I’m very sad today. I got a call from an old friend informing me that Larry Gordon had passed on New Years day. I had the great honor and privilege to surf with Larry on a regular basis over the years. When I was just learning to surf, Larry was there, usually with a smile and quiet word of tolerance, if not encouragement. When I was learning to shape, Larry was there, with a smile and a quiet word of tolerance, and encouragement. When I would show up at Tourmaline with a fresh board, still in plastic, to deliver, his sole piece of advice was “more color!”. I’ve heeded that advice, along with every other nugget of wisdom he was so generous to pass along. So the next time I show up with a board to deliver, I will probably hear the echo of “more color!” and head out to pumphouse and catch more waves than I deserve, because I used to sit next to Larry, and nobody new that place like he did, and I paid attention.
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HPH for DK
last shape for a little while. 6’10″x 22 3/4″x 3″
thanks to the cast and crew up on the hill at Bing.
now @ birD’s
10’0″x23 1/4″x3 3/8″ EDB/glider
Beautiful grey and pink 50/50 resin color, resin leash loop, single box, gloss and polish. 100% produced by hand up on the hill. You can catch a BUNCH of waves with this one!
The bottom starts with some belly for nice soft, anti-pearl entry, then flows to a single concave through the middle, blending to a generous double concave out the back. Glide through the winter!
at Bird’s
avalon tattoo and mast surfboards
The current crew.
I have had the great pleasure of working at Avalon Tattoo in Pacific Beach for the past eighteen years. During that time I have made my home both here and Cincinnati where I work at Designs by Dana. The beauty of this setup is that I get to shape the surfboards I love as opposed to the surfboards I think will sell. In effect, this has allowed me to develop my model lines as I pleased. I am proud of the result and very gratified at the number of people that enjoy my shapes and the style of surfing that they encourage. I’ve always said when it comes to surfing styles, some people like to waltz, some people like to slam dance. I believe my shapes foster a style somewhere in between, a style dictated by finding the sweet spot on each wave and letting the wave do the work for you. Tuning in, so to speak, with the natural energy on tap in each wave.
Please look for my boards at Bird’s Surf Shed, Mission Surf, and Mitch’s North.
fresh 7’3″ hillbilly hull
fresh from the extremely capable hands of the boys up on the hill (Bing and Jacobs), a new very light olive hillbilly hull.
7’3″x22″x2 3/4″
Somebody better claim it before I do. I’ve got one just like it back in Cincinnati for East Coast trips, but I sure miss it.
being back 2
It’s not easy to describe the satisfaction, the feeling of community at your local break to friends and family that have never experienced anything quite like it. It is one of the great priveledges and pleasures of life.
Stevie, Tourmaline Canyon, taking a moment. On his way to the Point.
freshies
just dropped at birD’s surf shed, 8’5″ EDB garbage picker, and 7’3″ hillbilly hull turbo. Both of these boards were designed with the Cliffs in mind, but will work in a variety of waves. Both feature beautiful tints and “Southbay” panels/rails, the 8’5″‘s rails are fully glossed but finished in satin, the 7’3″ is fully polished.
New batch of mast tee’s!
Printing a new series of block print tee’s. Each shirt is hand printed, one at a time, one of a kind, on quality 100% cotton tees. All blocks are cut by me and printed by myself and my lovely wife Karen. If you’d like one for Christmas, hit me up and I can send images of what I have available. $30 to your door (in the US).
cool shirts
Met Justin tonight at the Bing one year shop anniversary party. Nice kid, cool shirts.
introducing the lima bean!
Coming soon to Bird’s Surf Shed, the lima bean, a short, extra curvy HPH variant for generating speed on those small mushy days we all love so much.
mast surfboards 