One of the most stylish and successful American goofyfoots of all time was almost an Australian. That’s right: Rob Machado, Cardiff’s humble, smooth-flowing prodigal son, former world runner-up and 2000 Pipe Master could have easily been a cocky, animal-nicknamed ocker who had a single purpose in life: stop those American wankers. And the scary thing is, he just might have done it.

Machado was born in a Sydney hospital to Jim and Chris Machado, a California surfer and British student who had met at an Australian ski lodge in the mid ’60s. Rob’s father, Jim, who had grown up surfing under Ricky Grigg’s tutelage, decided to hit the road after a short stint in the military and a couple of years of community college. Australia was the highlight of his travels, and with the escalating war in … Read More »

In the mid-’70s, surfing was wild — long hair was paramount, contest conformity was bogus and feral quests for mystical waves were the road to nirvana. The last thing the sport wanted was a professional, well-spoken figure at the helm, but that’s what it got in Shaun Tomson. Years ahead of his contemporaries, he stood alone with articulate grace and redefined tuberiding in the process.

Tomson was born in Durban, South Africa, where he picked up his first longboard at age 10. He made the transition to shortboards as the revolution encompassed the world in years to follow. By the time the ’60s were out, Tomson had won the South African Boys’ title, attended his Bar Mitzvah and had his first experience in Hawaiian surf.

In 1973, Tomson performed his civic duty by serving 18 months in … Read More »

Lightning Bolt Brand | From Surfboards, to Silence, to Resurgence

Lightning Bolt was one of the first heavy-hitter surf companies back in the early ‘70s. Born from legendary shapers Jack Shipley and Gerry Lopez, surfers knew they were getting quality product and flocked to Hawaii to get their hands on Lightning Bolt boards and apparel. Though the presence of Lightning Bolt fell off the radar after its hay-day, Lightning Bolt has lived on and prospered in Europe for the past 20 years. Jon Paskowitz, now president of Lightning Bolt, witnessed the growth and success of the company firsthand in his youth. Now two years into the re-launch of Lightning Bolt in the U.S., there’s none better than the legendary Paskowitz name to re-establish the hype and put Lightning Bolt back on the map. Here’s Jon … Read More »

“Surf Design” shaped by Larry McElheny for pipeline charger, Howard Farrant.  Pintail Pipeline special, that was used by Howard on the North Shore during the early/mid 70’s.     Randy Rarick Hawaii Surfing Promotions

KEY: O= Original, R= Repaired, RF= Refurbished. Condition of board rated: 1(worst)-10(best)

Board Dimensions
Length: 8′ 5″
Width: 20″ 
Thickness: 3″ 1/4

This is a great example of a 1975 Pipe Gun.  Ridden in solid pipe, see photo above of pipe charger Howard Farrant riding this exact board.  Farrant, still living in Hawaii, artist, teacher and soul underground charger back in the day.  Some minor ding repairs, glossed and polished otherwise all original. (9)r I acquired this pipe gun before the 2007 Hawaiian Surf Auction, as it did … Read More »

Bill is best known, as one of the select group of surfers who made names for themselves surfing the large waves of Hawaii’s, North Shore during the 1970s.  He is also widely regarded as one the worlds premier surfboard designers and shapers, dominating in that position from the mid ’70s to early ’80s.  Bill’s athletic interests have spanned a broad spectrum of multi-sport activities, including respect as one of Hawaii’s top yachtsmen and expert class, motorcycle trial riders.  Bill’s zeal for life and commitment to live it expansively, is obvious in everything he does, easily spilling over onto those around him.

Originally a machinist by trade, Bill left that rigid environment for one with greater artistic freedom – designing and building the softer curves of surfboards and other watercraft.  His familiarity with the precise use of measurements … Read More »

Established over 30 years ago, Channin Surboards builds some finely crated boards for riders all over the world. After 5 years as Channin/Diffenderfer Surfboards, the Channin Surfboards label was developed in 1970. Today they build all styles of surfboards from the 1960’s to present. The Channin factory is the premier glass shop in San Diego County.

www.channinsurfboards.com

KEY: O=Original, R= Repaired, RF= Refurbished. Condition of board rated: 1(worst)-10(best)

Board Dimensions
Length: 8′ 10″
Width: 
Thickness:

1974 Channin Hawaiian Gun 8’ 10″

Nearly mint triple stringer gun built for Pipeline and some of the other big wave spots of Oahu’s North Shore. Channin was partners with and heavily influenced in his surfboard designs by his partner Mike Diffenderfer, it really shows here. Diffenderfer was known as the ’Michelangelo of … Read More »

Consistency is a dirty word to young pros. Nobody wants the label, and nobody could benefit more from it than Andy Irons.

In the full range of conditions, Irons has blown out the field on multiple occasions, even taking out six-time world champion Kelly Slater. Given a hint of the “C” word, Irons could be king. Most recently Irons took out a stacked roster of locals and the top WCT pros for his 4th Vans Triple Crown Title, including a win at Haleiwa and the infamous Pipeline Masters.

The lush tropical setting of Kauai has been home to the Irons clan from day one. Phil Irons transplanted from California in 1970, marrying wife Danielle in 1976. Just a year younger than Andy is brother Bruce — his childhood sparring partner and an equally talented surfer.

Kauai, … Read More »

KEY: O= Original, R= Repaired, RF= Refurbished. Condition of board rated: 1(worst)-10(best)

Board Dimensions
Length: 6′ 8″
Width: 19″ 1/2
Thickness: 2″ 3/4
I acquired this out of  the North Shore Oahu, Hawaii.  Ebay. Great early 70’s Mini-North Shore Gun.Bitchen single pin fast outline template.  Love that glassed in fin and lam on the deck.  One of my favorite Hawaiian Surfboards. Simple is More! Been meaning to take it out to Sunset for a speed run.  Anyone have information on the history of  Surfboards Oahu?  Please reply below.  Aloha! (o) 8

KEY: O= Original, R= Repaired, RF= Refurbished. Condition of board rated: 1(worst)-10(best)

Board Dimensions
Length: 5′ 5″
Width: 20″ 7/8
Thickness: 2″

Classic 1970’s all original Keel Fish.  Backyard crafted, unknown on Templin and Penny. This board catches your eye and is a great example of the fish era and knee board revolution.  slight concave deck, resin multi-color rainbow deck. Clean wood, fiberglass laid up fins. This board has not had many miles put on it. Acquired this from a Major Board Collector out of the IE.  What is your take on it?  (o) 9

Born in San Diego, California, Noll became famous for his exploits in large Hawaiian surf on the North Shore of Oahu. He first gained a reputation in November of 1957 after surfing Waimea Bay in 25-30 ft surf when it had previously been thought impossible even to the local Hawaiians. He is perhaps best known for being the first surfer to ride a wave breaking on the outside reef at the so-called Banzai Pipeline in November of 1964. “To establish our lineups,” Greg Noll wrote, “we worked off Kaena Point and back up on the hill behind Pupukea, taking three or four azimuths, until we finally got our lineups in late afternoon, just as this one particular wave came through. It was the only wave I caught that whole day, and it’s permanently etched in my … Read More »