Founder Profile. CHRIS CHONG & DAN WATKINS
THE AUSTRALIAN DUO BEHIND THE IRREVERENT SURFBOARD BRAND/ FAMILY OF CREATIVE ENTHUSIASTS TALK SURF.
Who are you, where are you located?
Do you think surfboards will make you rich? Or are you already
Chris Chong and Dave Howell of MISFIT SHAPES. We are based
rich because you spend everyday working in an industry you
between the Northern Beaches of Sydney and the Northern Rivers of
love?
NSW.
I don’t think you go into the surfboard biz to become rich, you do it because you have a passion for board building. For me, being a
What makes Misfit unique in the world of surf brand normalcy?
shaper is about the challenge to find the perfect balance between
Let us refer you to our company mantra shall we - “Misfit Shapes
speed and maneuverability, performance and fun, and the millions
represents an authentic response to an era of change, a ‘surf’ stemmed
variables that surfboard design has in it. If that makes you rich along
movement that allows art, design and individuality to co-exist within
the way, then power to you, we just want to stay passionate, excited
a realm more commonly dominated by conformity and observation.
and satisfied with what we do...
We are not bound by a single leader or manifesto, but rather a bold commitment to pushing the limits of this well-oiled machinery of surf.
If you could put anything on the bottom of a surfboard what
The result is a rare collective of mildly deranged but high-powered
would it be?
misfits, potentially dangerous cultural agitators, and just about every
Are we referring to fin configuration, or concave, or artwork? If fins;
other kind of MAD MIND.”
we are still loving twins, but all setups have their day, if concave and curve; then it’s designing the perfect balance, if it’s art; then
How did you guys decide to partner up?
something big, bold and irreverent!
The time just felt right... we’d been concepting a greater release of the brand for a few years, we believed there was a gap in the market for
What’s next for surfboards and surfing?
what we were hoping to do, so in late 2009 we had to take the leap of
It appears that the movement of artificial waves is growing, and
faith and go all in..
although that can feel a touch “artificial” or impure, it is exciting because there is an element of design that does want to work with
How have you put your team together?
more controlled variables. Testing and development can become a
It’s all relationship based. We can honestly say we’ve never signed or
more efficient process when you’re surfing the same wave over and
aligned with anyone we didn’t know, support or believe in. This is a big
over again. The differences in the water (salt vs chlorine) and the
family, so we are protective of the dynamic and culture within the fold.
wave itself, is also an exciting space for development of new shapes and constructions.
While of course you are interested in making great surfboards, it seems like as a company, you have a lot of other interests? Art,
Is it the surfer, the board or the wave?
Fashion, etc.
Yeah, good question... I want to give you some philosophical answer
Yeah, the core of this biz is surfboards, that will never change, but our
about our own expectations and perspective on finding enjoyment
interests, and subsequently what we produce is far greater. We love art;
in surfing, but it’s simply about all three elements right... I’m yet to
from high design to wild lo-fi graphics, and we believe that surfboards,
see anyone surf without a board or waves, but boards and waves
clothing should be an expression of one’s creative interests, not just a
dont ride themselves. I will say this, good boards, or the right board
vessel to get tubbed on or a tee to cover your nips..
for the conditions is king, but a perfect wave can be ridden on almost anything, so maybe it is about the individual after all?! Ha,
What is the best thing that has come out starting Misfit for you to personally? The people. We love the products we make, you won’t anyone more passionate about what they produce, but the people that we have met, be it from our loyal customers that order our boards, to the media, retailers, industry we are a part of. Our lives are far richer as a result of the relationships we have formed along the way.
who knows, I’ve got myself confused now...
