I'm chasing suggestions on where I'd begin to learn to make professional grade repairs on surfboards. In the past I've done my own minor repairs using 2 part epoxy or solar res, usually with less than stunning but workable results. Recent larger jobs I've sent off to the professionals, but I did start poking around youtube. My new place has a very large workshop, and I've become interested in possibly doing bigger jobs for myself and friends in future, but I'm guessing there's a lot more to the board repair game than trawlling over youtube videos.

For those in the know, how did you learn to glass? I'm just thinking in terms of repairing holes/dings and snappages at a decent level. I'd imagine hitting up a local shaper would be the best bet, but figured it probably wouldn't be in their best interests to have potential customers learning the craft, along with the fact I have no previous experience in this area.

There are loads of good vids, so many ways of fixing dings, with varying levels. From the pros to the backyard last minute jobs.

Best advise I can give you is to go and see Colin Earl for the materials and basic run down, the rest is practice and more practice.

You will get better at it the more you do it, thing that sucks is when you go a long time without needing to then you have to try and get back in the groove in a hurry cos the surf is pumping!