201 - Manny Caro - Surf Splendor

In today’s episode we chat with surfboard shaper Manny Caro. Manny shares his origin story, how nature informs his surfboard design theory, formative experiences with Rich Pavel and Marc Andreini, the importance of sourcing locally made building materials, and how to cultivate sustainable growth in a business. Enjoy!

Visit MandalaCustomShapes.com and follow @SwallowTailSociety

Twelve years ago today, I walked into Mollusk in SF (my shaping room was in the back) and John looked up from the counter and casually said, “Clark closed down.” I thought he was joking until I realized everyone in the room wasn’t smiling. It was rough for about six months, shaping whatever I could get my hands on. It was a bad time to be a shaper. Luckily, I had a lot of loyal and caring customers and friends who put in orders for boards that had no expected delivery date. Thanks to everyone who ever made the leap of faith to order one of my boards ??and special thanks to the original crew at Clark who quickly formed @usblanks and practically saved surfboard manufacturing in the USA ??
A post shared by Mandala Custom Shapes (@swallowtailsociety) on Dec 5, 2017 at 11:20pm PST

Manny in Jack Coleman’s “Proportional Harmonics”

Proportional Harmonics from Mollusk Surf Shop on Vimeo.

Here’s an example of Manny’s “finlets”

New Zephyros experiments under way with @yabaifin aluminum ZEPH mini keels >>> #mandalazephyros
A post shared by Mandala Custom Shapes (@swallowtailsociety) on Dec 5, 2017 at 3:32pm PST

And here are the “Golden Ratio” reference videos used in this episode

Manny also mentioned being inspired by a Jon Wegener board he saw Andy Davis riding . . .

Coulda used this today .. one of my favorite boards of all time. Game changer for me. Mahalos @jonwegenersurfboards for all of your aquatic adventure mobiles … I know you still have this @tywillyums !!! Hope you are being good to thee ol blue gillagin …
A post shared by Andy Davis (@andydavisdesigns) on Dec 28, 2017 at 8:03pm PST