 | Having just completed the full shaping course, I feel it's important to post here for any surfers considering taking a shaping class: the course you get through Essence is an amazing experience and you should do this! A lot of shaping classes out there provide you with a pre-cut blank that you sand down a bit and then have someone else glass for you. Not here: with the Essence class, you will experience absolutely every aspect of creating your own surfboard, from skinning the blank all the way to doing your own artwork -- Gene will help as much or as little as you like, according to your comfort level. As he put it, you will start a little bit Bob Vila (jigsaw and planer in hand), and end a little bit Da Vinci -- when you finish each session you'll be really dusty, amazed by what you've learned, and grinning ear to ear. Aside from being a terrific guy to work with, Gene is that rarest of types in today's soulless, machine-made world: a truly talented craftsman. And that is something. This guy cares about surfers, he cares about producing quality work, and he cares about teaching his students the skills they need to begin producing their own surfboards. It makes me happy to know he's out there, and I look forward to having his help as I begin to build on the skills that he taught me. Don't hesitate to take this class, you'll be glad you did! Keith Dixon |