IG: @tommytanaka_surfboards
Over 25 years of passionately shaping boards
Tommy Tanaka has been building surfboards for over 25 years.
His greatest role model? His own father, who introduced him to shaping as a teenager.
Growing up, Tommy was also inspired by essential figures like Ben Aipa , Carl Schaper , Cino , Kashiwai and of course Glenn Pang .
Even today, he draws his inspiration from the beauty of the nature that surrounds him, to breathe life and harmony into each of his creations.
A sleek style, serving pure gliding
Tommy likes simple, clean and fluid lines.
Each curve must blend perfectly with the next, to offer surfers a smooth, natural, and effortless ride.
Thanks to his numerous collaborations with talented and passionate surfers, Tommy has been able to refine his approach and develop a keen sense of what works technically and what provides real sensations underfoot.
His greatest strength? Translating his clients' words and feelings into boards that seem made for them, from the very first wave.
A humble and sincere pride
“In Hawaii, there are so many good shapers,” Tommy says.
"It's a huge honor for me to see my name on surfers' boards."
What inspires him every day is seeing all kinds of riders , from enthusiasts to professionals, feeling happy about his creations. His family is also an inexhaustible source of motivation and gratitude.
Each board he shapes is a privilege and a source of genuine joy .
The future: always creating the "magic board"
Tommy Tanaka never stops exploring new ideas , always listening to the needs of his customers to create their next magic board .
His passion is palpable, his stoke is contagious — and it’s exactly this spirit that makes him a valued member of the T&C Surf Designs family .
Mahalo Tommy for your talent, your humility, and your incredible dedication to the art of surfboard shaping.
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