SS13 4SPOT
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HER / SKARLET BIKINI BLBF0023 CRISTAL BOARDSHORT BLBF0031 HIM / GLENN BOARDSHORT BMBF0128
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GRADIENT TANK BLGF0028 LEXI BOARDSHORT BLBF0035
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LEFT / DAVIES SWEAT BMEF0029 RIGHT / POLANYI FLEECE BMEF0022
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SHARK CROSSING TEE BMGF0027
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SHUDEHILL JACKET BLKF0027 WHEEL TEE BLGF0015
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CARMEL BIKINI BLBF0027
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SPINNIN WHEELS TEE BMGF0025 CARLO BOARDSHORT BMBF0109
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BIG B TEE BMGF0028 MARK BOARDSHORT BMBF0115
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LAYCEY BIKINI BLBF0017
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SKATEPARK TEE BMGF0026
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LEFT / POLANYI FLEECE BMEF0022 MARK BOARDSHORT BMBF0115 RIGHT / DAVIES SWEAT BMEF0029 BUDDEE BOARDSHORT BMBF0129
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FLICK BIKINI BLBF0008 KIRKHAVEN SHORT BLLF0002
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TYPHER TEE BMGF0015 BARNSTABLE SHORT BMLF0107
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ARTILLERY JACKET BMKF0020
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MORRISEY FLEECE BMEF0023 TYPHER TEE BMGF0015 BARNSTABLE SHORT BMLF0107
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CASSIE BIKINI BLBF0001
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LEFT / CARMEL BIKINI BLBF0027 RIGHT / LAYCEY BIKINI BLBF0017
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DICKINSON JACKET BMKF0023 GARTSIDE TEE BMGF0038
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SHUDEHILL JACKET BLKF0027
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LEFT / LAYCEY BIKINI BLBF0017 RIGHT / CARMEL BIKINI BLBF0027
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PORT ST SOFTSHELL BMKF0027 LIFE TEE BMGF0033 SMEATHONE SHORT BMLF0108
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SKARLET BIKINI BLBF0023
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LEFT / CASSIE BIKINI BLBF0001 RIGHT / PARSONAGE GARDEN SHORT BLLF0003
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SKULL SURF TEE BMGF0020
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POLANYI FLEECE BMEF0022 BIG B TEE BMGF0028
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LEFT / CURB SIDE TEE BMG0018 BUDDEE BOARDSHORT BMBF0129 RIGHT / MEDLOCK SHIRT BMAF0001 SMEATHONE SHORT BMLF0108
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SHIPWRECKED TANK BLGF0024 ALEKTRA BIKINI BLBF0025
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CHIPPENHAM TANK BLGF0031 KIRKHAVEN SHORT BLLF0002
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HIM / PORT ST SOFTSHELL BMKF0027 SMEATHONE SHORT BMLF0108 HER / OLDHAM JACKET BLKF0026 BLUSHSTROKES TEE BLGF0018 LONGSIGHT PANT BLNF0010
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Arturo Lopez Martinez aka: barny
SHAPING THE SEAS
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF? WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT/ HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR?
I started in the surfboard industry in 1990.My first encounter was fixing boards,sending, glassing and in 1996 I started to shape.
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.
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.
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.
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HOW HAS THE COMPANY/BUSINESS/ CAREER DEVELOPED AND GROWN?
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.
HOW DO YOU FEEL THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?
TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
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.
I am just a local shaper with ambition.
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?
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.
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU? Working with the best to build the best product. WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?
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.
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.
Thanks Arturo.
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BENCH.CO.UK