Breaking the Mold: Shyama Buttonshaw's Unconventional Journey from Competitive Surfer to Artistic Shaper
In a world where tradition often dictates destiny, Shyama Buttonshaw dared to chart his own course. Born into a family of celebrated artists, he defied expectations by diving headfirst into the world of competitive surfing. But here’s where it gets fascinating: his journey didn’t stop at riding waves. Shyama’s evolution into a surfboard shaper is a story of blending athleticism with artistry, tradition with innovation, and performance with passion. And this is the part most people miss—how his unique background has shaped not just boards, but an entirely new perspective on surfing.
Shyama’s early years were marked by ambition and athleticism. Standing at 6’0”, he was a force on the shortboard, competing in the pro junior circuit throughout his teens. His time riding for Simon Anderson laid a solid foundation in design, even before he began shaping boards himself. But it wasn’t until after high school that he truly immersed himself in the craft, apprenticing under Maurice Cole for ding repairs and learning the intricacies of shaping and laminating from Sean Nettleton, a master of the art. ‘In my opinion, he’s one of the best board builders in the world,’ Shyama reflects. ‘His quality is second to none.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: Shyama’s transition to longboarding wasn’t just a stylistic choice—it was born out of necessity. A severe knee injury while tow surfing forced him out of the water for sixteen months. During his recovery, he turned to longboards and alternative designs, seeking a style that wouldn’t strain his knee. ‘I just fell in love with all these feelings I hadn’t felt before,’ he recalls. ‘Fundamental feelings.’
Shyama categorizes surfboards into two types: passive and active. Shortboards, he explains, demand constant engagement to generate speed, while passive boards like longboards rely on trim and wave placement to harness the ocean’s energy. ‘When that happens, the board and the wave do all the work for you,’ he says. This philosophy has not only shaped his riding style but also his approach to design.
And this is the part that sparks debate: Shyama isn’t a purist. While he admires the beauty of traditional longboarding, he’s not afraid to blend styles, even if it raises eyebrows. ‘I don’t like it when it cross-pollinates a little too much and gets confused,’ he admits. Yet, his unique approach—throwing cheater fives and hanging toes in steeper parts of the wave—has earned him a reputation as a trailblazer. ‘It’s been a natural progression,’ he explains, crediting influences like Alex Knost for inspiring his experimental style.
As a shaper, Shyama’s designs reflect his dual passions for performance and artistry. His gliders, for instance, feature a continuous curve through the rocker, allowing riders to surf further forward in larger waves. ‘The sweet spot’s a lot larger,’ he notes. And while he uses pre-shapes for customer boards to ensure precision, his exploration work remains hands-on, a nod to his artistic roots.
Color, too, plays a pivotal role in Shyama’s work. Growing up in a family of artists, he’s acutely aware of its impact. ‘It’s the only thing that gives me direct instant gratification,’ he says. Drawing inspiration from Josef Albers’ The Interaction of Color, Shyama experiments with overlap tints, creating rails that evolve in response to their surroundings. ‘Even though the customer might not see it, for me, it’s a special little thing,’ he adds.
But here’s the question that lingers: In an age of social media, where every process is documented and shared, how does Shyama preserve the mystery of his craft? ‘There’s no sense of mystery anymore,’ he laments. ‘When everything is exposed, there isn’t that mystique.’ Yet, he navigates this tension with grace, sharing just enough to engage his audience while keeping the essence of his work sacred.
Shyama Buttonshaw’s journey is a testament to the power of blending tradition with innovation, athleticism with artistry, and performance with passion. Whether you’re a shortboard purist or a longboard enthusiast, his story challenges us to rethink what’s possible in the world of surfing. So, what do you think? Is Shyama’s approach a refreshing evolution or a departure from the roots of the sport? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
