Michael Soule
As a shaper who builds every board by hand, start-to-finish, Michael's number one priority is customer satisfaction. He uses only quality materials, shapes with superior craftsmanship, and pays attention to every detail. As a lifelong surfer, Michael builds boards that he himself would be proud to ride.
Michael began shaping surfboards in New Smyrna Beach, Florida in 1989. He has continued building boards in the US Virgin Islands (on the islands of St. John and St. Thomas); in Hawaii (on the island of Kauai); and in urban Seattle, Washington, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest that he now calls home.
While living on Kauai, Michael had the great fortune to hone his shaping skills under the mentorship of the legendary master shaper, Bill Hamilton. Bill had a
Michael continued his shaping career by working for Dave Implom of Imua Fiberglass. There, he finished boards for Dick Brewer, Terry Chung, Mark Angel, Robin Meir, Mark "Papa Sau" Sausen, and so many more great shapers.
Now living and surfing in the Pacific Northwest, Michael continues building all types of surfboards with all types of materials: polyurethane foam, EPS Styrofoam, and wood.
Working with Bill, Michael was able to perfect the precise art of surfboard building for himself. "I am honored to have been mentored by such a legend."
major influence on Michael as a surfboard builder and as a person. Michael worked at Bill's Hanalei Bay surfboard factory for four years and put his hard work into
Michael has developed and refined his shapes by testing them around the world, in many different environments and conditions: Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Barbados, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Panama, the US & British Virgin Islands, Mexico, Canada, and across the States including Hawaii, Florida, North Carolina, California, Oregon, and Washington State.
His custom, hollow-core, wood surfboards have been praised for their precision and beauty.
Soule surfboards have traveled around the globe, found homes in many corners of the oceans, been hung on walls as works of art, and even used as a bar menu.
finishing boards for surfing greats such as Steve Lis and Laird Hamilton.