The competing craftsman, chosen directly by Doug Haut, include Mark Angell, Ward Coffey, Steve Coletta, Bob Pearson and Wayne Rich. The five shapers will each be allotted two hours in the US Blanks shaping bay to replicate a classic Doug Haut “Bump” design. The finished, anonymous blanks will then be judged by Haut and others to determine a winner. The winning shaper will receive a check from US Blanks for $1000 and have their name inscribed on the Mike Marshall Perpetual Trophy alongside past winners Ricky Carroll, Marc Andreini, Pat Rawson, Wayne Rich and Matt Biolos.
“We decided on the Bump design for two reasons,” said Haut. “It was very a popular board back in the day…I made a lot of ’em. Secondly, it is a difficult surfboard to shape, and should present a solid challenge for these guys.”
“Doug Haut’s boards and surfshop are legendary in Santa Cruz and part of the fabric of authentic surf culture here in California” said defending champion Wayne Rich. “Sacred Craft’s shape-off is a very fitting and deserving tribute to an iconic and humble Santa Cruz surfer.”
“Once again the organizers have chosen a craftsman that is above reproach,” explained US Blanks VP of Operations Jeff Holtby. “US Blanks is excited to be a part of the tribute to Doug Haut. 2011 marks the third year of our involvement with Sacred Craft’s Tribute to the Masters. We look forward to providing the shapers and the industry with the highest quality foam blanks for this competition and beyond.”
All the action takes place March 19 & 20, 2011 in downtown Santa Cruz at the Rittenhouse Building.
The Tribute to the Masters Shape-off is presented by US Blanks and is part of the Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo weekend presented by Santa Cruz.
“Like Doug Haut, the Santa Cruz logo and brand are iconic to this city and surf culture. As a kid, 30-years ago, way down in San Diego, I was riding a Santa Cruz skateboard,” said expo director Scott Bass. “We are ecstatic to have two icons of Santa Cruz, the Santa Cruz brand of surfboards, skateboards, snowboards and mountain bikes, along with legendary Doug Haut. We couldn’t ask for better partners for our inaugural visit to this celebrated surfing hub.”
ROADSHOW STYLE APPRAISAL ON SATURDAY ARE A CROWD FAVORITE.
In addition to the Doug Haut Tribute, there will also be a vintage surfboard and memorabilia ‘Antique Roadshow’ appraisals (bring your stuff!), the Billabong XXL Exxperience, a Surf Aid International shaping bay, the Future of Surfing Consortium, hand laminating demonstrations, vacuum bag laminating demonstrations, surf artists creating and presenting art, the Korduroy.tv short films lounge, surfers playing music for surfers, cold beer by PRIMO, great food and drink, hundreds of state-of-the-art surfboards, cutting edge wetsuits, great deals on surf gear, surf art, surfboard demos, movies, surfboard giveaways and tons of fun.
SURF Buyer's Guide 