Nearly 40 years ago

Another from the Joe Bright Collection. Ke Iki Reef, March, 1974. Can't be sure but could that be Mark Liddell and Buttons Kaluhiokalani (or maybe Larry Bertlemann) checking it out?

Surfboard For Our Next Auction

Jim "The Genius" Phillips crafted this amazing creation for our auction. Unfortunately it wasn't finished in time, so we'll be including it in the next one, in 2015. This beauty has 13 balsa stringers and the fin is a work of art! Wall hanger or rider, you put in the winning bid and get to decide.

Gordie "Banjo" Model

Gordie Duane, shaping a board, April 26, 1963. Photo: LeRoy Grannis

Surfing magazine published a “shapers tree” that documented our surfboard industry’s shapers up to that point in time. There were countless unknown Hawaiian shapers in the early history of our sport.  But not much is known about surfboard craftsmen until after 1900, when surfing was popularized in Waikiki by the sport’s official ambassador, Duke Kahanamoku. Amongst Duke’s peers, there was a great waterman and surfboard shaper named Able Gomes who taught Gordie how to shape his first board. Gordon Duane was very proud that his name appeared in the shapers tree in the third tier right below Duke Kahanamoku.

Surfing Heritage's Founder, Dick Metz, picked up this unique Gordie at our recent auction. Here's what the auction catalogue had to say about the board: There are plenty of ‘unique’ surfboards on the auction block and this Gordie ‘Banjo’ model definitely falls into that category. First designed by the ever- flamboyant Dale Velzy the ‘banjo’ was basically an exaggerated pig shape, with the wide point moved way back of center. Essentially a gimmick, with not enough made to qualify as an actual model, this Gordie is one of the only examples of the design from a major label. That being said it’s an absolutely beautiful example, with some fine pigment work and pin-lining applied to what today has to be considered one of the most interesting boards on the collectable market.

Early Gordie ad in Surfer Magazine.

100 Year Old Book on Surfing

The exhibition, The Surf Riders of Hawaii, features the Gurrey family's personal edition of the book. It is being loaned by the Gurrey family for the exhibition, which will also include reproductions of each page in the book and other materials relating to the early publication. The exhibition will be on view at Surfing Heritage everyday of the week except Sundays, from March 2 to May 4, 2013.

Shortly after A.R. Gurrey closed Gurrey's Art & Photo Supplies in 1923, his home suffered a fire and flood that is believed to have destroyed his original negatives. This book is one of the few records of Gurrey's photographic work and of early surfing in Hawaii. 

Gurrey's The Surf Riders of Hawaii will be included in the forthcoming Surfing Heritage Vintage Surf Auction California Gold presented by the Quiksilver Waterman Collection. For more information: CLICK HERE 

Lance Carson Portrait by John Durant

Photographer, John Durant, donated this amazing portrait of Malibu legend, Lance Carson at home in his other element, the shaping room. Lance's "living room", would be on the nose of a surfboard. Click on the image to see it larger, and click HERE to see John's portraits of other iconic shapers.