About me: Hi, I’m Josh Hall: blessed to have been born and raised in San Diego Ca. I started surfing pretty late in life around 14 years old in the Pacific Beach region, mainly Felspar St. That is where I’m fortunate to have hooked up with surfer/shaper Skip Frye when I was 18. After ordering my first board, I quickly became close to both he and Donna during the last few years of Harry’s Surf shop (Dropped in 1990, kicked out May 2000). I’m blessed to say that the strong relationship still exists today. It was that same year of getting my first Frye, when I began an interest in shaping. My daily routine would be go to school, then the beach, surf, go in and watch Skip shape then we’d go get a session in after that. I knew I was extremely lucky to have this type of relationship with Skip, so I decided in my head and heart that shaping is ultimately what I wanted to do. It’s just taken 9 years to finally come to a realization; having obtained a degree in Spanish Literature and owning a Wine Importing Business for a few years that ultimately got in the way of what I always wanted to do, build boards. I don’t think the timing could have been any better.
I’m lucky to have Skip as an influence not only in surfing but shaping as well. Down the line speed and trim are what I grew up knowing and watching, so much of my influence in shaping is along those same lines. But, I’m also fortunate to have grown up with other influences in surfing, Joel in particular, which has rounded out my repertoire with some of the classic log shapes that I build. Skip’s influence moves me away from the old, but Joel’s style bringing me back. I guess I’m a true product of the Seedling motto, “if it’s over head, ride a short board”. Well said Thomas!
My boards are truly, 100% hand shaped-custom surfboards. The only machine I use is the Skil 100 power plane and my own two hands. Now I say truly 100% hand shaped because that is what they are, no shaping machines used and no ghost shapers. And if there was ever a point in my career as a shaper either of those two elements were even close to entering into the equation (highly doubtful) my clients would be the first to know. I want to have at least 10,000 hand shapes minimum under my belt before I even think about those options. There weren’t any machines back in the day.
I have over 25 models that I shape and surf all the time. From 5’9 twin and quad rocket fish, all sorts of mid lengths, eggs, swallowtails, to nose riders to cross-country sliders. Having grown up with access to Skips’ personal quiver, riding many different board shapes and sizes was a normal and daily practice. I’m not chasing themes or board building trends to make a buck. I build boards that I l like to ride and boards that work. Because at the end of the day, that is all that should matter when you get a custom built board, one that makes you have fun and catch tons of waves.
I’ve got a great working relationship with Kingmac Foam so blank supply is not an issue. If you like certain stringer set ups than expect a few weeks wait on your blank delivery. Also, the awesome crew at Moonlight glassing is doing all of my wet work. Expect to wait, but expect to have the best quality in the business, delivered! I learned to build surfboards by hand, one blank, one shape, and one customer at a time. So I’m ready and waiting to build you a Josh Hall custom surfboard. Word is that a lot of other shapers are back logged; I’d be stoked to get a board going for you this month.
Thank you and cheers!
Slide the Glide,
Josh Hall
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