Boise, Idaho is an unlikely place to find a surf board shaper. Shawn was born and raised in Boise and couldn't escape the surf fever he had. Shawn started with shaping wake surf boards and is now getting into river surfing. Boise has a booming surf culture of wake surfing and river surfing. You will often see people walking around with a surf board under their arm. Right near downtown Boise, one of the best river waves in the USA is located! We were curious what made Shawn want to step into a shaping bay and get foam on his hands. Check it out below:
BM - What made you first want to step into the shaping bay?
Shawn - The idea that I could create a Surfer Lifestyle right here in Idaho and watch kids walk to school with their surfboards and have a Brigade of Shredders and Shapers 500 miles from the Ocean.
BM - How long has Brigade been around?
Shawn - Brigade has been around since 2012, but has been an idea/dream since 2005
BM - What's your favorite part of building a board?
Shawn - The absolute best part for me is seeing the stoked face of the customer when they get to take that first set behind the boat.
BM - What's the craziest board you've been asked to build?
Shawn - The Craziest Board we have built so far is a Custom 5’0” that is shaped like a Coffin with a “Betelgeuse” Graphic. I can’t wait to ride it and see if it works.
BM - Where can people send their designs to have custom boards made by Brigade?
Shawn - People can send their graphics to Info@brigadewakesurfing.com or just give us a call/text to 208-315-2526 and we’ll set you up with one of our graphic artists to draw whatever creative ideas they have.