My Story

I was born in 1979 in Chiba prefecture, Japan. My father was a tobi finish carpenter, and I was a boy who was very dexterous and good at crafting who often played with his father's tools from an early age. As a kid, I often went to my dad's work site and sometime help him a little by little. Time has past, so I can say it now sometimes he let me operate heavy equipment. Naturally, as I grew older, I started helping my father with his work. I went to a technical high school and after graduating I got several occupations, mostly in the construction industry or there were something creative side, especially hands-on jobs. 
 

I started skateboarding when I was 9 and snowboarding when I was 14. At the age of 21, I moved to Los Angeles and started surfing. Ten years later, I had a fateful encounter at sea. I met Mr. Jeff Quam, my best friend and mentor who had a great influence on my life. I had always wanted to shape surfboards, and without Mr. Jeff, perhaps I would never have been able to do so. Mr. Jeff introduced me to Mr. Terry Martin and Mr. Terry taught me the foundation of shaping surfboard. And the encounter with Mr. Terry made me serious about become a surfboard shaper.

 

After that, at the recommendation of Mr. Terry, I went to see legend shapers around southern California. And fortunately I got a job at T Patterson Surfboards. Mr. Timmy taught me advance skills of shaping surfboard, and also glassing, hot coat, sanding and fins. And he gave me a nickname "Mitch O San"

 

After my apprentice at Patterson Surfboards, I have been involved in making surfboards of various designs from top brands around San Clemente and Oceanside, California. During the years working under these famous brands, I’ve always felt a calling towards shaping in a way that is reflective of my soul. Over the years, I consolidated the styles and techniques that I practiced under various brands into creating something that uniquely expresses the way I feel about this art.

 

I believe surfing is art and I think of surfboards as works of art that come to life in the water.

With that in mind, I put a part of my soul in every surfboard I make.

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These days, I live with my family and dedicate myself to building surfboards as a way to support and care for them.

I feel deeply grateful to be able to do what I love, while providing for the people who matter most to me.