A Shaper’s Hand

The year 2020 to 2023 has become the spring of surfing in China’s surfing scene with surging numbers of surfers and more in-depth exploration of surfing culture. Although surfing is a western culture, the love for the ocean is universal. In the special context of China, I have witnessed how surfing pioneers strive to spread the power of this unique sport and lifestyle, or, mindset. Xiaowei is one of them. After studying shaping from Deus Ex Machina in Bali, he has not only learned the technique of shaping boards, but also the beauty of physics and chemicals. In this documentary, he is shaping a board named “Agung” which features his unique glassing style inspired by the Indonesian volcano Mt. Agung. In the sultry typhoon days in Hainan, he spent continuous 7 days in the studio. The result is a pure aesthetic.