Luís Carvalho — Designer & shaper, Portugal
I design boards before I shape them. That is the difference you feel in the water.
03 — Method
How a board happens
Listen
Who is surfing it, where and how. Before any line is drawn.
Design
Outline, rocker and volume designed with intent — the part most shapers skip.
Shape
Hand-finished. Every curve checked by eye and by hand.
Ride & refine
Feedback from the water closes the loop for the next board.
Gallery — in the water
In his words
“Most of my friends from the heart are (or were) groms. I feel so happy when I make their boards. I get really excited to help them improve their surfing.”
— Luís Carvalho
Meet Luís →04 — Selected work
Chosen for relevance
05 — Lacrau Surfboards
The quiver
3D — Anatomy of a board
01 — Outline
The template is drawn by hand before anything is cut.
02 — Rocker
Curve from nose to tail decides how the board meets the wave.
03 — Rails
Volume moved to the edges for grip, release and control.
04 — Material
Cork and resin chosen for flex, feel and a longer life.
Questions, answered
What does Luís Carvalho do for surf brands?+
Luís designs and develops surfboard models for brands: outline, rocker, volume and rail design, CAD production files, hand-shaped prototypes, testing and technical collaboration.
How do I order a custom Lacrau surfboard?+
Fill in the Lacrau order form with your details and surfing. Luís reads it personally and continues the conversation by email, phone or WhatsApp before anything is shaped.
Can we work under an NDA?+
Yes. Confidentiality is part of the service. You can request an NDA in the brand form before sharing any details of your project.
Does Lacrau make boards for kids?+
Yes. Lacrau has a collection designed specifically for groms' weight, height and strength, so young surfers can progress faster.