Open since September 2023 in Saint-Malo, Atelier de la Glisse reflects the vision of two water sports enthusiasts, where sustainability and local know-how are the order of the day: Mathieu, a materials engineer and artisan shaper since 2015, and Lucas, whom we met at a foil manufacturing company. They offer us a tale where technical expertise and environmental awareness meet.
What is the Atelier de la Glisse concept, and how do you stand out in the surf market?
L'Atelier de la Glisse is dedicated to the repair of boardsports equipment: composite, pneumatic, plastic and wood. Unlike other workshops of this type or shape, here the priority is repair. The sustainable aspect of our approach is to extend the life of existing equipment. Given that board sports can have a significant ecological impact, it's essential that second-hand equipment is reused and given a second life.
Can you tell us about the innovative materials you use and their impact on performance?
On the one hand, we use materials of recycled origin, such as PU - polyurethane - from the Polyola brand, which reduces the "carbon equivalent impact" by half compared to conventional boards with virgin PU. This recycled material even offers better impact resistance and stiffness. Then, for a second range of boards, we use only Paulownia wood from sustainable plantations in Spain. The results? A drastically minimized environmental footprint, a board that retains excellent mechanical performance and reduced weight thanks to highly optimized reinforcements.
What is your comprehensive repair offering for board sports?
We can repair all kinds of boards: surf, SUP, windsurf, kite, wing, kayak, foils and even tenders and RIBs. For larger volumes, we can travel to you to carry out repairs on site. We guarantee a turnaround time of one week for standard repairs.
What different ranges of Jacq Surfboards do you offer, and how do these boards meet the varied needs of surfers?
The brand promotes three ranges of surfboards, each with its own advantages:
- The first group includes classic PU planks, which can be decorated in any way and feature reinforced lamination.
- The boards in the second range have a core of recycled material with excellent impact resistance, greatly improving ageing.
- The third category comprises wooden boards with a so-called "hollow" construction. These boards feature a hollowed-out skeleton optimized for lightness and durability.
We offer a range of shapes for beginners and experienced surfers alike. For the latter, or for those with a particular preference for certain board models, we make custom creations.
Could you describe the different phases of board shaping?
It takes two to three weeks to make a board, and a total of 15 to 25 hours of work. The first phase consists of carving the board using woodworking tools. Once the shape has been finalized, the board is successively laminated and sanded to create the shell around the foam. This is also where we add color, using pigments mixed with the resin. Then comes the finishing phase, when the board is polished!
Mathieu and Lucas offer a local alternative, where each board they repair or create becomes an act of environmental preservation, a tribute to longevity, far removed from the concept of mass production. Combining craftsmanship and innovation, their boards are sustainable artistic expressions, rooted in an authentic riding ethic.
