Dylan Longbottom Interview: From Big Wave Charger to Shaper
Dylan Longbottom on going from big wave surfing and stunt work in Point Break to shaping boards like the RX5 under his own Dylan Surfboards brand.
In this article
- Hey Dylan! How's your day going?
- When did you start surfing and how did you get into it?
- Favourite break ever ridden?
- Can you tell us what first inspired you to become a surfboard shaper?
- What was the first board you shaped?
- Who are some of your favorite surfers to shape for?
- Favorite board you’ve shaped?
- Three words to live by?
- How can people connect with you and find out more?
In this article, you'll learn
- How Dylan Longbottom moved from big wave surfing into shaping
- What first inspired him to start shaping boards
- Which surfers and boards stand out in his career
- How to connect with Dylan and his surfboard brand
Dylan Longbottom rides some of the heaviest waves on the planet, and now he shapes the boards to match. That combination is rarer than it sounds. Plenty of board builders have never pulled into a serious barrel; Dylan has done it at Teahupoo and lived to draw the outline.
Most surfers will know him first as a big wave charger. Here he is for a refresher.
After a strong competitive career as a junior, Dylan free-surfed his way into the history books, earning recognition for his fearless approach to big waves. He worked as a stunt double on the remake of Point Break and pulled off some serious feats alongside Laurie Towner in critical conditions. For a moment of Teahupoo madness, watch him share a beast with Bruce Irons.
When it comes to choosing a board, it helps to know your shaper actually surfs. Dylan is one of a rare breed who has proved his mettle in waves big and small. As a shaper he now builds boards like the RX5 under his own Dylan Surfboards brand. We caught up with him to say hi.
Hey Dylan! How's your day going?
Very good as I just got to the French Alpes with my family for our first white Christmas.
When did you start surfing and how did you get into it?
When I was 5 years old, by my father who was a surfer and made surfboards as well.
Favourite break ever ridden?
That’s a tough one for me as I got many, but my number one is Apocalypse, Indonesia.
Can you tell us what first inspired you to become a surfboard shaper?
It was being a grommet in my Dad's factory - G&S (Gordon & Smith Surfboards) in Cronulla, Australia where I was always hanging out from a young age in awe of all the shapers.
What was the first board you shaped?
It was in 1999 a 6’1 performance board that was one of my best boards ever and ended up winning the first ever Air Show in Australia on it.
Who are some of your favorite surfers to shape for?
Laurie Towner, Kian Martin, Chris Zaffis, Charly Martin, Joao de Macedo, Antonio Silva and my daughter Summa Longbottom.
Favorite board you’ve shaped?
A big gun I shaped at the ORG factory in Portugal for big wave charger Raphael Tapia to paddle Nazaré. It runs 11’6″ x 22½″ x 4½″ at 125 litres.
Three words to live by?
Love, respect, give
How can people connect with you and find out more?
www.dylansurfboards.com
Instagram
Facebook
E-mail: dylan@dylansurfboards.com
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Dylan Longbottom?
- Dylan Longbottom is a big wave charger turned surfboard shaper, known for riding heavy waves like Teahupoo and for stunt double work in the Point Break remake. He now runs Dylan Surfboards.
- How did Dylan Longbottom get into shaping surfboards?
- He grew up hanging around his father's factory, G&S (Gordon & Smith Surfboards) in Cronulla, Australia, watching the shapers there, which sparked his interest in shaping.
- What was Dylan Longbottom's first shaped board?
- In 1999 he shaped a 6'1" performance board that he calls one of his best boards ever, and he went on to win the first Air Show held in Australia riding it.
- What is the Dylan Surfboards RX5?
- The RX5 is one of the standout shapes produced under Dylan Longbottom's own brand, Dylan Surfboards.