Over the next years I attended my first World's and tried out various ski designs and manufacturers. After taking a leave from University I stayed with legendary surfer and shaper Neil Decker (of Dekka Waveskis which I was riding at the time) on the Gold Coast of Australia. I saw the start to finish making of a ski and, naturally, I wanted to do it myself. So when I returned home I started working for Kai Wa`a making epoxy and carbon fiber wa`a, or outrigger canoes.
Between working there and hanging around all the surfboard and windsurf shapers I learned to use epoxy and the technologies that utilize it. I eventually met another legend, windsurfer/shaper Mark Angulo who recognized my enthusiasm and helped me build my first board, the Prototype.
I now work part time for Kai Wa`a and build, start to finish, TL waveskis in my Hai`ku workshop.