Interview Shaper Sebastian Wenzel, Fanatic Shaper
- What is your job to Boards and More?
As you know, I'm the shaper / designer Fanatic. As such, design the full line of Fanatic boards. I keep in close contact with the brand manager Craig Gertenbach and together we decide which direction to take the brand in the future. I am also in constant communication with our team, which continually receive feedback to improve the tables.
- Do you consider yourself an artist?
To be a good shaper will need several types of skills. It is a mixture of art, engineering and design. Also, my work is evolving rapidly. Since stopping shapear hand 2 years ago, design all my tables in the computer and shapeo with a CNC machine. Since then I spend more time in design with the computer and less shapeando hand. The results are fantastic.
- How can we recognize your shapes?
I think my shapes are generally quite accessible. I try to get a balanced design where every detail is in harmony with all. This means that I use smooth curves that work hand in hand to create the table. The CAD software I'm using is very helpful in this aspect!
- Can be a good shaper even without surfing?
I think it's very difficult - really it helps me be able to test all the tables myself. The input is obtained directly accelerating the evolution of the shape.
- When did you start shapear?
Shapear started in 1981. I made my first board because he could not pay a new standard table and then set all the tables were too large.
- Who taught you to shapear?
I learned by myself by reading every book I could find on shaping and building boards.
- Do you still remember your first shape? Did anything good?
Of course - that's something you can never forget. That time was quite short and had negative rocker. He had two in a row and ripped fins very well to plan - I enjoyed that table.
- What experiences have been important in your career as a shaper?
Being able to work with the best windsurfers in the world is a great experience. Shapear tables for the riders of the team and see them win competitions with them is fantastic. But it is also very rewarding to make good boards for windsurfers enjoy normal. I love seeing people out of the water with a smile on his face.
- How many tables you shapeado up today?
Hard to say - although I have a record of each table that I shapeado since 1993. Overall I would say that surely I shapeado over a thousand tables.
- How long takes to make a table?
This really depends on the size. But the work has changed since the design tables with the computer and the CNC machine shapea.
- Do you need knowledge of hydrodynamics to be a good shaper?
As the performance of a sailboard having to do with the plan, hydrodynamics is not as important. And it's very difficult to simulate. The flap is another story, as it is completely submerged, hydrodynamics becomes important.
- Why the standard tables change every year? Is this a reasonable evolution?
We constantly improve our designs trying to make better boards. If significantly improve an existing table, put it on the market earlier this year. But sometimes a successful design remains on the market for 2 years. The market and consumer desires are changing and we have to react to that. Now the CAD represents a new opportunity to improve our shapes.
- Each year the tables are a little different, you think that the shapes of the past will be repeated one day?
I think not. We work constantly to improve them in the tables year after year. This is an evolution!
- You know how it will work before you test a table?
We know what direction we are working. I have an idea of how it should work, but it is not possible to know the benefits of a table until you've tested. If I knew in advance the likely response of each design would make a prototype only a model. But actually produce many more protos and tried many innovations before delivering a shape for production.
- Do you work alone or with a team?
To prepare the prototypes I have the help of a friend who competes in racing in Germany. In R & D work closely with our manager Craig Gertenbach
- Do you collaborate with other shapers?
No.
- Shapeas custom tables for the general public or only for team riders?
Yes, everyone can have your table. No problem.
- For what famous riders have shapeado tables?
Francisco Goya, Steve Allen, Victor Fernandez, Jonas Ceballos, Bernd Flessner, Ralf Bachschuster, Pieter Bijl, Cyril Moussillmani
- How important is the fact of knowing the customer-rider to make a good board?
It is clear that it helps because you have to talk less to know what you need. If you make a table for someone you do not know, you have to spend some time with him to discover what you really want.
- What fascinates you in the shaping?
The combination of art and numbers.
- Where do development and testing of the tables?
My shop is here in Portugal near Guincho. We do testing around the world in all conditions. Capetown, Maui, ...
- What is your favorite windsurfing spot around the world?
Guincho I love it, but I also liked Barbados and of course Maui.
- Shapeas with background music? Of what kind?
Not usually, sometimes I listen to the radio - we have good radio stations here in good Drum and Base, House, etc. ..
- What aspects of your personality do you think helps you be a good shaper?
Well, I try to be very precise and keep track of everything I do. (I used to write many times using each coarse sandpaper.) I've always loved numbers and crafts. Designing windsurfing boards is a good blend of creativity and science - I like that.
- Do you lead personally test the tables and let the riders do it for you?
The testing of the boards I do it in collaboration with team riders. I try to navigate with all the prototypes at least once.
- What is it that keeps you motivated?
Find the perfect shape and make good boards for our clients and our team. And so can surf and enjoy the beauty of our sport.
- What is your favorite discipline in windsurfing?
Waves, of course! I've been a professional rider for 10 years and the wave discipline has always been my favorite. Even Germany was runner-up to wave several times. In those days also used to compete in slalom and course.
- What do you think about the kite?
Each does what he likes.
- Can you give us some tips for choosing table?
The most important thing is to evaluate your skills and the conditions under which you will use the table. Then you think that benefits you have your board. For example, you want to go fast but easily controlled jibe. Once you've decided what your table should be able to do, the choice is easy. It is advisable to test the tables you intend to buy or check tests magazines. After this you will have a clear idea of the table you want.
- What can we expect in the design of the new season Fanatic? What's new for 2007?
Well you can take a look at the Web www.fanatic.com have been presented where the Falcon and AllWave 2007.
- How is your lifestyle, you feel lucky? What does a typical day in your life?
I get up in the morning and let the kids ready to go to school. After breakfast I go to the office, check my mails, I make phone calls, etc ... After that I usually go to the shop to work in the protos. When I finish at the workshop back to the office where I check my email and usually in the afternoon / evening I am dedicated to designing with the computer. I also travel a lot to test, check to make promotion and production. Thus, every day is different.
And of course if there are good conditions on the beach I adapt my schedule a bit and I took a session of waves.
- Looking ahead, what are your goals?
Always do the best boards.
- You think you can build a table to break the barrier of 50 knots?
Yes, sure. But I think the challenge now depends on the design of the wing, fin and of course the rider. And above all, the conditions must be perfect!
Sebastian Web: www.sebastian-wenzel.com
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