Interview with Jordi Palma Palmer Shaper custom tables

- What is your job to Palmer?
The "normal" work of any shaper, design of all ranges, tuning and exchanging ideas with my team, try new materials and new technologies to improve strength to weight ratio. Development of new prototypes ... and of course, be up to date on what do the other brands ..

- How can we recognize your shapes?
For a couple of years we are working hard with roker modifying parameters (V, V double concave, double concave and concave). When you see a table palmer by the hull can be seen very easily this work, I think more than any other custom, and supesto lot more than any chart series.

- Can be a good shaper even without surfing?
Well no idea, I ask you would have a shaper of not flying, but I think something like a painter who was blind .....

- When did you start shapear?
In 94 I made my first table.

- Who taught you to shapear?
I started with Jo François (jo's boards) in 91, I learned the basics of composite materials. A shapear learned by himself ....

- Do you still remember your first shape? Did anything good?
Of course I remember, even surfing and is "durita". It was a copy of a swell Copello, but sized to 264 x 56, the truth is that navigates joke, I think it was a special measure for the time in which the wave boards did not exceed 54 of the manga i of the race 58 ....

- What experiences have been important in your career as a shaper?
I think a lot; navigate very actively compete world cup (before shaper) which opened many doors. But I think the most important was the collaboration with Eduardo Bellini in the late 95 to 2000. Eduardo did a great job, both results (runner-up speed of 1999. Top ten in race and slalom course for several seasons) and development of the tables ....

- How many tables you shapeado up today?
On a 500, but really, when I see interviews Flipo shapers who say they are 3000, 6000, 12000 shapes. 3000 tables do not mean to 150 boards a year for 20 years .... Yep we assume that no one takes both 100% and that the first years of life are a few tables shaper, as people work alone and do not know, because I really think there is some ghosting in these figures , even if your name is Marco Copello and Peter Thommen.

- How long takes to make a table?
We can do in 5 days if urgent lot, so desirable, is starting it a week early and finish late next ....

- Do you need knowledge of hydrodynamics to be a good shaper?
I think not, have to be very intuitive and very little hands ...

- Why the standard tables change every year? Is this a reasonable evolution?
This question is not for me, but according to programs, marketing is everything, sometimes not ...

- Each year the tables are a little different, do you think that the shapes of the past will be repeated one day?
I think not. The evolution of the brand tables basically the rig (mast-sail-boom) .. Does anyone want to sail with the rig of the year 85? Arrrrghhhh .....

- You know how it will work before you test a table?
No, but you sense when you leave a "black leg", but until the evidence, na naa ....

- Do you work alone or with a team?
In the workshop are two long ....

- Shapeas custom tables for the general public or only for team riders?
Shapeo for everyone who wants a Palmer

- For what famous riders have shapeado tables?
Eduardo Bellini, Ivan Aguado, Nino Navarro, in the late 90's, windsurfing Spanish golden age. Currently I have a large group of riders at the regional partners ...

- How important is the fact of knowing the customer-rider to make a good board?
Much, you have to have an exchange of views with the surfer to understand what you are looking for ....

- What fascinates you in the shaping?
Try new things, both design and materials ....

- Where do development and testing of the tables?
Basically here in Catalonia, as usual spots Pals, Malgrat, Castelldefels, are a good reference, especially if we think that 90% of surf boards in these spots. We also go far to the south of France, Canet, St Cyprien, i Cap d'Agde which work very well with E and SE winds

- What is your favorite windsurfing spot around the world?
I have sailed in many places, and I would not know which. I have very fond memories of Kanaha (Maui), Hookipa not so radical a tad when you're not very good .. Malgrat course is one of my favorites. Although there is much choppy, there are always those epic days only caught the premises that make you to be saved in memory ...

- Shapeas with background music? What kind?
No, there is enough noise in the shop i do not hear anything ..

- What aspects of your personality do you think helps you be a good shaper?
Meticulous and perfectionist ...

- Do you lead personally test the tables and let the riders do it for you?
Whenever I work on a new line shape, the first thing I do is make me one for my ...

- What is it that keeps you motivated?
So that after all you have to make a living and what better to do with something you like ......

- What is your favorite discipline in windsurfing?
The Race (slalom-formula) to compete, waves to enjoy ...

- What do you think about the kite?
It seems perfect for such conditions as that ... And while it has brought much controversy windsurfer, kiteboarder cohabitation, I think it is a sport very interesting ...

- Can you give us some tips for choosing table?
Well ................. not!! depend on the level, the usual spot, the weight of rider .. many factors to consider ..

- What can we expect in the Palmer design this season? What's new for 2007?
Tables with a balanced super construction and finish excellent and very easy to navigate while highly reactive ..

- How is your lifestyle, you feel lucky? What does a typical day in your life?
If I'm lucky, I work like everyone else and if there is good ratillo I escape, if I catch good party all day .. hehe ...

- Looking ahead, what are your goals?
Well do not look far ahead, not what three years ago from here ....

- Do you think you can build a table to break the barrier of 50 knots?
Personally I think the speed limit is not material, is a sailor, when you leave a windsurfer that is very good (at least in speed) to 2.30m in height and 150 kg, it sure gets the record with some "easy" ... Even with standard table ......

Jordi Palma
Palmer Custom Tables
www.jplboards.com