Throw back Thursday, 1965 ads appeared in “The Skateboard Quarterly” of the first Fiberglass Flexible Skateboard. Skip Frye ad and a poster introducing the Surf skates....
Skateboarding was a quick passing fad for a few years in the mid-60s. The Fibreflex was way ahead of its time.
#firstflexibleskateboard
#60thanniversary
#fibreflexskateboards

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 Surfers could fine-tune the position of a fiberglass fin or adjust for different surfing conditions. With 90% of it figured out, there were a few problems to sort out. That’s when Larry called Bill Bahne for his engineering expertise and ultimately created what would become the FINS UNLIMITED Fin Box that Gordon & Smith would endorse and use.......we still use it as our standard single box “go to” today on the boards we glass in our factory. Thank you @finsunlimited -Photo by: Bill Yerkes and other photos from the Gordon & Smith Archives. #surfboardfins

 

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 the machines at Gordon Plastics (Larry’s father’s-business) Larry & Herb worked in their spare time for months on the weekendsof the G&S models. It was created because of the lack of good shapers at the time. #firstshapingmachine
Once better shapers were available, it got shelved for more shaping rooms....
#handshapedsurfboards

#60thanniversary #beentheredonethat
Photo: Bill Yerkes aka Balsa Bill

 

Dominic Picone is our youngest and latest addition to the G&S lineup. Born and raised in San Diego, Dominic takes a pride in his hometown, especially when it comes to the surf scene. He brings an energy and enthusiasm to our Shaping Bay with a reverence for Surf History and design philiosophy. You will see his shaping style is heavily influenced by many San Diego legends that have come through G&S Shaping Bays over the decades. His inspiration is shaping boards inspired from the 60's and 70's while adding his own modern twist to improve tried and true models. Dominic loves to talk surfboards so when you see him around....say "Hello" and you'll be talking surfboards before you know it !

Neil Blender has refined his 80’s shape and paired it with his “Faces” Graphic. Stay tuned for other surprises that might happen with Neil envolved here at G&S