Shaping a free blank (advice needed)

[RinkyDink]

I think it was Michelangelo or some such artist who claimed to see his completed sculpture in the block of material he was working with and that the actual sculpting part was simply a matter of chipping away the material covering the final object. I'm hoping one day that 3D printers or some other machine will be able to do the actual shaping of a blank based on the dimensions the designer selects. (This technology already exists, but access to the machines is still out reach for most people. I'm assuming.) Anyway, I don't think I would have the knack for chipping and sanding out the final board shape. As far as shaping is concerned, the part I'm interested in is setting the dimensions of the board. Dealing with foam shavings, wearing a breathing mask, inhaling resin, sanding-sanding-sanding, etc. . . don't really have much appeal to me. If I had a free blank, I'd probably take it to a good shaper and say, "Here's my blank, let's talk about the kind of finished board we can get out of it." In other words, you can get a custom board minus the cost of the blank. On the other hand, shaping the board yourself will probably teach you invaluable lessons, but most of those will be craftsmanship skills rather than a deeper understanding of the elements of a surfboard's shape. Just my two cents.