Innovation in the surfboard market with Wooster Surfboards.

With 30 years in the surfboard manufacturing industry and involved in the surf industry since he was 18, American Mark Wooster made Costa Rica his home, where he has raised his family and has been crafting surfboards for approximately 12 years.

Wooster decided to come to Costa Rica excited by its waves, but without really knowing what the surfboard market was like at first, where he has managed to position himself as one of the best shapers.

In this article, Mark tells us his whole story of how he got started in the art of shaping.

Who is Mark Wooster?

I am an American citizen, born in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, but I love the stunning country of Costa Rica.

When and why did the idea of ​​making surfboards come about?

I've worked in the surf industry since I was 18. It all started as a sales representative for a clothing company, and the company also had surfboards.

Why did you choose Costa Rica to manufacture your surfboards?

I have manufactured boards for Wave Tools for Lance Collins and Channel Islands to name a few, however, then I decided to start my own brand after many years of learning from some of the best in the business and I chose Costa Rica because since the mid-eighties I surfed here in the country and I thought of doing it here.

How long have you been in the surfboard manufacturing market and how long have you been manufacturing them in Costa Rica?

I have been making surfboards for about thirty years and doing it in Costa Rica for twelve years.

How do you see the current surfboard market in Costa Rica?

The market in Costa Rica is good for surfboards; it's a good market for a small business, so it's nice to make boards here that are used in the high-quality waves that Costa Rica enjoys.

What do you consider the most difficult thing about making surfboards?

The most difficult thing is that the hard work goes into each board made; that is, in most handmade boards, the work must be meticulous and skilled between each board, in order to create magical boards. Another difficult thing is being able to stay relevant as surfboards and times change; that is crucial.

Do you currently sponsor any national surfers?

At Wooster Surfboards we offer discounts to competitive surfers at all levels, as well as helping children who need a board to get started.

We have moved away from full sponsorship, as profit margins are very low and there is a lot of work involved in each board.  Every person who works on the boards is a highly skilled worker and deserves to be paid for their service, and the only way to do that is to not give away too many surfboards.

All the boards you make are special, but tell us specifically about the boards you made for José López from Venezuela and Andy Chacón from Costa Rica, who won them at the “Surfing Nights”?

The boards that José López and Andy Chacón have been riding are handmade boards, which they won in the Surfing Republic competition, specifically in the “Surfing Night Air Show.” Both surfboards are made of polyester, custom-made for them after meeting with each guy and discussing the best boards they've owned, making a plan. and design based on each kid's weight and height, how they surf, how I think that over time as a designer they could improve each type of surfing, based on who they are, basically like a coach would.

Andy Chacón: “It’s the board I’m currently using and honestly I think it’s incredible, light, fast and with that board I’ve gotten the best barrels of my life.”

José Joaquín: “That board surprised me a lot since I had never used one of this brand before, but it has been incredibly useful for barrels and aerials. It feels great and I really like it; in fact, I think I'll make some boards with it, even though my sponsor is Kailani because of the pandemic. From what I've surfed with Wooster, it seems like a great option.”

What benefit does the creation of Wooster Surfboards bring to the country despite not being 100% Costa Rican?

I believe the profit is Costa Rican for a very basic reason: every Wooster surfboard made in Costa Rica buys all its materials in the country, and all the skilled workers who work for the company live in Costa Rica, so all their hard-earned dollars stay in Costa Rica.

My motivation for people is to support brands that support their country, so that we can maintain local businesses .

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero