Elaish the Doctor
Elaish is the go-to board doctor and craft shaper on the north shore of Dakar. Working out of le Virage, he brings board after board back to life, though some come in questionable as to whether they deserve a second chance… As a neighbor of Bantu’s, we stopped into Elais’ shop to discuss his repair work and shaping projects with Tribal Hot Carving.
So it seems most surfers in the area have had their board saved by you at some point or another. How long have you been surfing in Dakar and when did you start repairing boards?
I started surfing 12 years ago and repairing a year after that.
Was there much of a surf scene in Dakar then?
Surfing was starting to get more popular here and it brought a lot of business in repairing. It’s difficult and dangerous, but there was a need for it so someone had to be doing it.
And what about shaping?
It was after fixing boards for some years that I began shaping. Thanks to Cyril, a friend of mine, and in collaboration with Hot Tribal Carving, I shape custom boards for Dakar surfers. Kids here are passionate about surfing. There’s heart in it, and I like to make boards for them.
And how did you learn to repair and shape?
I learned to repair from Jeremy [last name] who owns the shop I work out of. Shaping happened with THC surfboards and Cyril whom I mentioned earlier.
What’s your favorite board to shape?
I love the fish; to ride and to shape. Especially for Virage and Yoff where the wind blows onshore a lot. It’s
the most fun.
Is that where you surf most often?
Yes, by the mosque at Yoff in front of BCAO, it’s close and it’s often good.
How would you describe the surf community in Dakar compared to other places?
Kids here are passionate about surfing. There’s heart in it, and those are the people I like to shape for.
They love what they do.
