Our Love Machine boards have been flying out and with new ones just arrived! For those of you interested in our range of Love Machine Surfcraft we wanted to drop a little bit more information behind the process and the shaper Ryan Lovelace. Ryan talks openly of Man & Machine and how Love Machine can offer his shapes on a global scale without the need for imports or hand shaping lead times. The very best of British surfboard manufacturers Colab Surf have indeed collaborated with Ryan to offer Lovelace shapes to the original design and finish specifications.
We are honoured to stock them. Check in with the boards here and let us know if you want a particular board.
Words by Ryan Lovelace
I truly enjoy hand shaping surfboards. Maybe I’m an idealist. Definitely a glutton for punishment, and probably a workaholic. When I was little I always assumed that ‘things’ were created by the people who’s names were on them - not so much major commodities like toilet paper or cars, more like the ‘things’ that were really special to us. The art that I was surrounded with, the house I was raised in, the go-karts my brother and I hurt ourselves in; All came from the hands of people I knew, and the community that I was surrounded by.
I shaped over 5,000 custom boards by hand by 2019. I am humbled and beyond fortunate to have grown into such a supportive community of friends and customers.
HOW WE USE THE MACHINE
In the context of Lovemachine, the replication of specific surfboards and the ability to re-make them with reliability is my chosen focal point. I believe it is the best use of technology with respect to this very special culture and tradition that we are a part of.
Surf culture is shrouded in images of shapers with big silver planers in hand-shaping all of their boards, but since the late 90's thats rarely been an honest representation. From a shaper standpoint, until we clearly define and honestly communicate what we are doing, we can't offer an honest product to the world.
The hand shaping process for me means creative freedom and the opportunity to express years of experience in a surfboard for someone; it's a unique experience that nets a unique product and takes decades to master. Hand and machine shaping are two different processes and should be held in their own regard. There is no more debate over which is better - it should be a discussion on how they are different and how we can utilize both methods best.
Hand shaping surfboards for the past 18 years has given me my worldview, time to think, ways to connect with surfers and builders all over; it is an undeniably special process that I’ll never let go of in my custom work.
Using modern technology to replicate some of those boards allows Love Machine to recreate those favorite boards under a unique umbrella, all over the world.
The goal is to deliver these designs with complete transparency and sincerity, while allowing my hand shaping practice to remain totally intact and true.
I hope there's something here that fills a hole in your quiver that you’ve been wanting to try out - and if not you can always connect with me for a custom hand shape!
Ryan Lovelace
Check in with our current offering of Love Machine Craft by Ryan Lovelace and Colab Surf.