the
SHAPER
THE RANCH AT LAGUNA BEACH ADDS TWO NEW the
EXCLUSIVE CULTURAL EXPERIENCES TO THE MIX .
By JENNIFER PAPPAS YENNIE
&
PAINTER
Tucked away in a pocket of Aliso and Wood canyons , across Coast Highway from the Pacific Ocean , The Ranch at Laguna Beach offers a unique retreat for locals and visitors — whether they ’ re staying for the weekend or dropping by for dinner or game on the expansive golf course . In addition to the many existing amenities , the boutique resort recently launched two new exclusive experiences for overnight guests . Unique to Laguna , The Shaper and The Painter ( aka : Gary Larson and John Cosby , respectively ) offer guests an immersive cultural experience related to what are , arguably , the city ’ s most quintessential activities : surfing and plein air painting .
THE SHAPER Larson spent his childhood about a mile up the road from Doheny Beach . With the ocean as his backyard , he spent much of his time either fishing or surfing , landing a job at Infinity Surfboard shop in Dana Point when he was only 15 . Observing the ins and outs of surfboard shaping during his shifts at the shop , he fell in love with the craft and , after paying his dues “ sweeping up foam dust and wood shavings ,” he started working as a surfboard shaper himself . He was 16 . In 2005 , he was asked to work for Hobie alongside the iconic Terry Martin — every shaper ’ s dream . He took the job and hasn ’ t looked back .
Larson ’ s passion for surfing and the
Surfboard shaper Gary Larson ( above ) and some of the boards he has made ( right )
physical world ( in addition to shaping , he is also a part-time college professor of geography ), coupled with his 20-plus years of experience , make him the ideal collaborator for The Shaper experience .
The process begins with a phone call . Once the basic details of board size and style are worked out , the real experience begins . Clients will meet Larson for lunch at a brewpub across the street from Hobie Surf Shop
TOP : JOSH PHILLIPS ; BOTTOM : ASHLEY RYAN
46 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM