CLOSED 5.0 (1 review) Surf Shop "Crafting custom shapes here on the Islands for nearly a quarter of a century and has shaped for many well known shapers in the past, Todd continues to work with some of the best" more 10. [2], Three foundational templates for surfboard shaping were utilized by the Hawaiian islanders: the alaia, the paipo, and the olo. Copyright a360media 2023. What makes my boards different is that I have kind of married the shortboard into the longboard so its more of a high-performance riding board, but it has a lot of the characteristics of the old longboards we used to ride in the 60s.. Of all the things Ive done with my life, he said, being able to influence surfing is a marvelous thing.. LOCAL SHAPERS - Surfboard Shaper Directory Fifty years on, he still applies that sort of everyman precision and passion to the boards he makes today. Schaper Hawaii His first surfboard was a beat up Velzy-shaped craft that he cut his teeth on and he was hooked immediately. How she does it: Lloyd works closely with her husband when shaping her boards -- in fact, Thompson applies the final layer of fiberglass to Ashleys nine-foot-plus creations in their Greenest Glassing facility, which uses a bio-based resin thats far more environmentally friendly than traditional polyurethane. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. In a field thats been largely dominated by 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, theres really only one surfer who managed to give Slater a run for his money in his prime: Andy Irons. This is a review for surf shop in Honolulu, HI: "After 40 years of surfing, I buy surfboards and surfing-related merchandise in Honolulu from only 2 surf shops, and this is one of them. While no singular design or manufacturing first can seemingly be credited to Al Merrick, the founder of Channel Islands Surfboards has been more influential to surfers and surfboard designers than any single person over the last quarter century. Its the job of the shaper to actualize all of this data into the perfect conduit, and that conduit is different for every rider. Any type of surfboard under the sun. Its a part of history that Im trying to bring back again.. The standings where the blanks are shaped are nailed to the floor with lighting aligned near them. Surfing is funny in that its youngest adherents are often groomed to revere its oldest masters. DOT License #227698 DOT Motor Carrier License #165352 DOT Freight Forwarder License #003549 Hawaii PUC #85-C. Combined with his untimely drowning in large La Jolla surf, his legend has grown to epic proportions among groups of cavalier craftsman and stalwart surfers alike. Hamilton is probably best known for the shark attack she suffered at the age of 13, in which she lost her left arm. Each surfboard is a custom one of a kind creation. Hes skilled enough to pull off a giant air maneuver while surfing Peahi, Mauis big wave, but hes curious enough to try windsurfing it, too. It took a while for Bob Pearson to make his name as one of the most accomplished shapers in the surfboard building game. Hawaii Surf Factory, Custom Surfboards, Short Boards Long Boards For inquiries, contact Hamilton at hamiltonsurfboards@hotmail.com. Hobart Alter, also known as Hobie", was a prominent surfboard shaper from Dana Point, California who is famously known for his experimentation with polyurethane foam as a base material for surfboards. The making of a custom surfboard begins with a probe: What is your weight? Mel is known as "big wave' surfer and his son John Mel is a four-time surfing National Champion. He summed it up for Surfline in 2013 when he said, simply: My boards are not for everybody.. Ho was featured in the 2020 documentary, She Is the Ocean, the story of nine women who are intimately connected to the water. Hes been called surfings most influential board maker. He didnt just shape surfboards he shaped an entire culture and industry. Add to Cart. Then, in 1959, he took his first trip to Hawaii. How he does it: By tapping into past groundbreaking work for little ol companies like Apple, Nike, Porsche, and IDEO. If it can be done on the water, Lenny has done it. Surf legend Pat Curren calls Santa Barbara home while his son, Tom, transforms the up-and-comer surf scene along with fellow locals, Conner and Parker Coffin. He ended up in Waikiki, near Ala Moana. Adding a business to Yelp is always free. Terms & Conditions. While he may be gone, his legend will live on for as long as people ride waves. Surfboard shaping is not done so easily; it takes patience and determination to properly craft a surfboard. [1], There exists very little evidence that pinpoints the exact location of the first surfboard shaper; however, historical analysis suggests that surfboarding itself first originated in Hawaii. Scovel, who was born in Japan but has lived on Kauai since he was a toddler, says much of his business comes from visiting surfers who want custom boards crafted by a shaper who knows the unique demands of Kauais surf. She started surfing at the tender age of five on the beaches of Waikiki. He went on to college at Long Beach State, where he surfed as much as he could generally in the mornings before classes, since he spent his days in the classroom and his nights working as a toolmaker. However, she is still remembered for her style and grace in the water, which are still a common topic of conversation in many Oahu lineups. The world is a worse place now without him in it, but were unbelievably fortunate to have shared space on the planet with someone like him. He wanted it for the North Shore, and as soon as he showed up on the scene, it was apparent that he had a little something extra. People also searched for these in Honolulu: What are people saying about surf shop in Honolulu, HI? FREDDY P TWIG (Twin Fin / 4'10") x Jamie O'Brien PRO $ 314.99 Color : Add to Cart. Brewer bounced back and forth between Hawaii and California, shaping surfboards for some of the worlds best surfers. Valley Isle Surfboards - Custom Surfbaords Maui Most boards cost over $700 and it's nevermore, One of the cool things about the store was the revolving surfboard rack on the ceiling.more, Whether you are a beginner or an veteran surfer, this is a great place to buy a surfboard.more, to hoeheenalu surf shop , flight surf shop, kazuma surf shop or used surfboards hawaii for theirmore, After 40 years of surfing, I buy surfboards and surfing-related merchandise in Honolulu from only 2more, From his website: KIMO GREENE SURFBOARDS Aloha, since 1967, Kimo Greene has been making surfboardsmore, is a testament to his skill and labor of love to produce exquisite surfboards of all shapes andmore, Huge collection of boards. He excelled in everything he put his mind to: President of the Alpha Sigma Kai fraternity and the Association of Mens Students at Compton J.C., then a Mens Senator at Long Beach State. Ive basically devoted my life to surfing, and Im proud of the fact that Ive been able to contribute something to this industry, says Hamilton, who is 69. You do the math., BOB SIMMONS *the wild card Kelly Slater is the most influential surfer of our time, and he has done the vast majority of his surfing on boards built by Al Merrick. Whats the Best Hawaiian Island to Live On, and Why? How Well Do You Know Your Hawaiian Place Names. What he does: Given all that alone time inventing the art of riding Mavericks monstrosities, Clark specializes in the long, sleek guns (eight-foot and up surfboards made to paddle into and then slice down the face of big waves) that work best at huge breaks. Anderson's "thruster" design is still utilized in the contemporary shaping world.[14]. You have to have your own vision of surfing, he told Brooklyns Pilgrim Surf and Supply in 2014. In 1926, Blake acquired an ancient olo surfboard from Honolulus Bishop Museum; the board was originally 16 feet long and weighed 150 pounds. It is not worth putting my 85-year-old body through the stresses of treatment so I am going to hang on to the words of Buddha: The secret to health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly. GO SURFING and get one for me!. Measure and take note of the dimensions of the board. wikipedia.en/Surfboard_shaper.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en Theyre environmentally sustainable, and theyre durable enough to last a lifetime. If youre just hitting easygoing pointbreaks and summertime beachbreaks, youre better off with something different. Ben Aipa was born in Honolulu in . The 2018 film Kissed by God offers a telling glimpse into the tragic end of Andy Irons life and celebrates the impact he had on surfing, as well as his friends and family, especially his brother, Bruce: Speaking of stand-out surfers from Kauai, Bethany Hamilton certainly qualifies. Three foundational templates for surfboard shaping were utilized by the Hawaiian islanders: the alaia, the paipo, and the olo. It's super easy to communicate with them by text and Daley is just such a good listener. Focusing on intuitive, engaging solutions, Meyerhoffer mixes the functional and the emotional, relying on computer-assisted design techniques that redefined the way surfers thought about their boards and the assumptions we routinely make about whats right and wrong. Meyerhoffer even teamed up with the futurists at Global Surf Industries, which mass produced his signature board using EPS and epoxy, the most efficient materials then on the market. But it does work, relying on weighty surf concepts (parabolic rails, negative cuts, swing weights, and deep double concaves) to produce a longboard that rides like a shortboard. But hes more than just another hippie making beautiful, eco-friendly boards. It was 1960. And he does it on a grand scale, while still maintaining the eye for careful, personalized attention he cultivated at the very start. Dick Brewer changed surfing, and for that, we thank him. But Reidel stuck with quads, pursuing his experimentation with the new design to the point of perfection. To honor these unsung heroes, were highlighting 10 California shapers every surfer worth their wax should know: Talk about San Franciscos oceanfront resurgence, which over the last 15 years has transformed the Outer Sunset neighborhood from fog-shrouded afterthought to an epicenter of creative pursuits, and one man comes to mind: Danny Hess. In 1952, seven years after the war ended, Dick began to surf. Or, you might know Gerry Lopez as Subotai, friend and ally to Arnold Schwarzeneggers Conan the Barbarian. He also won the Molokai to Oahu downwinder, one of the toughest paddle races on the planet. Check out some of the lastest updates from Buggs and blog posts here. Even as far back as 2000, when surfing was much more homogenized than it is today, Pearson said surfers were set to begin approaching surfing in an individual way, and riding different designs would not only change shaping altogether, but better equip surfers to perform at their best. One year later, he opened a little shop in Haleiwa called Surfboards Hawaii. He began shaping surfboards out of wooden railway ties as a young boy; however, in 1957, he moved to California to apprentice under the legendary shaper Dale Velzy. After breaking his neck in 1988 in a windsurfing accident, Stretch doubled down on innovation, giving himself over to a methodical drive instilled by his father to be the absolute best in his field and see how far his ideas could go. Basically, Biolas has a passion for making even the smallest waves fun, and is constantly tweaking ideas to make that possible. Longboard Surfboards, Fish Surfboards, Shortboard Surfboards, Beginner Surfboards, Paddle Boards, SUP and Inflatable Boards,Wetsuits, Surf Apparel and Surf Gear. Ken's first surfboard shaping job was with Lightning Bolt Surfboards and Surf Shop in 1976. Understanding the 'Okina, How to Move to Hawaii: A Basic Four-Step Process. They opened retail shops along the coasts and developed wholesale businesses, allowing others to open shops and carry their boards globally. He's been called " surfing . Do you need any board accessories? Slowly, his surfboards began to catch the interest of surfers in Hawaii, and the legend of Dick Brewer began to heat up. As he traveled around the world giving surfing demonstrations, he introduced the sport to the world. The 5 Most Famous Surfers from Hawaii - Culture Trip Toru and his crew know their stuff, are friendly and helpful, and not pushy. Thank you for signing up. Usually the rooms are at least 5m 2m (16ft 8ft) and consist of fluorescent lights. Kinimaka was also a lifeguard who won the Waterman of the Year Award in 1996 from the State of Hawaii Lifeguard Association. On May 28, 2022, surfboard shaping legend Dick Brewer died at his home in Hawaii. And if you doubt his prowess on a surfboard, hes got a long list of big wave awards to his name (2019 Mens XXL Biggest Wave, 2020 Winner of the Tow Challenge, 2021 Red Bull Big Wave Award for Biggest Paddle, 2021 Mens Performer of the Year). The Hobie company continues to manufacture surfboards today. Ultrasensitive under the feet, these boards allow for sharp movements, allowing riders to push the limits on hollow waves. Shapers List | Surfboardline.com Collectors Network About: Kim Purington: Surfboards, Hawaii. He was, by all accounts extraordinarily proficient with his hands. Within a year, the twin-fin was all but forgotten. World Surf League Ben Aipa - surfer, board shaper, coach - died at his home in Hilo last week at the age of 78. . Its an inverted hourglass shape with bulging hips in the back third of the board, a narrow empire waist, and another wide bubble near the nose. The shop was initially started in order to provide foam to the in-house shapers at The Surfboard Factory and other shapers in the area i.e. Schaper Hawaii Surfboards The 5,000,000+ surfers bobbing up and down Californias 840 miles of coastline spend a lot of time in the spotlight, but there is a small group of artisans working in the background to make all those epic YouTube-worthy rides possible: surfboard shapers. The Coast Guard saved the rest of the crew, but Aikau was never seen again, despite an extensive search. A board-making process in which the rails are built with a tightly woven band of fabric results in a structural improvement that can boost the strength of a surfboard by about 28 percent, he says. Using his engineering talents and his knowledge of wave riding, he made boards that worked incredibly well in a time when real, intelligent design was still in its infancy. California in the post-World War II 1940s was a playground paradise. He was 85. In other words, he knows how to make boards that can seriously perform, even when made out of eco-friendly materials. Subscribe to But Ashley Lloyd is looking to change that. Our List of the 11 Best Breweries on Oahu, Christmas in Hawaii: Everything You Need to Know. BEN AIPA. The first one he made was traced from a friends board. Armed with a knowledge of military hydrodynamics and postwar, new-age materials, Simmons used the time and space well, continuously driving and surfing up and down the uncrowded coastline, crafting and testing his futuristic designs. After her recovery, Hamilton adapted her surfing style and returned to the sport to win a national title in 2005. Degree 33 Surfboards | The #1 Online Surfboard Brand in the US SHAPING SINCE: "I shaped my first board in 1975; started shaping professionally in 1983." INFLUENCES: "Eric Arakawa, Ed Angulo, Dave Hill, Dave Purington and Peter Trombly." KNOWN FOR: "Performance shortboards, fish, step-up boards, guns and . As the founder of Lost Surfboards, Matt Biolos has been at the forefront of board design for more than 20 years, and his high-performance crafts can be found under the feet of world champions and elite freesurfers alike. My boards are my vision of how I want to surf. If you dont know Rell Sunns name, you should. Surfboard Shapers: The best of the past 10 years - Red Bull But the notoriously gruff and outspoken Biolos also led a peoples power movement producing tens of thousands of wide, thick, and fun shortboards that changed many surfers perspective on what good surfing in bad waves could look like. Hawaiians were riding waves with a great deal of authority, and when the missionaries came and put the kibosh on surfing, it became a forgotten art, Hamilton says. 44 Hawaiian and Pidgin Phrases Every Visitor Needs to Know, 20 Thoughts Every Hiker has had on the Trail Up Koko Head Crater, Shop These 5 Sophisticated Aloha Shirt Brands, The Enduring Nostalgia of Hawaii's Historic Drive-In Restaurants, Find Solitude and Serenity at the Waipio Wayside Bed and Breakfast, How the Klauea Lighthouse Saved an Airship in 1927, Q&A with Hawaii Fashion Designer Micah Kamohoalii. Copyright 2013 Surfboardline. Start by turning the rails with the planer (nose to tail), then create a 45-degree angle from turning point on the deck to the top. ". We were all watching, including Kelly Slater. The Waialua Sugar Mill is the epicenter for custom surfboard manufacturing on Oahu, yet it remains surprisingly covert. Hamilton, who has shaped boards for surfing legends Andy Irons and Laird Hamilton, is famed for his longboards and big wave-riding guns. Balsa wood began to emerge as the most versatile base for the modernizing shaper; the balsa wood drastically reduced the weight of the surfboard, and allowed for surfers to move in the water with more speed and agility. Separately and simultaneously, Alter and Velzy built massive factories and developed large-scale production lines, capable of cranking out hundreds of boards per week. He became famous in the longboard world and was considered one of the best shapers of all time. It is time for me sit on the beach and let you guys have ALL the waves, he wrote on March 2. Alter (with partner Gordon Clark) is more responsible than anyone for the introduction and widespread use of foam and fiberglass surfboards. His surfboards largely paved the roads that led surfing to where it is today. The vessel capsized 12 miles south of Molokai. Surfing has held a mystical allure in Santa Cruz for well more than a century. FREE SHIPPING ON NEW BOARDS IN THE CONTIGUOUS USA + PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE. Location-106 Ka'anapali Shores Place, Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii 96761. After the form of the surfboard is sculpted from the blank, the shaper can lay fiberglass or carbon fiber sheets over the top and bottom of the surfboard, and laminate each sheet with a thermosetting substance, such as epoxy or polyester resin. Heres What You Need, Six Exercises to Improve Your Surfing Today. He sold a few boards shaped by other shapers, but he also began to learn more and more about the art of crafting a surfboard. Start by adjusting the template paper over the blank, then cut the blank with a handsaw on both sides. Ken started his own business, Bradshaw-Hawaii, a manufacturer of custom surfboards in 1978. He bought a blank, a Walker, and carved out a 910. Custom Hamilton Surfboards begin at about $100 a foot. SURFER has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. From high performance short boards and long boards to alternative and traditional boards and stand up paddle boards. Hawaiian surf legend Ben Aipa, who also excelled as board shaper, dies What he does: As a kid, Michel was so small he couldnt wrap his arms around the unwieldy 10-foot longboards of the day. Catch Surf | Smells Like Summer! Rad clothing and soft surfboards As the word started to travel, more and . Sand the deck until it blends with the rails. Current stats say women make up almost 35% of the surfing population, but even in ultra-progressive coastal California, surfing is effectively still an ol boys club. Itd be a semi-gun today light balsa with a single layer of glass, he told Drew Kampion for a Surfers Journal profile. Ken's business interests have grown substantially in the last two years. ", INFLUENCES: "Eric Arakawa, Ed Angulo, Dave Hill, Dave Purington and Peter Trombly. So he worked with legendary shaper Hap Jacobs to produce a smaller, more refined model that set Junod down a lifelong path of experimentation with the cornucopia of shapes -- twin-fins, quads, finless planks, kneeboards -- commonly referred to today as alternative. But ironically, Michel was also one of the first surfers in the 1970s to dust off his traditional longboard again, flying in the face of the Shortboard Revolution and reviving one of surfings most traditional art forms. She studied music at UC-Santa Barbara, where she familiarized herself with the Queen of the Coast surfing spot Rincon Point. [12], Donald Takayama was a professional surfer and acclaimed shaper from Hawaii. Using the same blend of freshly roasted beans and slow steeping process for making cold brew in their cafes, Peets hand delivers its bottled cold brew to grocery stores to ensure it is fresh and flavorful from your first sip. I had a few hours to kill before heading to the airport. Ho shaped his first surfboard at the age of 14, and he soon began repairing and re-designing old boards found on the coast. He was 85. George Downing also developed the first big wave surfboard, making the bigger waves more accessible. In an effort to replicate the structure of the olo board, Blake drilled holes in a redwood blank and sealed the top of with wood with sheets of veneer, effectively creating the first hollow surfboard. That's why we'll only send you the good stuff. Starting from the room where it's crafted and finishing with its glassing process. And if it hasnt yet been done, hes game to try. Let us introduce you to some of the most famous surfers who were born in Hawaiias well as some not-so-familiar ones whose names you should know. Australia's Best 11 Surfboard Brands & Shapers - Radness Surf Prescriptions, Cordell Surfboards, Chas Performance, Pesce Surfboards, Poi Dog, A-39, Mohn, Sakal, Line Up, Wallin, and Country Surfboards. The Hawaiian islanders most likely utilized only three species of tree as the base for their surfboards: the wiliwili (Erythrina monosperma), ulu (Artocarpus incisa), and koa (Acacia koa). He estimates shaping 25,000 to 30,000 boards, and the surfer-turned-shaper says he still assembles about 150 custom boards a year. Dale Velzy - Wikipedia Surfboards shipped from Hawaii to any place in the world! Until, suddenly, it did. That board was lighter than my friends Hobie foam board. Though the presence of Lightning Bolt fell off the radar after its hay . Hobie was a pioneer in 20th century surfboard construction and design; his most famous legacy lies in his creation of the polyurethane foam surfboard in 1958. (By the way, Sunn was assuming her rightful role in a longstanding Hawaiian cultural tradition; accounts reveal that many Hawaiian women, including Queen Kaahumanu, wife of Kamehameha the Great, surfed. ) tokoro surfboards quality surfboards by wade tokoro. In winter, when Kauais shores morph into a magnet for monster swells, a cluster of sleepy, jungle-encroached surf towns transforms into a world-class destination for seasoned wave riders. Captivated by the wooden boards the Native Hawaiians rode before the advent of modern surfing, Hamilton crafts raw slabs of monkeypod, wiliwili, koa and balsa wood into museum-quality wall hangers that wear glistening coats of kukui oil. With reduced weight, a wider range of people could carry, paddle, and control a surfboard. In one year, on self-designed, self-shaped equipment, Anderson won two of the worlds most prestigious surfing events: the Pipe Masters and Bells Beach, showing the designs versatility. His boards second name, Mayhem Surfboards, stuck; but even non-surfers will recognize his third: Lost. For a prompt reply, please include the best time to call you! With California prodigy Tom Curren, and a bevy of other talented surfers, he was able to jump on this design and take it to new heights. Barnum savvy and Henry Ford industrialism basically birthed the surf industry through manufacturing, merchandising, and marketing. Custom shapes made for you by some of Hawaii's top shapers and dropped off right at your door - anywhere in the world! The process of surfboard shaping has evolved over the years, and the shaper often tailors his or her work to meet the requirements of a client or a certain wave. [8], The beginning of the 1940s marked the introduction of fiberglass resin, which allowed shapers to construct surfboards that were strong, light, and waterproof. Schaper Hawaii 67-106 Kealohanui St Waialua, HI 96791 Copyright 2016. Or, you might know Lopez as an influential surfboard shaper whose Lightning Bolt brand was once one of the most ubiquitous out there. The list goes on. (And, yes, if youre curious, the family is also related to Don Ho; he and Derek are cousins.). A surfboard shaper is someone who designs and builds surfboards. What he does: Under the Pearson Arrow label, Bob and his team of committed shapers pump out upwards of 2,000 boards a year -- shortboards, longboards, beginner boards, advanced shapes for big waves, custom boards for special needs kids you name it and Pearson can do it. In 1980, after viewing the work of shaper Frank Williams, Anderson constructed a surfboard with a square tail and three identical fins. Lightning Bolt Surfboards | Jack Shipley and Gerry Lopez Mark the front fins positions on both sides then mark the back fins. In 1972, Ho purchased the a surf shop on the corner of Main and Bay Streets in Venice, California; he rebranded the shop as "Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions." Sunn passed away in 1998 from complications due to breast cancer. [13], Simon Anderson is a surfer and shaper from Sydney, Australia who is most known for his innovation of the "thruster" board. The surfboard is then shaped using an array of tools, including but not limited to the following: surforms, rasps, grinders, sanders, and planes. Call Us: 800-920-2363; . What is your level of experience? Kahanamoku held many different roles during his lifetime: legendary waterman, sheriff of Honolulu, Hollywood actor, Hawaiis Ambassador of Aloha, husband, and father. Moore won the Reef Hawaiian Pro at the age of 16 to become the youngest champion of a Triple Crown of Surfing event. Today you can easily spot a Hamilton board by the strip of aloha-print fabric around the rails. Today, Eddie Aikau is probably best known for the big wave invitational that bears his name. Remove the extra foam by passing it perpendicular to the stringer from tail to nose. TOM BLAKE + THE HOT CURL CREW "Tom Blake is the most influential surfboard designer of all time. Big wave surfing has not always been the most welcoming discipline for women, but Keala Kennelly has never been one to shy away from the planets biggest waves. It can drop into steeper waves, turn on a dime, and accelerate quickly, all while still producing the cruise and glide integral to any longer board. The evangelistic tribe of maverick, underground, backyard, and garage shapers around the globe praising and preaching the mantra of Simmons continues to grow daily.. Healso pioneered the use of EPS epoxy foam and resin to replace traditional polyurethane and polystyrene. Aikau hopped on his surfboard and attempted to paddle to Lanai for help. Photo: Mike Coots Jimmy Lewis is a Hawaiian surfer, sailor and surfboard shaper . By 1960, Velzy owned five retail shops and three production facilities in California and Hawaii. Legendary Hawaiian Surfboard Shaper Ben Aipa of Aipa Designs - Swell Magnet 67-106 Kealohanui Street, Building P-2, Waialua, Hawaii, 96791 808-638-0050 info@schaper-hawaii.com GOOD ViBES! I rode everything in California on that same board Lunada Bay, big Cottons Point, Windansea, Ventura overhead so I knew you could ride a 15-foot wave on a nine-foot board.. He developed rocker, foam sandwich construction, and multi-finsin the 40s! It was a performance and design leap as impactful (or maybe even more so) than anything before or since. Dale Velzy (September 23, 1927 - May 26, 2005) was an American surfboard shaper, credited with being the world's first commercial shaper.He opened the first professional surf shop in Manhattan Beach, California in 1950, personally hand fashioning the surfboards from wood or synthetic material.