Todd Pinder

Interview by Glenn Sakamoto

Todd Pinder is a talented surfer/shaper living and working on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Raised in Florida and Key West to a maritime family and influenced by a number of craftspersons, Todd honed his shaping skills at an early age. His skill at surfboard building from start-to-finish has taken him from making boards for Joel and Tosh Tudor to gaining mentorship from Joe Quigg. We caught up with Todd to learn more.

Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like?

I was born in Coral Gables, Florida. As a boy I grew up doing all kinds of things: fishing, hunting, camping, sailing and motocross. When I was 11 or 12 we moved to Key West where my Dad grew up, this move probably most shaped me into what I am today.

Who did you look up to and admire when you were a child?

My Dad was really involved and taught me a lot of things. Not just about hunting, fishing or riding a motorcycle – but with tools and hands-on experiences. He was always making improvements or had some project going on around the house. I also learned about working on cars. My first car at 15 was a CJ7 Jeep that he had rebuilt himself.

Tell us about your first surfboard.

That would be a Ricky Carroll 6’3 thruster that I bought when I was about 14 from Spectrum Surf Shop. Ricky, ironically, was the first production shaper I ever got to talk to at 15 at the Surf Expo. Spectrum was also where I got my first job in a factory doing ding repair at the fledgling age of 19.

Who/What inspired you to begin shaping? 

I wouldn’t say it was a specific person or thing – it’s like things added up and, of course, timing. I knew I wanted to surf and before I shaped my first board at 17, I was already doing ding repair, making skimboards and such. 

My great uncle was a master carpenter and boat builder, his boat yard was the last one in Key West before it closed. He gave me his Skil planer that he bought in 1953 (used) when he heard about me wanting to make surfboards. He heard that the Skil was the planer of choice. My father's high school friend owned a boatyard on Stock Island, where I got little jobs and learned more about working with fiberglass. 

But most important was my high school art teacher, he was one of the few that surfed in Key West and he introduced me to what would be my first sensei in the art of shaping ( and whom I bought my first longboard from at 15). His name was “Jimmah” and yep, as you would imagine, he was a character with a name like that. Mostly a sailboarder, which brought him to Key West, he also made surfboards. Before that, he ran South Sailboards when windsurfing was booming. All that was all gone by the time I met him and he just had a shaping room left in his garage. Besides learning how to shape, Jimmah also taught me about the islands as he lived 3-4 years on Maui during the 1980’s and worked with shapers like Jimmy Lewis and Ed Angulo. These stories set in my mind basically set the path to my future.

Tell us about Key West and the generations of your family that lived there.

My family moved to Key West from the Bahamas in the early 1800s. In fact, my family was on the first US Census in 1840. So it’s obvious that my family has been in the maritime for a long time – whether it be fishing and diving commercially, building boats or being captains. My other great uncle was the captain of the Western Union, the last Schooner to be built in Key West. 120 feet long with a bow sprint. His job was to lay telephone cable through the Caribbean, run by Western Union Telegraph.

What do you love about living and working in Hawaii?

Being in the birthplace of surfing is pretty cool. Having grown up on an island, I have the same mentality so it just fits. Just being able to do what I do now, knowing where I came from –  makes this place special.

Your wife is Japanese and you have a loyal following in Japan for your boards. What are some things about Japan and its culture that you admire?

The food! But seriously the Japanese people are just very nice and respectful. I admire how much commitment they have towards what they are into. And of course it is also a beautiful country with deep culture (and with great surf, too).

Who do you consider influential in surfboard design?

My all-time influence is Uncle Joe Quigg – hands down! I’ve only known him for the past 4-5 years, but the more I learn about all the firsts Joe has done during his time – it's crazy. Uncle Joe is probably the most influential shaper in history and not just just surfboards but canoes and Cats as well. 

Recently, Joel Tudor has been a pretty good influence. The thing with him is that there’s no bullshit with Joel. The knowledge he has is because he either has owned it, ridden it or knows the guy who made it and  probably hung out with him. Joel really respects the past and gives praise to the guys before us.

What types of boards are you shaping? What is your most popular model?

A lot of takes on old boards: Logs, gliders, eggs, and a lot of twins when the waves get under 7 feet. In the last few years my “POPE” (Protege of Phil Edwards), which was the first board I made for Tosh, is quite popular. It's a longboard based off of an old Phil Edwards Honolulu board.

What’s a typical day in the life of Todd Pinder?

Wake up at 5-ish, have a coffee, head to Bowls or wherever is good and surf until 7:30 or 8:00. Head home for breakfast, more coffee and get to the shop at 9-ish and work ‘till 5-ish. Then it’s home for dinner and hang with the wife and kids. I’m really blessed.

What is your favorite board? Your favorite surf spot?

When Bowls or Threes is working and overhead my 7’4 Machine is my go to right now.

What's your favorite meal after a day’s surf or all day shaping?

My wife makes killer handmade gyoza. Along with a beer, it's all I need.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Classic rock, punk, jazz, roots reggae. A lot of times I listen to KTUH collage radio. They have great sets and their DJs really know their genres.

What are you most grateful for? Any shout-outs?

Obviously my family for supporting my path in life, my wife who always believes in me even when I don’t, and of course, my customers.

What’s next for Todd Pinder and Pinder Hawaii?

Just keep surfing and shaping and improving my craft and ability!

To order a custom, contact Todd at 808-946-SURF (7873) or email info@pinderhawaii.com.  You can follow him on Instagram @pinderhi or visit  www.surfboardsbytoddpinder.com

Find out more about photographer Matt Luttrell and his magazine Trim here.