About Tim
You don't get much more local than Tim Olafsen. Born and raised in the South Bay, Tim spent his youth surfing local spots in and around Redondo Beach, like Topaz Street and Pier Ave. He has also quite literally built a large portion of the city. Working in construction and contracting for over 40 years, he can take you on a tour of the town and point out different eras of architecture and design that he himself had a hand in.
His lifelong love of surfing, combined with his creative nature, transferred naturally into shaping. He dabbled in shaping boards over the years, but was finally inspired to fully commit to the project while stuck in quarantine in 2020. With his daughter Krista managing the tech side, Olafsen Shaping was born.
Our Company
Our logo, the Vegvisir, is the ancient viking compass. It is a symbol of protection, and a guide for those on a journey. The word vegvisir translates roughly to "wayfinder" in Icelandic. That is what these boards are to us - both a path for ourselves and a guiding light for the journeys of others.
As we continue to grow, we are seeking ways to remain true to our local roots, supporting other southern californian businesses, and striving towards sustainability.
For Tim, shaping boards was the way to his true creative self. We hope that when you ride on one of our boards you find your way, too.
Our Boards
Because we are small and independant, we can work with you to create exactly what you're looking for. We offer the opportunity to partake in one-on-one designing with the shaper himself.
Each board is unique, one of a kind. They are made for the joy of making them - our company exists solely because Tim loves doing what he does, and that translates directly to the quality of the product. With years of experience riding, he is able to create exactly what is needed for each wave, and his passion for the sport and craft