Biggest Wave Ever Surfed

The evolution of the surfboard, from traditional Hawaiian folk designs to masterpieces of mathematical engineering to mass-produced fiberglass.

Surfboards were once made of wood and shaped by hand, objects of both cultural and recreational significance. Today most surfboards are mass-produced with fiberglass and a stew of petrochemicals, moving (or floating) billboards for athletes and their brands, emphasizing the commercial rather than the cultural. Surf Craft maps this evolution, examining surfboard design and craft with 150 color images and an insightful text. From the ancient Hawaiian alaia, the traditional board of the common people, to the unadorned boards designed with mathematical precision (but built by hand) by Bob Simmons, to the store-bought longboards popularized by the 1959 surf-exploitation movie Gidget, board design reflects both aesthetics and history. The decline of traditional alaia board riding is not only an example of a lost art but also a metaphor for the disintegration of traditional culture after the Republic of Hawaii was overthrown and annexed in the 1890s.

In his text, Richard Kenvin looks at the craft and design of surfboards from a historical and cultural perspective. He views board design as an exemplary model of mingei, or art of the people, and the craft philosophy of Soetsu Yanagi. Yanagi believed that a design’s true beauty and purpose are revealed when it is put to its intended use. In its purest form, the craft of board building, along with the act of surfing itself, exemplifies mingei. Surf Craft pays particular attention to Bob Simmons’s boards, which are striking examples of this kind of functional design, mirroring the work of postwar modern California designers.

Surf Craft is published in conjunction with an exhibition at San Diego’s Mingei International Museum.

Product Features

• Mit Press

A universal fit soft SUP, longboard, or surfboard roof rack, this rack is all you need to get your boards from your home or shop to the water and back. It includes 2 rack pads (for front and back) and includes 2 sets of straps that will secure the pads to the roof of your car, and secure your surfboards to the pads.

It’s designed to work with different kinds of boards — from your smallest surf boards to larger flatwater or yoga paddleboards.

It’s also designed to work with all different types of vehicles without existing roof racks, from sedans, to SUVs, to pickup trucks. The pads securely directly to the roof of your car. Generally the rack works with cars with sunroofs, but also check out for any large or fixed antennas on your car roof that might get in the way of your boards.

Built for use on up to highway speeds.

Product Features

• Removable and Universal Car Rack for SUP, longboard, and surfboard
• Fits most vehicles that don’t have existing roof racks — sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc
• Durable foam padding to protect your boards
• Designed for highway speed travel

Well designed, low profile, wooden display rack – an essential for any surfer. This rack’s stylish, yet minimalist design makes it perfect for indoor use, yet its durable construction allows for outdoor use as well. Buy several racks and display your unique board collection, transforming your boards into wall art. The rack easily and securely mounts to the wall, displaying your boards. Racks are individually crafted in the United States using premium grade birch. *Mounting hardware is included.

Product Features

• DESIGNED WITH THE SURFER IN MIND: This rack comes off the wall 23″ with 21″ arms, providing a sleek design to store and display your shortboard, longboard, fish, and most all other surfboard types (up to 30 lbs. per level)
• MADE IN THE UNITED STATES BY SURFERS: Steve’s Rack Shack uses only responsibly sourced premium birch that provides YOU with the highest quality of goods, built to last.
• PROTECT YOUR BOARD: Each rack is lined with foam, gently protecting your board from dings creating a perfect way to display each board. Instead of fixing dings, spend your time surfing and enjoying the waves!
• Instructions: 1) Use screws to secure uprights to wall. 2) Interlock arms to uprights. NOTE: Arms slant upward. 3) Use binding bolts to secure arms to uprights. 4) Put binding bolts in holes above and below the arms. 5) Attach foam to top of each arm, press firmly.
• SATISFACTION GUARANTEED: This sleek rack is a high-quality product made in the United States for surfers by surfers.

The PUMA Suede Classic Sneaker delivers an old-school look with elevated features. The lace-up closure provides a secure fit. A cushioned midsole provides plenty of comfort and support for your feet during each wear. With its smooth suede and streetwise swagger, this throw-back kick remains PUMA’s most epic icon of sport-inspired style.

Product Features

• Suede sneaker with Formstrip overlay featuring lace-up vamp and padded collar and tongue

Volcom top selling walk short is now updated with the extreme comfort of reprieve recycled polyester and elastane stretch twill blend fabrics. Featuring a 21 inch out seam, modern slimmer fit, slant front pockets, rear welt pockets and a pre laundered treatment. From the skate park to the school yard these shorts will be the first choice for those in the know.

Product Features

• Modern-fit chino short featuring asymmetric back yoke seaming and welted seat pockets
• Outseam: 21″
• Slant front pockets