Collaborate | Rocky Rights

Working with others

a collection of boards made with friends

Blue

"Shaping my surfboard was one of the funnest things I have ever done especially since I had just been learning to surf, being able to see something start from nothing and turn into something so epic that I could actually surf on, being on the water with my board that we had made was the best feeling ever and I want to do it all over again with new ideas and shapes for a board"

-17 years old

Kawelo

"Shaping was something that’s always been on my bucket list. Donovan made it happen with me. It is a 5’9 fish that I gave to my sister, an absolutely beautiful board. I definitely learned how hard it is to pay attention to every minute detail in these projects. Even though Donovan ended up doing more then half of it, the parts I did help on were awesome I learned small details can lead to the board being awesome to ride or super hard."

-17 years old

Teo

I haven't been able to reach Teo, but his board is still one of my favorites to this day. When he shaped this board, he was only about 13 years old. Considering I was 17 when I made my first board, he beat me by a landslide—about four years—and I couldn't be happier about it. He showed a lot of talent and genuine interest in the art of shaping from the start. It was a great experience teaching someone quite a bit younger than me, and I'd definitely like to replicate this board's resin work in the future.

-13 years old

Tai

"When I got the opportunity to shape my first board, it was exactly the Big Z and Cody experience I had hoped for, except instead of a fat penguin, it was one of my boys who I surfed with every morning before school. My board ended up becoming one of my favorite backside boards. The first time I took it out on a larger swell, I ended up getting a frontside barrel from the top of outside Pupukeas all the way to Gas Chambers. Magic boards don’t come by often, and definitely not on a first board, but with Donovan's help, I created one for myself and will cherish it always."

-18 years old

Jack

"Shaping my own board was such an awesome experience. It was so cool going through all of the steps of making the board, such as sanding it down, glassing it, and even making my own design to put in the board. It really taught me a lot about how the surfboards I ride are made, and how much effort is actually needed to make a surfboard. I would love to do it again one day, and I am so glad I got the experience of shaping my own board."

-16 years old

Lucy

"Although I’ve been surfing my whole life, shaping was a super surreal experience for me. It’s something I knew I’d only ever experience once in my life and I was so amazed by the entire process. It really taught me how much detail goes into making a board; how each measurement could make a huge difference in the final product while on a wave. Shaping my own longboard really impacted how I see my other boards and even helped me improve my surfing. It built me a new appreciation for the art of shaping and opened my eyes to the hardworking and creative shaping community. If given the opportunity, I’d love to shape again."

-18 years old

"Donovan has some crazy talent and a love for the science of surfing that rivals his love for the art of it, which creates a real dreamy older fashion shaping style while not losing the high performance of this day and age. The North Shore of Oahu holds the greatest surfers and shapers in the world. for a new face to bring in his own style there and actually succeed, he’s got what it takes anywhere." -Tai