A portrait of Wenzel, an Italian surfboard shaper based in Fuerteventura, whose philosophy is rooted in simplicity: every board works as long as it suits the surfer’s level and style. His process is a quiet dialogue between craftsmanship and intuition, where each board is shaped with a balance of honesty, precision, and a deep understanding of the connection between rider and wave.
Shaped by the sea
Portrait
Exploring the Soul of Surfboard Shaping
Wenzel’s workshop on Fuerteventura became the setting for a detailed exploration of surfboard shaping as both art and craft. His philosophy—that every board can work when it aligns with the surfer’s level and style—guides his meticulous process. Through honest conversations with his clients, Wenzel creates boards that are not just functional but personal, crafted to enhance the surfer’s connection to the ocean. Over several days, I captured his rhythm, his tools, and the soulful relationship he builds with each board.
Shaping Time – Observing the Process, Finding the Person
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Over several days in Wenzel’s workshop, I watched each step of the shaping process—how raw foam slowly became something precise, functional, and beautiful. Nothing was rushed. Each board told its own story in the making. Being there, day after day, allowed the camera to disappear. The final interview wasn’t planned—it happened naturally, once trust had settled in. What emerged was more than insight into a craft. It was a quiet, honest conversation about intuition, patience, and what it means to make something that’s meant to move with someone else.
"A portrait of Wenzel, an Italian surfboard shaper who believes that every board works—if it’s crafted with honesty and shaped to the surfer’s true self."
