Born in Rio Brazil, Mauricio Gil (aka MG) followed his dream to travel the world surfing and to make surfboards for a living.In doing so, he’s been schooled by some of the best in the business and has made surfboards for the likes of Buttons, Johnny Boy Gomes, Larry Bertelman, Mick Fanning and Clay Marzo. Learnt from two legendary master shapers Donald Takayama and Greg Clough. MG started shaping boards in Australia and then spent 15 yrs in California and Hawaii shaping under the Aloha label. After selling the Aloha licence, MG moved back to OZ and started the now iconic label; MG Surfboards. Here is what MG had to say…

How did you get into shaping or decide to make a career from it?
I was a young boy in Brazil back in the mid 70’s.I became fascinated about surfing and surfboards. I used to hang out in factories and just surf and work. Over time I became intrigued with the art of making surfboards and so one day I decided to shape my own board at the age of 14. Since then my love for the art of surfing and shaping grew and grew until after finishing my university in business administration, I decided to move to California and start making surfboards. After 25 years in Cali, I moved to Australia with my wife and family and started shaping here in a rad little bay in Mona Vale.

Who were your mentors?
I was fortunate to have both Donald Takayama and Greg Clough as my mentors as I learnt about pretty much everything in the surfboard business from those two really knowledgeable guys. They taught me about the whole business side and the shaping side of things. Donald is half Hawaiian, half Japanese and Cloughy is like the true blue Aussie bloke so I’ve kind of taken what I learnt from each of them and put it all together into the one package.

Describe the first board you shaped?
When I was 12 years old I had a Styrofoam board and I clearly remember thinking, “Man, how can I shape one of these boards”? They when I was 14 yrs old my father brought me a blank and I shaped my first board, I glassed it and everything (it wasn’t to bad of a attempted for a 14 yr old haha, but defiantly had no resale value) and after that I started, so I’ve been shaping now for 27 years.
 
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Surfing, surfers (new and old school), watching surf videos, getting on my computer and drawing new designs. As a shaper you need to gain inspiration from all aspects of surfing, as understanding where it begun and where it has gone, will give insight of where it will go next. I also froth on watching surfers ability improve with each of my boards. It’s like creating a master piece haha

Who have you shaped boards for over the years?
I have been extremely lucky to be a the forefront of surfboard shaping over the years as I have made boards for Clay Marzo, Buttons, Jonny Boy Gomes, Larry Bertelman and Mick Fanning “just to name a few”, but I have also make for plenty of local shredders.

What have you been working on lately?
My focus is to get my shapes as cutting edge as possible, I’m really amped with my boards right now so I’m re-doing team riders etc. You know how it is, I’m in the process of re-launching myself so I’m focused on the marketing and the team riders and all that, it’s a challenge but it’s fun watching as the whole thing takes its form.
 
What makes your boards better then the rest?
I believe my attention to detail from: Shaping, Glassing, Materials and understanding what customers (the surfers) wants out of a board. This sets me apart from the rest since each board a surfer gets from me, their surfing ability grows or improves (this is known as a shaper-surfer relationship), and is a element in surfing that has changed as surfers are riding imports or just buying off the shelf.
 
I also focus on delivering the best customer service by really spending time with each surfer until I know what they are looking for and then I have a very quick turn around as far as delivering my boards. Each board is made of high quality materials and

years of refining my workmanship as a shaper. Not to mention the shapes of my boards are the ultimate in contemporary designs.

Where do you see the future of shaping (e.g. board design, materials)?
I see a good future with many innovations including better shaping machines with good programs utilising hydro-dynamic analysers’ amongst an array of other formulated offerings. I believe there will be better professional surfing associations that will include better prize money to surfers, which will push surfers harder and harder on a performance level.
 
I see a future of better materials to build stronger and more manoeuvrable surfboards, surf reports will be improved...your imagination could go ballistic!

What words of wisdom would you pass down for inspiring shapers?
You must have a love for surfing, surfboards and the design factory that goes into it, don’t just think you can hope on a computer and be the next big thing! You have spend time (days, months, years)

learning the formula’s that make surfboards work, you need to learn to use your eye and hands to make a board before you can use a computer to shape a board. The best shapers in the world can all shape boards by their hands and it’s a talent that makes us the best at what we do. So in hindsight, buy a planer and learn the tr

ue art form of shaping!

Anything you want to get off your chest?
I have tried pretty much everything that is out there in regards to epoxy, eps, xtr, and found that PU blanks and polyester resins still make the best boards!
 
Favourite shaping tools?
Shapers Block, Shapers Layout Ruler and my TEMPLATES!

Why do you use Shapers Fins?
Shapers Fins are at their forefront of design and materials. I have never met a company that is so opened minded about different designs and concepts.
There always looking to help Surfboard Shapers make the best boards and to give surfers the real opportunity to improve their surfing.


What are the benefits of Shapers Fins?
Ultra Professional. The highest quality and performance!
They are the best VALUE for MONEY over any other fin company!

Why should customers use Shapers Fins over all fin companies?
Because they stock the THREE MG MODELS
MGXI – For the Groms to Light Weight
MGXII – Mid to Heavy Surfers
MGIC – The Best QUAD Fin Set Around!

What is you favourite Shapers Fin Set(s)?
For me it has to be the MGXII
 
MG SURFBOARDS
Contact:  Mauricio Gil (aka MG)
Show Room - 4/527 Pitt Water Rd. Brookvale, NSW
Ph: 02 9939 3213
MOB: 0404 422811       
Email: mauricio@mgsurfboards.com       
Website: www.mgsurfboards.com