The surfboard industry will honor iconic Santa Cruz shaper Doug Haut during the Tribute to the Masters Shape-off presented by US Blanks. The Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo takes place March 19-20, 2011 at the Rittenhouse Building in downtown Santa Cruz.
Five shapers, including defending champion Wayne Rich, will pay homage to Doug Haut when they take to the shaping bay at Sacred Craft and replicate a classic Haut design.
“We’ll probably have them replicate either the ‘Signature’ model or the ‘Bump’ model,” said Santa Cruz’s Doug Haut. “Either way it’ll be a real challenge and a lot of fun to watch.”
US Blanks is again sponsoring the Tribute to the Masters Shape-off. “We are ecstatic to be a part of Doug Haut’s tribute,” said Jeff Holtby of US Blanks. “Haut’s underplayed, legendary and humble existence needs to be recognized and we’re proud to be involved.”
A direct protégé of Mike Diffenderfer, Doug Haut’s designs are known for the their clean foils and pure symmetry. With over forty years of experience shaping surfboards Haut is a master of all types: shortboards, longboards, hybrids, guns, kiteboards, and sailboards few have done as many or done them as well Doug Haut.
But few outside of Santa Cruz know the illustrious story of one of the best surfer-surfboard shapers to emerge from California.
Doug Haut built a career and a life out of his surfing accomplishments: charging Sunset Beach in the 60’s, being an invitee to the prestigious Duke Kahanamoku contest, five decades of riding Steamer Lane, the list goes on.
But, Haut has continually avoided the limelight and focused on the duties at hand: Shaping and designing some of the most sought after surfboards in the NorCal scene.
The shaping community is backing Sacred Craft’s Santa Cruz location. “I’m super excited to see the expo come up to Northern California,” says surfboard shaper Marc Andreini. “The Santa Cruz community lives and breathes surfing and the culture is deeply authentic.”
The Rittenhouse is located in the heart of Santa Cruz with access to a wide variety of local businesses and a world class shaping culture. “When you’re talking historically significant surf communities, Santa Cruz has always been on the top of our list and we’re stoked to officially bring Sacred Craft to this amazing location,” says Scott Bass, Sacred Craft Expo Director. With access to a wide range of surfers not only from Santa Cruz but also the Pacific Northwest, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Barbara, the spring edition of Sacred Craft is set to deliver strong results.
In addition, the local government in Santa Cruz is rolling out the red carpet for Sacred Craft’s debut. “The City of Santa Cruz is extremely excited about Sacred Craft coming to our town,” says Jennifer Karno, City of Santa Cruz Economic Development. “The community is already buzzing with anticipation. There are so many great shapers and surf manufacturers right here in Santa Cruz. We’re all very stoked.”
Sacred Craft, the leading consumer surfboard show, recently announced 2011 dates for spring and fall events. Sacred Craft will stage at the Rittenhouse in Santa Cruz, CA March 19th and 20th and at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA on October 8th and 9th. Both locations were selected for their rich shaping heritages, vibrant surfing consumer bases, world-class facilities and direct access to the ocean.
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