Company Description

Timothy J. Bowler, family man, shaper, wave rider, commercial fisherman, and shipwright was born in Santa Monica, California in 1951. In 1957, at the age of six, Tim rode his first wave at Latigo Beach in Malibu, California.

Tim started shaping surfboards in 1968. He founded Shapes and Hulls in 1972 and opened the first of four shops in Santa Barbara in 1974. Tim has shaped for these labels: Shapes and Hulls, Santa Barbara Surf Shop/Surfboards by Yater and O’Neill. During the 1970’s and early 1980’s Tim and crew glassed surfboards for Shapes and Hulls, Yater, CI, Campbell Bros, John Bradbury, Matt Moore and Stan Fuji/Ventura Surf Shop.

Tim credits many people with influencing him with regard to surfboard design and craftsmanship. Notable, but certainly not limited to, are George Greenough, Clark Gregory Liddle, Rich Wilken, Michael Cundith, Richie West, John Bradbury, Reynolds Yater, and Jim Pollard...

Tim’s travels have included the North American coast from Mexico to Alaska, as well as Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji and Australia.

Products & Services

Shaping surfboards ,   Contact ,   Opening the first of four shops in Santa Barbara in 1974 ,   Founding Shapes and Hulls in 1972 ,   Gallery ,   Vintage Hawaiian Shirts ,   Traveling to various coastal locations in North America, Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, and Australia ,   Crediting many people with influencing him regarding surfboard design and craftsmanship ,   Surfshop