drift, perspectives in surfing

Words: Jair Bortoleto

& Photos: Felipe Siebert

Master wood shaper Felipe Siebert and I are about to release a limited edition surfboard. This project is the first collaboration between an shaper and an artist here in Brazil to create an artist signature model,  and I hope it paves the way for many more.

Siebert is the best wooden surfboard maker in Brazil and his work is amazing. He has a degrees in biology and engineering and uses both disciplines in his work. His boards are like voracious fishes in need of water and also are pieces of pure engineering, intrinsically beautiful and technically exquisite.

This special model is a hollow wood 5′8 keel fish–the fastest board that you can imagine.

The collaboration also incorporates two American artists: Grammy Award nominee Jesse Ledoux and Californian Dustin Ortiz, who designed the deck logo and the botton logo, respectively. These two artists are huge inspirations for me and their help was crucial to this project.  I am stoked to work with them and make a connection between Brazil and the US in surfing and in art. I designed the final elements of the the board, the color tint work, and added a few special details.

The idea is to have a functional piece of art that you can hang on your wall to appreciate and also have a classic board with a lot of drive and inspiring speed to use in the water.

Only 20 boards will be made, signed and numbered by Felipe. In addition, each person who purchases the board will also get an original signed print as a gift from me.

The board will be released next month. Check back here on my Drift Blog for more details.