- Custom made Surfboards Shaped by @wilkerson_surfcraft - Bondi Beach - 

Crafting Surfboards with Passion and Precision

For Matt Wilkerson, hand-shaping and designing surfboards is more than a profession—it’s an artistic process and a deep personal passion. At Sunburnt Mess Surfboards, based at the iconic Bondi Beach, Pat has collaborated with Matt to combine decades of experience, creative flair, and an unwavering love for surfing to craft boards that are as unique as the surfers who ride them.

“No surfer is the same, so why would they want their surfboards to be?” Matt asks. He firmly believes in the individuality of every surfer and tailors each board to fit their unique style and needs. Whether it’s a high-performance shortboard or a cruisy longboard, Matt’s handcrafted designs capture the essence of riding waves your own way.

History and Influences

Matt’s journey as a surfboard shaper began in San Diego in the late 1980s, where he learned the craft as a young apprentice with Rusty Preisendorfer, founder of Rusty Surfboards. Surrounded by some of the industry’s best, Matt was inspired by legendary shapers like Pat Rawson. Rawson’s innovative theories on board and blank design left a lasting impression on Matt, fueling his ambition to bring his own vision to life.

Like many young surfers, Matt dreamt of living and surfing in Hawaii. That dream became reality when he moved to the North Shore, where he worked alongside the iconic Donald Takayama. Takayama’s stunning craftsmanship and design philosophy heavily influenced Matt, shaping his own approach to blending beauty and performance in surfboards.

During his time in Hawaii, Matt established his own label and gained a reputation for creating boards that were as functional as they were beautiful. From longboards to big-wave guns, his designs were embraced by locals, legends, and everyone in between. A career highlight was seeing one of his guns surfed at The Eddie, a prestigious big-wave surfing event—an unforgettable moment that continues to inspire him to this day.

Later, Matt moved west to Makaha, where he was warmly welcomed by the local community. Immersed in Hawaiian culture, he found new meaning in his craft and life, values that continue to flow through every board he shapes today.

Today

After meeting his Australian wife in Hawaii, Matt relocated to Sydney, Australia. There, he worked with renowned surfboard companies such as Bennett Surfboards and Channel Islands, all while continuing to design and shape under his own label. Eventually, Matt and his family settled on the Sunshine Coast, falling in love with its waves, sense of community, and creative energy.

From his workshop, Matt pours his heart and soul into each Sunburnt Mess surfboard. His boards are more than just tools for surfing—they’re pieces of art, designed to bring joy and freedom to surfers of all levels. Whether you’re catching your first wave or charging big swells, a Sunburnt Mess surfboard is your perfect partner in the water.

Contact Sunburnt Mess Surfboards For custom orders or inquiries, reach out to the Sunburnt Mess team at Bondi Beach, where every board tells a story and celebrates the beauty of surfing.