Go Low with Micky Nagai
I’m getting one–the response I get when anyone tries my 6"4 Go Low egg. This board was my first "short board" after a long hiatus on surfing anything but a longboard, and it is magical. A group of us had just booked a trip to El Salvador and after multiple trips of renting boards while travelling, it was decided that something needed to travel with me that I actually liked. I called Micky, and thank god, he agreed to make me a board in a ridiculously short amount of time before we left. The thing absolutely flew and I vowed then and there that Micky would be shaping my boards from here on out.
If you follow @boardsbymick you’ll notice that he’s mostly making “alternative” and long boards, you’re not going to find any traditional short boards in this shaper’s shop. Lots of these shapes are inspired by the past with some added imagination that you might only find with him. We sat down with Micky to see where he gets his inspiration from and what he’s been up to. Enjoy.
What’s going on Micky? What have you been up to lately?
Hey, it’s summer so I’ve been busy. Getting out of town a lot to see friends and family, camping, surfing, riding my motorcycle and trying to take adventures as they come.
What sorts of boards have you been shaping?
Lots of longboards lately. Everyone wants to be a noserider these days.
Where do you get your inspiration from for your shapes?
I love the 60’s– early 70’s era. A lot of the boards were made by really good surfer/shapers and the shortboard transition came on full speed. There was a beautiful time stylistically when guys were chopping down their logs into what we now call mid-lengths. I think a lot of shapers just grazed over that and ended up at the sub 6” shortboard. I have nothing against that, and for really talented athletes that grow up in the surf, the modern shortboards is definitely where it’s at but, I really think people are starting to realize how useful these mid boards are for the average surfer and people that are looking for flow over flair.
Long story short. I am inspired by boards that get me waves. I have no interest in rubbing elbows with guys with stickers on their boards.
Is there a reason you shape the boards you do rather than shaping short boards?
I kinda touched on that up there but I guess I just shape what I do because no one else does it here. I have always liked single fins and twin fins but I guess the ones I want never show up on the surf shop racks in Tofino.
Do you try to shape boards specifically for the waves here in Tofino or are you just experimenting to see what might work?
Tofino surf gets really good at times but more often we end up with a lot of mushy slope so I definitely keep that in mind for every board I make. It's gotta work when it gets good but it's also gotta work when it's not otherwise what's the point? Simple bottoms seem to be what works for me. Flat or light concave and maybe a little V out the tail. Channel bottoms and hulls generally won't be found on the boards I make for local waves.
Is there a tight line between what someone asks for in a board compared to what you think it should be? Or is that a pretty open process?
Oh man, it really depends on the person. Some people are really honest about what their abilities are and some people are living in fantasy land. I do like to try to accommodate what people want but if you can't explain to my why you think a certain thing needs to be in the design in a way that actually make sense beyond “I saw this video of Ryan Burch surfing a 5” twin keel fish on this epic barreling left hand point brake in Chile so i really want a twin keel fish that I can surf at pumping cox bay this winter.”
People need to get it out of their head that they need to be riding what top pros and their corporate sponsors are marketing to you. Yes those surfers are amazing, their boards are highly refined and they are taking surfing to the next level but, I just don’t think that's realistic for the majority of the people in the wate
What gets you fired up to get into the bay and begin shaping a board for yourself?
It really doesn’t take much. I really like trying new things. There are so many variables involved in building boards, small changes in the outline or thickness flow or rail shape can have a huge impact on how a board rides. I get deep into the flow state when I am making personal boards. And just try to let go a bit and let intuition take the wheel. Personal boards go from start to finish very fast. It's not unusual for me to go from concept to waxed board in the water within 2 or 3 days.
Are you mostly experimenting when it comes to personal boards?
It's all experimenting. Like I said there are so many variables. Some shapers are legit scientists and they use their computers and machines to precisely tweak their designs to super close tolerances but even then, they are still experimenting with different curves, materials and finishing techniques. From a bit of life experience, the person who says they have it all figured out and isn’t in the experimental phase anymore, that's the guy with their head firmly secured up their ass.
How did you end up in Tofino?
I was living in Vancouver and coming out here a lot. I was super over the city so I would come here or go down to West Port in Washington whenever I could. One weekend I was here hanging with my buddy Tamo Campos who was making gelato at chocolate tofino while living in his bus. He mentioned that he was going to be leaving town before the end of summer and his employers weren't too stoked on his early departure. I mentioned that I might be interested in taking his job and the next day I had an interview and boom, I was in the gelato business. Moved into my van and started surfing my brains out. It's been 11 years.
How did it feel to work on and complete your shop yourself?
I have always loved building. It's just in my blood. My family is very blue collar and we have always done things ourselves or known the right person to ask. It just comes natural to me and I am very thankful to have been brought up with that DIY mindset.
Do you see that being a longer term home for your outfit or do you have plans to expand at all?
Man I just don't know. This little town is so magical but also so over blown. As I am in the back half of my 30’s I am starting to think a little more about comforts and security and the life I'd like to live when I'm older. I'm a huge introvert so expanding and being more “out there” just doesn't sound like fun to me. I feel like a lot of my heroes exist on the fringe of society, not really in it for the money or the fame, just living in the moment. There have been plenty of successful sell outs but for better or worse, I think I will always prefer to remain in the shadows.
Local Knowledge
Favourite Beach: Cox
Favourite surfer(s): Skip Frye I could watch him do nothing on an 11’ glider all day.
Favourite Board Shape: depends on the day but you can usually find me on a longboard or a variation of a single fin egg or mini gun.
Favourite Coffee: Foggy Bean
Favourite Aprés Surf Pint: You are more likely to find me rolling up a spliff than cracking a beer.
Favourite Food: Adriana's Sandwich Shop
