Born in 1978, David grew up in landlocked Switzerland, far from the sea and its waves but “water has always been his element, liquid or solid form”. Uncovering his obsession with the ocean while holidaying on the French coast as a child, his surfing story started with a Fish made by Jean Bouldoires. Classically trained as a watchmaker, he left his homeland to travel and after working on boats and trying other things, David has found his true calling in Phuket. 

He’s been shaping surfboards for over a decade living by the “Live Simple and Consume Less” mantra that translates onto the materials used during board construction which are 100% hand built from start to finish.

At Nexen, David is responsible for the design of the Wing Foil range of boards and was instrumental in the development of the prone boards.

Find out more about David’s work: www.elleciel.com/ 

https://www.koktailmagazine.com/content-detail/shape-shifters