Friends - Chris Bugge
Surfboard Shaper/ Artist. Portugal (Ericeira)
I met Chris whilst having drinks at our local spots namely The Escapist, (hopefully getting the Escapist guys on the podcast soon) - two alley cats propping up the bar and striking up a chat. Really enjoyed our conversations about following your dreams, being the odd one out in a small community, his passion for making boards and his recent relocation to Portugal to be closer to the surfing community.
A lot of people talk the talk, but Chris actually walked the walk and continues to do so. We had some brilliant conversations about personal growth and breaking out of usual rhythms. It's inspiring to meet someone who's genuinely committed to pursuing what matters to them, someone who's willing to uproot their entire life to chase what they're passionate about. That kind of authenticity is rare, and it makes for great conversations when we hook up.
How would you describe yourself, and what drives you?
Maybe complicated. Not in negative sense, I know myself well but am aware others might not find it easy to, at least not at first.
I’m driven by my need for self expression through my works, wether it’s my boards or my painting, music or photography. I’m driven by the need for my own freedom, ultimately as being your own boss means choosing what, when and where, without anyone else putting restrictions on you.
I grew up very quickly and so have always been a very independent person.
What pivotal moments have shaped your journey so far?
I’ve had a lot of pivotal moments in my life, all things we grow from I guess. Probably the ones that shaped me the most came from my younger years before I had any choice myself. My world shifted a number of times, through a pretty serious skateboard / car accident, an unwanted emigration mostly pushed from escaping bad situations. Different culture clashes, and same as most people, some relationships over time. I guess the pivotal moments also always give a door to close and a door to open, it’s up to you how you chose to see them and how you move into your next phase from that I guess.
What is your relationship with Rosie Lee, Unorthodox Blend, and/or Mark & Russell?
I met Mark a few times, mostly through a couple of coffee shops. A very open and easy to talk to guy which led me to this interview.
When you have “chance meetings” with people you should always be open to it I think. Having seen what Rosie Lee do I was kind of blown away as the aesthetic felt so similar to a “mood board” I’d created for my own surfboard brand a while back…I don’t believe so much in coincidence.
What has come out of any relationship and collaborations?
Good talks. When deep thinkers meet it can be the most interesting collide / ride you never expected. Just when you think you had something figured out someone else comes into the mix and puts you back into your shoes. I love that. Wether its age or life experience we all can always learn from each other. Why swim in the swamp if you could jump in the open ocean? … unless you’re comfy in the swamp.
What does being unorthodox mean to you in your work?
Don’t listen to the external noise. Don’t care about what other people say or think you should or shouldn’t be doing. Otherwise what’s the point of you doing it? You might as well be working for the ones telling you what to do in the first place. There are things that you’ll follow in surfboards in terms of physics / hydrodynamics and chemistry of course, but there’s no right or wrong either sometimes…it’s not necessarily how you do it, it’s how you get there and what you learn and enjoy through that process. If the thing rips, it rips. If you like the painting or the tune cool, if not, also cool.
What beliefs have guided you through tough decisions?
I’m not a religious man necessarily, but I’ve died once and had quite a few other close calls, accidents, surgeries, crazy situations etc and I’ve always thought back and personally believe there must be some reason to it. Someone or something guiding you (in whatever you chose) and probably sometimes getting pretty fed up with you too haha. You get out what you put in would be my more grounded answer I guess. Hard work might not always pay off financially but the reward when you step back and look at something you’ve put your heart and soul into and see someone else beaming with a big smile on their face, from a product of whatever sort, that you’ve created for them is guidance enough to know you’re doing the right thing. Screw the money…apart from the first of the month of course.
What challenge in your field of work is often overlooked?
Health. Within surfboards, health. Physically and mentally. Hard graft, repetitive strains, chemicals, late hours..low pay / margins, not much appreciation or recognition. It’s enough to make a lot of people crumble. I have been in and out over the last 20 years and I’ve seen the same in friends, as well as deaths. I’m still here, wether that’s stupid, stubborn or love based I’m not sure, probably a bit of all three
How do you balance creativity with structure / order with chaos?
This is something I’m only learning now. My work is my chaos but also my haven. This becomes a bit of an oxymoron. Especially when you add in the health aspect. This is also one of the things that brought me into painting /art again. It gives a big break from the day job but keeps me in the creative zone. I have many great friends and people around me but more often than not, chose to spend most of my time in my work and creative field at the moment as doing everything totally off your own back and pushing all your own stuff is a massive buzz as well as a time zapper.
What cultural shifts are you noticing in your field of work?
The surfboard industry is a mess. Shops not supporting local guys and bringing in shit from overseas for little money and bigger margins (this has been going on for years) but also this is a knock on affect from the world and price shifts around us as well as the internet / social media bringing a whole new level of customer demand which doesn’t really sit well within real surf / board culture. It is what it is and we are battling through it.
Art wise is same as music to me. People are doing stuff as NFT and making tonnes, kids are sampling new age stuff from YouTube and making tonnes. I’ve not got any beef with people doing stuff like this, it’s the moving world and us old farts are still talking about the classic backpacker shit when things used to be cool…I still prefer being a backpacker haha
It’s the same as AI, either you embrace it or you find a way around it that suits you and makes you enough to get by. Complaining is a waste of energy, I think ultimately either side has its ups and downs.
If you could master any skill instantly, what would it be?
None. I think the process of learning is what keeps us engaged, if it’s not hard it’s probably not worth doing.
What’s one experience everyone should have at least once?
Failure. Without it you’ll never know wether you’re going to get back up or just stay laying down.
What has inspired you lately?
This is actually kind of hard as I really stay in my own bubble. Both with my art and surfboards. I don’t really want too many external influences to subconsciously make me go in someone else’s direction or style. I guess I listen to a lot of music is what keeps me going…a lot of Alfa Mist recently.
What advice would you give to young people starting out in their career?
Ignore the noise. Do what the fuck you want and keep pushing through. When you meet people along the way be humble and always keep your ears open. Ego is not always your amigo.
How can people connect with you, get involved or take part in any of the projects you’ve highlighted above?
Instagram. @bugge_surfboards
www.buggesurfboards.com