ABOUT THE SHAPER

In the years leading up to COVID, I began working closely with legendary surfboard shaper Timmy Patterson. That relationship eventually led me to acquire the original DSD CNC shaping machine, a piece of equipment with an incredible history of its own. This was the same machine used over the years by Lost, Timmy Patterson, Rusty/Rumaner, and numerous other Southern California shapers. Bringing this machine into Crowd Control Surfboards helped take the operation to another level and brought our shaping capabilities in line with modern industry standards.

Since then, I’ve continued to expand my experience and knowledge by shaping and testing boards in both coasts of Australia, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Central America. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit and study the operations of numerous high-volume surfboard factories around the world, gaining firsthand insight into different manufacturing processes, materials, construction techniques, and production methods.

Today, Crowd Control boards are being delivered on a regular basis to surfers in Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, Costa Rica, El Salvador, California, Puerto Rico, and New England. Over the past three seasons, I’ve also had the opportunity to extensively test my equipment and designs throughout Indonesia, along with participating in surf-industry trips to Dubai, Japan, and Portugal.

That combination of hands-on shaping, international travel, real-world testing, and exposure to some of the best surfboard manufacturing operations in the world continues to influence everything I build at Crowd Control. Every board is an opportunity to refine the design, test the limits of construction, and create something that performs in the real world—not just on paper.

I’ve also had the privilege of competing in international shaping competitions, earning second-place finishes against top shapers from around the world. For me, those experiences are about more than competition—they’re an opportunity to continually challenge my designs, learn from other shapers, and push Crowd Control Surfboards forward.

Crowd Control Surf Co. Palm Beach, Florida

Brett Prinz