Becoming a Surfboard Shaper

Established over a decade ago by Steve Parks Northern Dawn Surfboards came about through a chance encounter with the Ocean which turned into a passion for Surfing..

It all Started with a surprise trip to Cornwall many years ago. At the time i was heavily into weightlifting and had no intention of ever being in the Sea.  It turns out my wife had other ideas. Unknown to me Laura had booked us both on a 2 day Surf  camp in Newquay. When i found out i was horrified and after a few four letter words. However i decided to give it a go as it was something she had wanted to have a go at for a few years.

My first Surf

After what seemed like a long. I eventually found a wetsuit to fit my then physique which was more adapted to weightlifting than surfing. With the help of two of the instructors we managed to get the zip fastened then off to Lusty Glaze we went. Well to cut a long story short i caught my first wave really quickly and wow what a buzz. I could not believe the absolute joy of riding a surfboard. The conditions were quite poor but the sun was out and i was having fun. For the two days i was Buzzing and immediately wanted a surfboard in my life.And so my Surfing journey began!  For the next few years i surfed whenever i could progressing slowly in the Baltic North sea temps until i felt i was ready for a smaller board. This was when my dilemma started, at my size what to ride next. It seemed to me that surfing catered for smaller  individuals. So if i wanted something with a bit more performance at my size i may have to look for a special type of surfboard  or a Custom board.

After a few boards that i didn’t really get along with i decided my best option was to have a go a making myself a surfboard. So i started reading and basically making a mess until eventually i produced something that resembled a board. It was shall i say very not pleasant to look at but it surfed. this triggered something in me that expanded into passion for making Surfboards. I read more, learned more and shaped more testing more boards. Learning to  feel the difference each cut made to a design. Eventually after years i satiated making some OK surfboards and to my surprise other surfers thought the same …

The start of ND Surfboards

After years of shaping only for myself i started to make a few friends boards. Then as word got around more local surfers asked me to make them boards and so on until i eventually just fell into being a Surfboard shaper. After a few years i starting up a small company as a part time venture.

Why Northern Dawn Surfboards

The Name Northern Dawn Surfboards encapsulates how i feel as i wake to a new fresh day. The upcoming eagerness of what the day may bring and the look of the early North East morning surf. Which is always a sight to behold. Many years have past by now  but the passion still remains. I can safely say Surfing has been one of the best things to happen to me in my life. Helping other people get into waves is why i love to build boards.  Amongst all the dust, dirt and chemicals there is the reward of passing on the Stoke.
I will never get tired of Surfboard Shaping. The stoke is in my blood now, hopefully for many years to come..

We are located not far off the A1 in Chester le street click the link below for google maps

32 Crichton Avenue, Chester le street, Co Durham, DH3 3ND