579 - Max Stewart: Eye Symmetry Surfboards

·1 hr 46 min·5 clips

How did an unknown shaper create boards for Hector Santamaria's flips and Tom Carroll's opposite style?

The episode opens with host David Scales introducing Max Stewart of iSymmetry Surfboards, noting his discovery through clips of pros Hector Santamaria and Tom Carroll riding his boards. Stewart explains how he met Tom Carroll through proximity in Sydney and their ongoing, though recently quiet, collaboration. He describes Carroll's unique board preferences, rooted in a pre-thruster era, which are unsuitable for 95% of consumers. Stewart outlines his holistic approach to board design, comparing himself to a doctor diagnosing a patient's entire history rather than just symptoms. He recounts his entry into board building, inspired by garage tinkering and his father's craftsmanship, and his academic success before choosing shaping over university. His early career involved persistently bugging the factory manager at Hayden Shapes for a job, where he worked for about three years, eventually pushing for full epoxy construction. After a falling out with Hayden over travel plans, Stewart left to start iSymmetry. At age 22, he used $50,000 in savings to bootstrap his own factory in Brookvale, describing the effort as a rocket fighting to reach orbit. He built business through word-of-mouth and a parallel production glassing service for other shapers. Stewart defines quality in surfboard manufacturing, emphasizing high-quality blanks, epoxy resin, skilled lamination, precise fin setting, and careful sanding. He notes that consumers often can't visually identify quality, relying instead on reputation. The discussion covers his current small team, including glasser Mike Salakis and shaper Simon Anderson, and the economic challenges of running a coastal business post-COVID, with rising costs outpacing price increases. Stewart details his 80-20 twin board design, inspired by Sean Stussy but with modern tweaks, featuring subtle concaves and specific rocker. He admits to surfing less frequently now due to business and family priorities, preferring board building over surfing. The conversation touches on surf media, with Stewart consuming less but noting the impact of series like Stab in the Dark. He reveals ongoing contact with Kelly Slater's management about potential board collaborations, having previously avoided approaching Slater directly to not be intrusive.

As heard by us

A focused, craft-minded episode about the small build choices that shape how a surfboard rides.

Surf Splendor’s conversation with Max Stewart makes surfboard design feel less like gear talk and more like a close read of touch, timing, and judgment.

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Why you'd press play

If you want to know why a few degrees of fin placement can change how a surfboard works.

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