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Hawaii native wins surfboard shaping contest at 2023 Surf Expo in Orlando

sue dewerff
·3 min read
Jeff Haney shapes a surfboard during the 2023 Surf Expo in Orlando.
Jeff Haney shapes a surfboard during the 2023 Surf Expo in Orlando.

ORLANDO — More than 20 years ago two friends and surfers, Roy Turner, then an owner of a North Carolina Surf Shop, and Mick Duncan came together to form the non-profit 501(3) BRH, Board of Retailers Association, with a mission to consolidate voices, experiences and visions within those connected throughout the surfing and beach lifestyle industry.

The non-profit has been responsible for overseeing and producing the annual Surf Expo since; one that has become the largest and longest running tradeshow in the world.

Held at the Orlando Convention Center off International Drive last week, this season's four-day event was highlighted by the annual Florida Shape-off, a shaping contest promoting the craft of hand-shaping surfboards. Hosted by Rockledge’s R&D Surfboard Factory owner, and well-known east coast shaper, Ricky Carroll, the shape-off was sponsored by US Blanks and Surf Expo.

This year’s competition featured six shapers who were given the task of replicating a legendary surfboard created by long-time craftsman, Bill “Holmesy” Holmes.

Six shapers who were given the task of replicating a legendary surfboard created by long-time craftsman, Bill “Holmesy” Holmes, at the 2023 Surf Expo in Orlando. Holmes, seen here, was one of the judges.
Six shapers who were given the task of replicating a legendary surfboard created by long-time craftsman, Bill “Holmesy” Holmes, at the 2023 Surf Expo in Orlando. Holmes, seen here, was one of the judges.

Holmes learned to surf at age 15 and began shaping surfboards shortly after. He opened Holmesy Surf Shop in Juno Beach in 1964.

From 1964 to 1971, he created more than 4,000 custom boards, each with their individual designs and marketed the boards within top-notch surf teams in the area.

The shapers participating in the 2023 Shape-off include Ryan Conklin, Sean Piper, Josh Peterson, Mike Karol, Jim Hannan, Stu Sharpe and Jeff Haney. All were given foam blanks and two-hours to complete their best rendition of Holmesy’s unique 1966 era collection, “The Sidewinder.”

The 9-foot, 4-inch vintage longboard design was created for prolonged and controlled nose riding, and featured distinct slots and a scoop in the tail section.

Friday afternoon, prior to the close of the Surf Expo event, the winners were announced, and three trophies and checks were awarded to top three shapers; after judges Ricky Carroll, Holmes and local shaper, Matt Savage collectively made their final decisions.

Josh Peterson, 27, of Oahu, Hawaii, claimed the top prize, $2,000, while Jeff Haney of Merritt Island took second, winning $1,000, and Jim Hannan, of Melbourne, earned $500 for third.

Josh Peterson, 27, of Oahu, Hawaii, left, claimed the top prize, $2,000, at the annual Surf Expo in Orlando in the annual Florida Shape-off, a shaping contest promoting the craft of hand-shaping surfboards. Jeff Haney, center, of Merritt Island took second, winning $1,000, and Jim Hannan, of Melbourne, earned $500 for third.
Josh Peterson, 27, of Oahu, Hawaii, left, claimed the top prize, $2,000, at the annual Surf Expo in Orlando in the annual Florida Shape-off, a shaping contest promoting the craft of hand-shaping surfboards. Jeff Haney, center, of Merritt Island took second, winning $1,000, and Jim Hannan, of Melbourne, earned $500 for third.

“I have shaped many boards, but this one had its nuisances and was certainly challenging, especially given the fact we had just two hours to hope to come close to Bills original shape," Peterson said.

Peterson won his first shape-off back in 2019, at just 23.

Carroll added: “My observation as a judge was that every shaper got something wrong on this replication, but the way we came up with the winners were to award those who ended up getting more things right.”

During the awards ceremony, Turner praised Carroll for his excellent Aloha spirit and continued dedication to taking on the role of hosting the Florida Surf Shape-off event every year.

“Ricky should run for president,” Turner said with a laugh. “He is always consistent, kind and fair, and we appreciate all of his efforts to bring this grassroots event to the Expo.”

In addition to the $2,000 in prize money, trophy and bragging rights, Peterson will be invited to compete in the world famous “Icons of Foam” event, to be held in Del Mar, California, at the  Boardroom, an annual event that showcases top surfboard craftsmen from around the world.

For more info about Surf Expo and upcoming 2023 events; visit www.SurfExpo.com

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Hawaii's Josh Peterson wins surfboard shape-off at 2023 Surf Expo in Orlando