When it comes to accuracy, when attempting to re-create the specifications of a surfboard design, there is a lot to it.
Each of the eight skilled craftsmen who were invited to replicate the late Charlie Bunger’s design from the 1970’s era at this year’s 18th annual Florida Shape-Off held at the Orange County Convention Center on Jan. 9 confirmed this as fact.
Again, the highlight of the three-day 50th annual Surf Expo event, hosted by Ricky Carroll, owner of R&D Surf, and sponsored by US Blanks, this year’s competitors were all former winners of past events, dating back to 2008, when Carroll created the event with the help of Cocoa Beach resident Paul Eaton.
Matt Calvani, the lead shaper for Bing Surfboards, located in Gardenia, Calif., was the winner of the $2,000.00 prize, ahead of two East Coast shapers, Allen White (Allen White Surfboards), runner-up ($1,000), and Jim Hannan of Melbourne ($500.00), who took third.
Calvani was ecstatic and equally surprised by the win.
He explained that his detailed attention to include the specific dimensions of the rocker on this board was what he felt was key to his victory.
Carroll agreed.
“The difference here came down to the surfboard’s rocker, and Matt got it right, just perfect,” Carroll said.
“I am honored to be among so many talented shapers here,” said the 55-year-old, who has been a craftsman since he was a teen. “It’s been a while since I’ve been back here, everyone is so friendly.”
Calvani was the winner of the 2020 event, honoring the late and Florida icon, Dick Catri.
Allen White, of Cocoa Beach, who was the 2025 Shape-off winner, was originally chosen as an alternate to this year’s competition.
“I guess luck was on my side again,” said White, who has been shaping under his company, Allen White Surfboards.
Carroll’s announcement of third place came as an even bigger surprise to Jim Hannan, who has collected several checks during the last 15 years from the Expo Shape-Offs.
“I was honestly finding it difficult to even know where to start with such a limited amount of time with this unusual and unique board,” said Hannan. “I’ve been shaping for a long time, and this one was one of the most challenging I’ve had to replicate. I’m grateful and stoked to pick up a third-place finish here.”
Other shapers in this year’s Champions Challenge included: Stu Sharpe (Sharpe Surfboards), Scott Busbey (In the Eye Surfboards), Mike Whisnant (Whisnant Surfboards), Josh Peterson (Peterson Surfboards), Juan Rodriquez (One World Surfboards) and Bunger, who was inducted into the first East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame class in 1996, began shaping surfboards at age 20.
It was the summer of ’62 when Charlie officially moved Bunger Surfboard Factory to a 2,000 square foot factory in Lindenhurst, Long Island, and opened his first retail store in nearby Copiague, before expanding to a 4,000 square-foot Surf Shop in Babylon. Today, it is said to be the oldest of its kind.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Matt Calvani wins champions Shape-Off Challenge at 50th Surf Expo
