Nick Mesritz - Founder of NMD Bodyboards
How did you become a shaper? My Dad had a trucking business and one day he had a delivery to this bodyboard factory. He came home and told me about it and I tripped out. Growing up in New Zealand, which seemed a million miles from anywhere, in terms of bodyboarding, I never expected to find a factory only minutes from my house. So I jumped on my bike and rode up there and hit the owner (Rick Broderson) up for a job. I was still at school, so he gave me a start working after school, which suited me fine. During my time there, Rick taught me the basics of bodyboard construction, but I didnt actually shape any boards, just worked on the line. About a year later I finished school and moved to Australia to work fulltime at Rheopaipo. It was at Rheo that I started actually shaping.
What countries have you shaped in? New Zealand, Indo, Australia and the USA (both Hawaii and California). My wife wants to spend some time in Europe, so a 6 month stint in France might be on the cards in the future. A return to Hawaii would be fun too.
How did you become to be considered as one of the best? 18 years of hard work. If you want to be good at anything you have make sacrifices and give it 100%. Ive also been lucky enough to work with some amazing riders and their demand for ultra high performance boards pushes me to continually create progressive product. Last but not least, I am forever grateful to Buzz Morasca at Toobs for mentoring me and building my laminators.
Whats your favorite part of your job? I love the actual art of shaping a board. I fire up my iPod, turn on the AC and close the shaping room door. Then its just me and the foam. Theres something about using your hands to craft a board, you feel the shape, feel the bumps and keep working it until its smooth and sleek. Then you deliver the finished board to the rider and wait in anticipation as they stare it down, looking at every detail, scrutinizing your work. The final proof comes a few weeks later when its been given a good workout and you get the thumbs up. To be able to take a block of foam and turn it into a high performance bodyboard, thats a good feeling.
What separates NMD from other stock board companies? I think it largely has to do with a hands on approach and attention to detail. From designing the range, to shaping the prototypes, from loading the templates into the computer shaper, to overseeing the production, I am there every step of the way. In an age where board cos design their ranges on paper and have the boards manufactured under license by independent factories, without having any direct involvement in the day to day production, I am fortunate to be able to own and run my own factory. Its been bloody hard work, but with the help and support of my family, friends and Dan Sivess, Ive been able to turn my dreams into reality.
If you could change one thing about the bodyboard industry, what would it be? I think theres too much narrow mindedness. Sure, we should be supporting bodyboard clothing cos, but if a kid wants to wear something thats not bodyboarding, then they shouldnt be ostracized for it.
What job do you think you would be doing if you werent a shaper? When I was a kid, I was dead set on being a policeman. Im also pretty keen on cooking and even worked as a kitchen hand for a few months, so maybe a chef. I guess it comes down to the fact that I have a knife fixation.
What dont you like about your job? The travel. Sure its fun at the start, but spending a whole day cramped in a plane and in airports every second week is no longer my idea of fun.
Whos your favourite bodyboarder? Tom Morey. I dont know if he still considers himself a bodyboarder, but we all owe him a great debt.
What drives you? When we designed the NMD Bull logo, I was asked what my mission statement was. I said I wanted NMD to be the board of choice for the local underground ripper. The hardcore guy at each break that might not be in the mags, but has style and is the one the groms look upto. Even today thats still a major focus. I want to make boards that are considered the best by those who know what a good board is.
So whats in store for the future? More water time!!!
This story is from NMD Stox website
NMD Bodyboards
NMD is a collective of individuals, expressing themselves through the medium that is bodyboarding.Each and every board is constructed with the finest materials available because If you don't have the ingredients, it doesn't matter how you mix the cake. The shapes are simplistic with one focus, they have to work..
Three time world champion Ben Player brings you his signature range. A man who has excelled in the competition scene is also recognised as one of the best free-surfers in the world, affirmed by his number 1 placing in Riptide peer poll.
Ben demands only the very best from his board and continues to refine the template, curves and features of all the boards in his range. You can be sure you're riding world champion stock when you pick up an NMD BP.
How to care for your NMD bodyboard
How to choose the right bodyboard
Check out On-Line Bodyboards and Accessories
NMD is probably at the moment the most sort after Bodyboard in the world
Made by the best and ridden by the best.
Some of the more popular NMD boards below
The NMD Njoy model bodyboard
NMD Njoy is NMD's tried and tested entry bodyboard , the Njoy includes a PE core, new Fiber Flex HDPE slick, 55/45 rails and a crescent tail.
The Njoy model has undergone a few changes, with double layer in the rails to give a little more stiffness, channels, less width in the nose area and a new look design.
Core: PE - (The classic bodyboard core, providing unrivaled response and control especially in larger, more hollow waves. The superior flex in a PE/Dow core allows for greater hold and manoeuvrability on the wave face.
Deck: Crosslink (X-link) decking (A denser, more compact foam that absorbs very little water and is therefore very durable.)
Slick: HDPE Channeled Slick (A hardened slick material that is durable and fast, yet still super responsive)
Tail: Clipped Crescent Tail (Provides superior control and hold on the wave face while also allowing for ease of rail to rail transitions and release from carves and spins.)
Channels: Graduated Channels (Greatly enhance control and drive, ensuring the rider has maximum command over their board when bottom turning, trimming and transitioning from rail to rail.)
Additional Features: 55/45 double rails, nylon cord leash and plug.The perfect boogie board for those starting out in the sport. NMD (Nick Meseritz Designs) At the moment, probably the best bodyboard shaper in the world.
Buy on-line in ThailandNMD EVO Contour
NMD EVO Contour
Super sleek styling and functional features is what you get with the Evo Combining a Dow core and React Stringer System. The Crescent tail and Channels provides the perfect balance of rigidity and control on waves of any size.
This Year NMD's added the all new Evolution Contour Deck. With all the Features of a High End board at a Low End Price, The Evolution is the best value for money board on the market! FEATURES: CORE: Dow (PE) Core DECK: Cellcushion 8lb PE Deck SLICK: HDPE Slick TAIL: Crescent ADDITONAL FEATURES: Evo Deck Contour, Double React stringer system,Nose and Tail bumpers, 60/40 Double Rails, Graduated Channels Buy on-line in ThailandNMD Spec IXL Bodyboard
NMD Spec IXL Bodyboard
Simple design features make the Spec a trusted performer to always have in your quiver, but don?t be fooled with simplicity. The template has been trimmed and sanded, planed and tuned untill Nick was satisfied. The hand formed Polypro core is super strong and the Crosslink decking has less than 1% water absorption. The Slick HDPP bottom is stiff, fast.
Features: Kinetic Polypro (KPP) Core, WAVEDECK AIR = 4mm x 8lb CROSSLINK PE + 1.5mm PP BACKING
4lb IXLPE Core 55/45 Double Rails, Nose and Tail Buffers, Crescent tail, HDPP Slick.
Graduated Channels
NMD 360 Bodyboard
NMD 360 Bodyboard
The 360 is designed for the value seeking intermediate rider who demands quality and performnce from their board. Featuring a full deck contour, PE core and stringer with a Crescent tail and Channels provides the perfect balance of flex and control on waves of any size.
Features:
Core: 2.4lb Extruded PE - (The classic bodyboard core, providing unrivalled response and control especially in larger, more hollow waves. The superior flex in a PE/Dow core allows for greater hold and manoeuvrability on the wave face - the preferred choice for colder waters where other cores may become too stiff and unresponsive)
Stringer: React Carbon Fibre Stringer (Designed to add longevity to a board by improving stiffness and recoil while also greatly increasing the ability for projection. The stringer also enhances performance and control.)
Deck: 8lb IXL- (X-link) decking (A denser, more compact foam that absorbs very little water and is therefore very durable.)
Slick: HD Channelled Slick (A hardened slick material that is durable and fast, yet still super responsive)
Channels: Graduated Channels (Ensure that the rider gets enough hold on the waves without being locked into undesirable situations.)
Tail: Clipped Crescent Tail (Provides superior control and hold on the wave face while also allowing for ease of rail to rail transitions and release from carves and spins.)
Additional Features: 360 Deck Contour (Contours in the deck of the board that are designed for superior traction, control and response.), Bull Grips (Small bulbs on the underside of the nose of the board that enhance grip and control), Nose and Tail Buffers (An additional layer of padding on the nose and tail of the board that promotes longevity and durability.), 55/45 Double Rails, Slick Graphic.
NMD Spec LTD
Over the years the Spec LTD was one of NMD's most popular bodyboards and it's not hard to understand why it's back again better than ever. Shaped by the veteran Nick Mesritz and featuring a Kinetic PP core, Finger Grips, an HDPP Slick and a React Stringer System.
The Spec LTD is the perfect choice for the intermediate to advanced rider who craves performance and wants nothing to hold their natural progression on a bodyboard back. Designed with speed, versatility and longevity in mind.
Features:
Core: Polypro: Kinetic PP - (This core material is designed for speed and projection. Its durability is unrivalled by any other core. Lightweight and rigid, this core will perform exceptionally well in warmer waters where other cores become slow and unresponsive)
Stringer: React Carbon Fibre Stringer (Designed to add longevity to a board by improving stiffness and recoil while also greatly increasing the ability for projection. The stringer also enhances performance and control.)
Deck: 8lb PE decking WAVECUSHION AIR =4mm 8lb NON CROSSLINK PE +1.5mm PP BACKING
Slick: HD Channelled Slick (A hardened slick material that is durable and fast, yet still super responsive)
Channels: Graduated Channels (Ensure that the rider gets enough hold on the waves without being locked into undesirable situations.)
Tail: Clipped Crescent Tail (Provides superior control and hold on the wave face while also allowing for ease of rail to rail transitions and release from carves and spins.)
Additional Features: Bull Grips (Small bulbs on the underside of the nose of the board that enhance grip and control), Nose and Tail Buffers (An additional layer of padding on the nose and tail of the board that promotes longevity and durability.), 55/45 Double Rails.
guaranteed workmanship
Saltwater Dreaming is the distributor in Thailand and parts of Asia for
NMD Bodyboards - Check em out!
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