In the world of surfing, there are waves, boards… and the people who shape them
In the world of surfing, there are waves, boards… and the people who shape them. Quiet yet essential, shapers are the artisan-artists who bring the objects of our passion to life: surfboards.
Without them, there’s no take-off, no perfect line, no unforgettable glide.
It’s to these unseen hands that After Essentials’ Shapers Series pays tribute — a collection of unique ponchos, designed in collaboration with shaping legends such as Timmy Patterson, Bill Stewart, Polen Surfboards, and the French shaper Chipiron.
Today, we dive into this fascinating craft through the words and perspective of Paulo, head shaper at Polen Surfboards.
Shaping: where passion meets precision
“Passion, Patience, Vision.” That’s how Paulo sums up the very essence of shaping.
Born in Lisbon in 1973, he discovered surfing relatively late, at 18 — but immediately fell in love with surfboards. In 2005, he shaped his very first board: a disaster, in his own words, but a defining experience. “The only good thing about that board was that it floated,” he jokes.
Since then, hundreds of boards have passed through his hands, made for both anonymous free surfers and some of the world’s best riders.
At Polen, shaping is a team effort. A single board passes through the hands of no fewer than 17 people, from order processing to final packaging. CNC pre-shaping, hand shaping, glassing, sanding, painting, quality control — every step matters, every detail counts.
“A surfboard has to perform first and foremost, but it also needs to please the eye. It has to tell a story,” Paulo explains.
Shaper: artisan or artist?
Probably both.
A shaper is a technician, able to analyse a surfer’s needs and adapt a board to a wave or a riding style. But they’re also a creative mind, imagining new lines, playing with volume, innovating through curves. As Paulo puts it:
“I create objects of glide for people’s enjoyment, whatever their level or style.”
There are as many ways to shape as there are shapers. Some are rooted in tradition, others constantly experiment. Some sculpt in the silence of their workshop; others share their vision through collaborations — like the one initiated by After Essentials with the Shapers Series.
A tribute series
Created as a tribute to surfboard makers, the Shapers Series highlights the names that have shaped the history of surfboard design. Each poncho is a celebration of their universe — a deep dive into their aesthetics, culture and vibe.
The collection includes:
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The Timmy Patterson poncho, bold and vibrant, reflecting Californian shapes and high-performance boards.
Discover the Timmy Patterson poncho -
The Bill Stewart poncho, with vintage, graphic tones that echo decades of innovation and design from this pioneer of surfing.
View the Bill Stewart poncho -
The Stewart Quiver version, extending the brand’s visual universe through soft, elegant shapes.
Explore the Stewart Quiver -
And the brand-new Chipiron poncho, born from Basque surf lifestyle, blending artisanal tradition with contemporary aesthetics.
Discover the Chipiron poncho
Each piece is more than just a poncho: it’s a shaper’s entire universe, translated into a comfort item that reflects their vision and attention to detail.
A natural collaboration
If After Essentials chose to create this series, it’s because we share the same values as shapers: a love of craftsmanship, respect for the gesture, and a deep appreciation for well-made objects.
Behind every board and every poncho, there’s a story and a culture.
At Polen, for example, each brand they collaborate with has its own “book” — a reference guide gathering all the details of the shapes and models to reproduce.
“It’s an honour to work for so many different labels,” Paulo explains. Pyzel, T. Patterson, Stewart, Stretch, Noir — all these brands trust the team to carry on their expertise, down to the finest detail.
More than an object: an emotion
When asked about the role of the shaper in surf culture, Paulo answers with humility:
“I’m just another person who loves surfboards.”
And yet, he’s so much more than that. He’s the one who imagines, draws, cuts and refines. The one who turns a raw foam blank into a board. A good surfboard is a partner — a tool for freedom, a memory-making machine.
This is where the collaboration with After Essentials truly makes sense. Our surf ponchos aren’t just hooded towels — they’re session companions, post-wave cocoons, pieces that extend the experience.
Through the Shapers Series, we celebrate the people who make this magic possible.
A shaper for life
Finally, for anyone dreaming of shaping boards themselves, Paulo has one simple piece of advice:
“Do it out of love.”
Love for surfing, for the object, for the craft. Everything else — technique, mistakes, years of learning — will come with time. Like all forms of craftsmanship, shaping always begins with passion.
By wearing a poncho from the Shapers Series, you’re not just wearing a garment.
You’re wearing a story.
The story of a shaper, a workshop, a board.
A story of glide, creativity and pure emotion.
So, are you coming on board with us and the Shapers Series?