Shaper Profile. DUKE AIPA
DUKE AIPA SPENT AS MUCH TIME PLAYING WITH FOAM AS HE DID TOY-CARS GROWING UP, IN AND OUT OF HIS FATHER’S SHAPING BAY. HE IS THE YOUNGEST SON OF STORIED BEN AIPA, MASTER INNOVATOR, AND SHAPER. What does it mean to be the son of Ben Aipa? It used to be a heavy weight to even think about...son of Ben Aipa...named after his inspiration , the great Duke Kahanamoku...but it all boils down to perspective...I now view it as not being in my dads shadow...but living in his light.. I live my life in Aloha..just as my father did...and the Duke before him What motivates you to get in the water and go for a surf? Theres zero motivation...the ocean is where I find myself.. where I connect with my ancestors...where I get to create movement and participate in the freedom of the waves. Paint a picture of your childhood. What were your family dynamics, exposure to the ocean, and parental expectations like? We obviously were a surfing first family..and thats how we were raised. In the ocean before the sun came up...and getting out when the sun went down..surfing is who we were as a family. Did my dad want me to be world champ someday... yes..was that my path..No.. I had that freedom..the mobility to create and experience anything I wamnted to... There were no expectations..my parents supported me no matter what I got into...from surfing, to soccer, to ice skating, music..whatever I wanted to do they encouraged it. When and how did you begin shaping yourself? We grew up in factories and surf shops.. it was just a part of everyday life for us. So beginning? It was always there...every kid plays with their dads tools...our dads tools just happened to be shaping tools..Ultimately I would become his shaper towards the end of his career, and take over shaping his designs. I’ve had multiple people describe you as a big teddy bear. What makes you go from soft and cuddly to savage beast? You have to watch out for teddy bears...lol I do have a birthright...by namesake to perpetuate..being named after Duke Kahanamoku is a huge responsibility and with it an opportunity to be a source of Aloha that is fading from our growing sport. That’s not to say that I don’t teach a few “lessons” in the water..so what triggers me? You’ll have to Surf with me and find out.
