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Another day in the shop, bringing ideas to life. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Chaz admiring his work, looking for imperfections and fine tuning the rocker. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Attention to detail is necessary. Every stroke of the sandpaper is calculated and not one speck of foam is out of place. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Shaping is also all about measurements, precision and accuracy. This is what sets his boards from the rest. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Chaz taking one last look before it's sent off to the glassing room. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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This is the tanto model, a shape Chaz has designed and refined over the years. An epic all-around, rippable shape. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Chop the nose of a board off and you get something pretty unique. How you continue from there decides if it will work or not. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Chaz shapes boards for all conditions. From thick barrels to long open faced carves, and punchy beach break airs. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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A moment of reflection before paddling out. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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The Tanto model in action. We shot for a couple of hours this day and it handled everything that was thrown at it. From a glassy morning to the onshore winds that followed. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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This is the Milkman model. An all-around everyday shortboard. Chaz mainly shapes these as a daily driver, and they are his go-to board. It's not too difficult to see why with a snap like this. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Another classic example of the Milkman performing. Chaz is a power surfer and these go hand-in-hand with his style. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Chaz about to unload some power in the pocket. This is exactly where you want to be. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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Paddling back out isn't too bad on pristine afternoons like this at our home break, Ho'okipa. Photo: Nicks Ricca
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A shaper knows every inch of his board. After surfing it, they will go and tweak designs until it's just right. Chaz carving before we headed up to the shop to get some more work done. Photo: Nicks Ricca
Chaz Kazuma Kinoshita, 18, from Maui, Hawaii is the son of legendary shaper Matt Kinoshita of Kazuma Surfboards. Chaz has been in and around the shaping bay since he was young, learning the art and experimenting with new shapes. Shapers who surf their own equipment are unique in the way that they can envision the board, create it, and then test it. Surfing influences their shaping, and shaping influences their surfing. Chaz’s designs are innovative like his surfing, blending old school style with new age progression. Here’s a little glimpse into the life of an up-and-coming shaper out of Maui.
For more of Nick’s photography, check out his website or follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
