Maxime Bono, founder of The Salty Mustache and manufacturer of snowboards in Cannes.

-

Thibault Siman

  • Maxime Bono traveled the world before returning to Cannes and developing his plan to manufacture boards for gliding.

  • The craftsman also repairs surfers' boards and uses excess resin to make coffee tables and other accessories.

The world of snow sports is not just for the

west coast

.

If surfers manage to catch waves in the Mediterranean, they also need someone to take care of their main hobby: the board.

It is in this area that Maxime Bono has found his place.

This 26-year-old native of Cannes launched The Salty Mustache a few months ago, a shop for snowboarding (surfboards / foilboards) and interior decoration.

"Passionate about board sports since my youngest age, I started to shape [manufacture and customize] seven years ago, experimentally and self-taught in my garage, drawing inspiration from other shapers", explains the Maxime Bono.

Initially, a personal pleasure for him and his surfing friends.

But since his experiences abroad, he decided to make this hobby one of his main activities.

“I have always worked in manual trades.

After obtaining my diplomas, I decided to travel: first Australia, where I was a kitesurf instructor, then Asia and Canada before ending up in the Caribbean, still as an instructor ”, says the Cannes.

But because of the Covid-19, the world tour stops.

“The anticipated return to France was brutal.

During confinement, I returned to work in my workshop and when I left, a friend hired me in his carpentry and zinc work.

So today I have a very busy schedule with The Salty Mustache on top of it, but it's worth it!

".

"The custom is above all a way of adapting the board to the surfer and to his use"

Installed in his workshop, Maxime Bono makes surfboards, foils [surfboards with a fin that allows the board to be above the water] and strapless kitesurfing [without attaching to the feet], and all that , Made entirely by hand.

“For me, artisanal manufacturing is essential.

The custom is above all a way of adapting the board to the surfer and his use, while combining performance and personalized decoration ”.

Concretely, to make your own

board

, you have to: “Define the shape of the board.

Work it in thickness to refine its profile.

Then, laminate with fiberglass, carbon or linen, all possible materials depending on the constraints of use of the board.

And last step, place the fins, without forgetting the finishes to remove imperfections after sanding ”.

Note that the boards made by Maxime Bono are made with products that come from suppliers on the West Coast.

To complete his activity, he also repairs polyester and epoxy boards as well as coffee tables.

He explains: “I have people around me who are interested in the project but who do not practice surfing.

So, I also looked into the creation of unique accessories using the excess resin from the surfboards made in the workshop, as well as some ready-to-wear products in the image of the brand, in partnership with regional workshops.

"

Even if his heart may regret his adventures in other waters, it is on the Côte d'Azur that he feels like a fish: “I wanted to bring this project to life in the region because it is here that I cut my teeth and that I have my relatives.

And then, we will not hide it, it is a superb region!

Admittedly, it does not surf every day as all surfers would hope, but being in the water with a view of the snow-capped mountains, there is no need to say: it's magic!

".

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  • Surf