Design Archive

Young Hank Warner hanging 5 on a beached surfboard
Shaped by Hand, Driven by Passion: 65 Years of G&S Surfboards & Skateboards
From Larry Gordon and Floyd Smith's San Diego workshop in 1959 to third-generation rider Mele Saili and head shaper Chris Darby today — the G&S story is one of craft,... Read more...
G&S Custom Surfboard Orders: How does it work?
G&S Custom Surfboard Orders: How does it work?
Custom Orders are our specialty. Whether you are a Novice or Experienced, we can help you become a better surfer by putting the right board under your feet to make... Read more...
Nicaragua Travel Blog - Isaac Wood & JP Marengo
Nicaragua Travel Blog - Isaac Wood & JP Marengo
....black sand beach and the waves are consistently 4-5' but can get much bigger.  Sandy bottom, paper thing tubes made the first paddle out not too intimidating and easily gave us the... Read more...
eagle glider
Ride More Waves, Feel More Stoke: The G&S Glider Guide
Gliders are the fastest-growing category in longboarding — and G&S has been shaping them since 1967. Find out which model is right for you. Read more...
Spotlight: Women and Surf History - East Coast meets West in 1967 with Karen Howard
Spotlight: Women and Surf History - East Coast meets West in 1967 with Karen Howard
It always amazes me that the Surf Industry is so interwoven in the most surprising ways.  I got to catch up and hear some fun Surf History from Karen Howard... Read more...
G&S and Vannen Watches
G&S and Vannen Watches
We’re excited to announce that G&S has teamed up with @VannenWatches to release a limited edition Neil Blender watch! Read more...
First Sliding Fin Box by Larry Gordon - Gordon & Smith
First Sliding Fin Box by Larry Gordon - Gordon & Smith
Fun Fact: In the late 60’s, Larry Gordon started developing a new Fin System out of frustrations with the current WAVE Set system. He wanted to create a way that... Read more...
First Shaping Machine at G&S in the 60s
First Shaping Machine at G&S in the 60s
In 1964 Larry Gordon got the idea for a shaping machine. He had a relative who was an inventor named Herb Bent. Herb had designed and built a lot of... Read more...
twin fin & egg
EGG & TWIN FIN
These two models were introduced by G&S Surfboards in about 1971. See this original Ad published in Surfer Magazine. The Egg, developed largely by Skip Frye while he was shaping... Read more...
70-'s Design Forum Series #1: The Fish Tail
70-'s Design Forum Series #1: The Fish Tail
Thrust or acceleration out of a turn depends on deflecting speed efficiently and upon capturing the wave's power at the instant a turn is being completed. "Capturing Power" is done... Read more...