Bill and Sophie Attlee founded Escape Surfboards in 1997. Bill says "My first experience of surfboard construction came in 1974, when after surfing already for 8 years I decided that as a qualified boat-builder and now a joiner it would be cheaper if I made my own boards. I brought a kit from ‘Strand Glass’, who included the components for blowing my own blank, after duly making a blank mould out of hardboard, I ended with a blank that resembled a loaf of bread!

The subsequent resultant board was a swallow-tailed stinger (all the rage in those days), with a green bottom and dark blue deck. I can’t say that the board looked very good but it worked enough for me to want to perfect my technique. I managed to get some tips from Peter Mitchell who was making boards for European Champion Graham Nile and from there on I brought ready made blanks, making boards for myself and friends.

In 1982 I was co-founder of ‘Lightwave Sailboards’ which with the inspiration of Californian Clyde Beatty was leading the way in defining techniques in making super lightweight surf and sailboards utilising epoxy and polystyrene construction. ‘Lightwave’ went on to become one of the most successful European board manufacturers, we were producing up to 600 sail + 200 surfboards per year, alongside our range of accessories and clothing.

In 1992 I left ‘Lightwave’ to set up business in ‘Brest’ northern France, as a specialist in high performance short and longboards, I really learnt the meaning of ‘custom’! In 1996 a partner joined the business and I was able to return to Cornwall, supplying my French contacts and re-built my UK market.

Escape has grown every year as the demand for our boards continues to expand. As well as our own brand we have made boards for labels such as ‘Hot Buttered’, ‘Tiki’, ’O’Shea’, ‘Tubes’. I like to diversify so using the epoxy sandwich construction, make sailboards, kiteboards and even surf skis! I strongly believe that you can’t be a good shaper if you are not prepared to produce any surf vehicle that a customer might require, besides which it is more interesting to over come problems and learn about different sports.