”

Kevin is offering the complete surf experience, Plonka Surfboards Shaping Workshops. It is an opportunity to own a custom built surfboard, shaped and built by your own hands under the watchful eye of Kevin. You can learn to shape your own surfboard, share some great waves with a former ASP surfer and experience that life that before now you had only dreamt of. You can live under the same roof at the Plonka Factory or if you are travelling with family and friends you could live just 500m from the beach in the spectacular Seignosse Villa.

The thinking behind the creation of the Plonka surfboard is the demand for better performance and stability

The driving force behind the creation of the Plonka surfboard is the demand for better performance, stability and easy-to-ride boards. Kevin’s passion is to cater and help everyone’s willingness to surf better by providing expert advice and workmanship on all his available models. He believes that ‘speaking to your shaper’ is the key to getting the right surfboard, but what could be better than that? Perhaps working alongside your shaper to create your own bespoke masterpiece. “For years people have been caught up on following fashion and surfing boards that they see the stars on. You can bet that nine times out of ten, the board will be the wrong board for them. Why do you think all the pros have boards made specifically for them? Boards are personal to you in terms of your own physical shape (fitness), physique, surfing ability and where you’ll be surfing. I want our customers to keep enjoying their surfing and progressing. We strive to ensure our boards help do that.”

Working with Kevin on the shaping course allows you to choose the design perfect for you and then be guided through the complete process from blank selection to a shaped board ready for artwork and glassing

Working with Kevin on the shaping course allows you to choose the design perfect for you and then be guided through the complete process from blank selection to a shaped board ready for artwork and glassing. Once the boards are finished with all fin markings and your signature, the board is ready for the glassing process.
During your week with Kevin, you’ll have time to surf and Kevin is happy to help you improve your surfing. Coaching with Kevin includes technique improvement, all surf equipment and transport to the beach. All ages and abilities can be taught from complete novice to pro-riders. He provides the Master Class 101 surf coaching program and surf guiding to the best surfing spots on the day.

Kevin recently had two girls from Austria enrol on a shapers workshop, check out this vid.

Want to find out more about the shaping courses? Then visit Plonka Surfboards ‘Shaping Workshop’

If you are thinking about a new board, get in contact and they can also discuss a new custom board for you. See www.plonkasurfboards.com for more details.
How to get to the Plonka Factory:

There are regular flights into Biarritz (BIQ) which is about 20 miles away on Ryan Air & EasyJet or you can fly to Bordeaux or Bilbao, if you are prepared for a slightly longer transfer (2hrs). It is also possible to go by train (Eurostar /TGV), drive from Calais to Hossegor in 9hrs or take a ferry to Spain (Brittany Ferries; Portsmouth / Plymouth to Santander or Portsmouth to Bilbao).