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TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I started in the surfboard industry in 1990.My first encounter was fixing boards,sending, glassing and in 1996 I started to shape. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT WHEN AND HOW YOU STARTED?

It was really hard for me in the begining, san sebastian is a very expensive city to buy a property and it was hard to find a place to work. I started up in a little local space the size of a garage. In 1993 I bought my first property and i started to grow. HOW HAS THE COMPANY/BUSINESS/CAREER DEVELOPED AND GROWN?

At first i worked alone, working 10 or 12 hours a day depending on workload. The busiest period is from may to November. I was fixing boards, making new ones….I recieved a lot of phone calls.... WHO ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS?

The shapers who i have been working with; scott bloom (USA), Darren Handley (AUS), Tim Bessel (USA), Bruce McKee (AUS). They teach me a lot. When you work with good teachers, you get a good product. WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE?

I see the ocean from my house. I am watching it now while i am writing haha. Before work I go to the beach, check the tide and wind and if the conditions are very good, go surfing. I also go after work if conditions are good then too.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT/HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR?

Seeing team riders win contests. In 2002 (aritz mendiluce) won the basque circuit and in 2002, 2003 and 2004 he was gipuzkoa champ. Other team riders then joined; like julen eguiguren, ethan eguiguren and borja agote. Borja agote won txiki surf in zarautz, he was champ of guipuzkoa and euskadi (grommet) and also won inter celtics games under 16. Another highlight was when Hawaiian pro surfer miles padaca (good friend of mine) tested a board I made for him. Miles use to stay at my house in the summer for several years for the European leg (pro contest). He won the triple crown of surfin in hawaii in 2002. Another amazing feeling was when I was in California in 2005 when i bought the 2005 surfing calendar and saw my team rider, aritz mendiluce, in a perfect barrel in mundaka in october shot by a pro photographer, pete friden. Another great experience is being able to go to California from January to march every year to stay with other shapers, buy new materials, visit trade shows and surf. I have been to California 11 times, Hawaii 3 times (miles padaca house), indonesia 3 times, Australia, Mexico, all central America, Peru, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Senegal, Morocco, Canary Island, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and maybe somewhere else haha.

Arturo

Lopez

MArtinez

AkA: bArny

SHApinG tHe

SeAS

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HOW DO YOU FEEL THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

When the shaping school launched a lot of people started to learn. In the bigining we were a small group, this gradually increased year on year. Now there’s tons of surfers and more competence for the bussines. WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

Nothing much, I have always made my own decisions. IF NOT THIS.. WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

Working with the best to build the best product.

WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?

Seeing people riding my surfboars when I’m surfing IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ONE LASTING MEMORY WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

The time when a Barney surfboard rider wins a contest because I see it as a result of my hard work. It’s so rewarding to say, ‘’I made his surfboard with my hands’’. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANYONE STARTING OUT?

Optimism, passion....To be willing to win some and loose some. For me the the best things remain inside me forever.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I am just a local shaper with ambition. YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING WITH THE RIGHT MENTAL ATTITUDE IN LIFE – DO YOU AGREE?

100% Agree. Attitude is everithing. I’m always possitve and optimistic. IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING IN THE WORLD WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Hard to answer, too many things…people’s greed. WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?

I am now 43, waiting for my baby and I work less hours. I have more time for me and family, and surfing of course. But I’m still working.

Thanks Arturo.

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