Boardroom Show Podcast Featuring Randy Rarick | October 2024
For the second time in 2024, Scott Bass from The Boardroom Show interviewed Randy Rarick in advance of the upcoming (Oct 5 to Oct 19, 2024) California Gold Vintage Surf Auction in addition to the Boardroom International Surfboard Show in Del Mar CA (October 12-13). Titled “𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳: 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗥𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 & 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿y”, the two discussed exactly what the title of the episode indicates. One highlight that historians will really enjoy is Randy’s accounting of Charlie Galanto. Galanto may not be as well known as the likes of Dick Brewer and Bob McTavish when it comes to publicized contributions to the shortboard revolution of 1968/69, but he absolutely played an integral role in the transition of board design in the era. While there are no Galanto boards in October 2024’s auction lot (view lots here) there have been in the past, including this Greg Noel Hawaiian Gun which was restored by Randy. Check out the podcast below to learn more and get ready for the California Gold Vintage Surf Auction in addition to the Boardroom International Surfboard Show!
Stay tuned for more from the Randy Rarick blog and remember to follow along on Instagram for reels of recent restorations and much more.
Vintage Wardy Surfboards for Sale
“What makes a quality surfboard? Creative skill and meticulous attention to every detail. Hours of research and experimentation spent finding the precise fusion of each component. A quality board cannot be mass produced, but must be created, step-by-step, by professionals whose ultimate aim is to achieve perfection.”
The quote above was lifted directly from a Wardy Surfboards ad in Surfer magazine (courtesy of TSJ). It summarizes the work ethic, spirit, and integrity that went into every surfboard built by Frederick Julian Wardy.
Born in 1934, the Los Angeles native developed an enthusiasm for surfing during this teenage years after watching surfers glide across the glass of Malibu. Wardy went on to study at the University of California (UCLA) in the early 50s, although his greatest education (as far as the surf world is concerned) would come from his grandparents home where he learned to build surfboards. He briefly interrupted his education to enlist in the Army, but continued at UCLA and in surfboard design upon his return. After leaving UCLA in 1957, Wardy moved to Oahu HI for a short stint where he would learn to ride waves of greater consequence and expand upon his knowledge of board building, first with balsa and eventually with foam. Two years later (1959) Wardy bounced back to California and opened a surf shop in Laguna Beach, but soon after a Wardy dealership was opened in Honolulu.
Randy Rarick recalls the following:
I had the pleasure of visiting the Wardy dealership in Honolulu in the mid-60’s. John Thurston was the manager, and the shop was located on the mauka end of Kalakaua Avenue at the start of Waikiki. At that time, there were only two manufactures locally, being Surfboards Hawaii and Inter-Island Surf Shop, which then became Surfboards Makaha. So, the mainland manufactures had dealerships, with Surf Line Hawaii carrying eight different mainland brands and Hobie and Greg Noll being represented by stand-alone dealerships. So it was a big deal when Wardy opened up a shop.
Since I was one of the repair guys at Surf Line Hawaii, I had the opportunity to repair thousands of surfboards and invariably a number of Wardy’s came into the shop for repairs. I was always impressed as to what clean glass-jobs they had and the cool stringers. Whereas a lot of the other brands relied on colors, radical fins and other gimmicks, the Wardy’s were always very understated and conservative. They let the shapes and quality of the glass work do the talking for them.
Randy with Wardy (quotes and image courtesy of frederickwardy.com)
While a number of shapers and board builders of the time hung around the scene long enough to get relegated to the sidelines by the shortboard revolution of 1968/69, Wardy retired from the business at the top of his game. He transitioned into becoming a full time artist, leaving behind an incredible legacy of surfboard craftsmanship.
Today, Frederick Wardy’s boards are highly sought after on the vintage surfboard collectors market. It just so happens that Randy Rarick recently completed a full restoration on a pair of Wardy’s, one of which we are featuring for sale below. If you find this article in time, you have the opportunity to own a piece of history.
9’2” Wardy “Beachbreak” Model (SOLD)
This 1961 9’2” Wardy “Beachbreak” Model features two 1/2” balsa stringers adjacent to high density foam center. The chocolate brown pigment rail panels are absolutely delectable, while the laminated wood fin with halo downright angelic.
The like-new board received a full restoration by Randy Rarick. This vintage Wardy was available for sale for $2500 (with FREE shipping to anywhere in the U.S.A.) but sold within two weeks of posting.
Call Randy at 808-638-7266 or email surfpro@hawaii.rr.com to inquire about being placed on a waiting list for other vintage Wardys coming down the pipeline.
9’5” Wardy “Speed Shape” Model (SOLD!)
This 1966 Wardy “Speed Shape” is a gem. The 9’5” board features a T-Band center stringer framed by stripes of a blue hue that can only be described as sapphire-meets-azure. Black pin lines further define the exquisite wave-riding craft. The flip side boasts a fiberglass blueish/green tint matching fin and tailback.
This like-new board received a full restoration by none other than Randy Rarick. Ready to ride, or displayed with pride, this vintage Wardy was available for sale for $3000 (with FREE shipping to anywhere in the U.S.A.) but SOLD within 12 hours of publishing. Stay tuned for more!
Call Randy at 808-638-7266 or email surfpro@hawaii.rr.com to inquire about availability.
The Summer of 69 : Board Project
Last month, we shared The Summer of 66 film produced in 2021 by Randy Rarick and David Stanfield. The project featured classic noserider surfboards from 1966. If you haven’t seen it, you can watch the full-length film right here. Today’s feature hits the fast forward button by three years when the shortboard revolution was in full swing, forever changing wave-riding craft. The Summer of ‘69 was actually filmed first (2019) but it makes sense to watch the two films in reverse order (of production) to honor the chronology of surfboard history.
The intent of The Summer of 69 project was to bridge the gap between the longboard era and the arrival of shortboards in the early 1970s. The Aussie-influenced boards in this “gap year” were generally in the 7’6 to 8’ range with round tails and S-decks (with a few exceptions). The test pilots for The Summer of 69 included Leah Dawson and Willie Asprey. The surfers were asked to take all nine boards out and ride three waves each in order to provide feedback on performance. They paddled out at Sunset Point during prime (for the boards) 3-5’ sets. Boards ridden included the following models:
Weber Ski Wide 7’2” (designed by Nat Young)
Weber Ski Narrow 7’3” (designed by Nat Young)
Bing Foil 6’10” (designed by Keith Paul)
Bing Foil 7’2” (designed by Keith Paul)
Gordon & Smith Magic Wide 6’10” (designed by Skip Frye)
Gordon & Smith Magic 7’0” (designed by Skip Frye)
Surfboards Hawaii Aquarius 7’4” (designed by Peter Johnson)
Morey Pope Camel 6’8“ (designed by Bob McTavish)
Design 1 7’0” (designed by Dennis Choate)
It’s a blast watching Dawson and Asprey ride the vintage boards above and compare notes against a blue-sky (and ocean) backdrop at Sunset Beach, Oahu. Enjoy the short film below and contact Randy Rarick if interested in having your own ‘69 board (or any other) restored.
Randy Rarick Hosts Dick Brewer Story Discussion at HSFF 2024
On July 11, the 2024 Honolulu Surf Film Festival (HSFF) premiered a film that fans of surf history, culture, and surfboard design have been waiting a long time for; The Shape of Things: The Dick Brewer Story. For the uninitiated, Dick Brewer is one of the most influential and important surfboard builders/shapers of all time. Brewer bridged the gap between the longboard to shortboard transition (aka “Shortboard Revolution”) while singlehandedly leading the way in modern development of big wave guns and boards for tow-in surfing. After the conclusion of the premiere, HSSF put on a post film discussion. The on-stage panel included the following group of legends:
Allen Sarlow (aka “King of Malibu”)
Bob Campi
Buzzy Kerbox
Derrick Doerner
Jim Kempton
Jericho Poppler (designer of the first Dick Brewer logo!)
Jock Sutherland
Pat Rawson
Handpicked to host and moderate the panel discussion was the most knowledgable figurehead in surfboard building history, Randy Rarick. Anecdotally, Randy foiled fins for Surfboards Hawaii, a label created by Dick Brewer with John Price in the 1960s.
The video below comes courtesy of Keyele (subscribe to his channel here) and covers the under 30-minute group conversation about The Shape of Things: The Dick Brewer Story. If you don’t get a chance to watch the film at this year’s HSFF (contingent upon when you find this article) you can at least enjoy this panel discussion while awaiting the film’s wider release. Enjoy!
Temple of Surf Podcast Featuring Randy Rarick
The Temple of Surf is one of the best surf podcasts for fans of surfing history. The show and its host Alessandro has earned this distinction for a few reasons. For one, Alessandro’s enduring enthusiasm and passion for the culture is evident every time he speaks with those on the other side of the microphone. Further, the show is the most consistent on the web, dropping a fresh episode at least once per week. This is refreshing because very few from our community are able to maintain such dependability in scheduling. It’s the whole “when the waves are firing, work comes in second” kind of thing. Lastly, the Temple of Surf has curated one of the best guests lists over the years since it was founded back in 2018. Everyone from Greg Noll and Herbie Fletcher to Jock Sutherland and Bing Copeland have graced the virtual halls of the Temple of Surf. Recently added to this distinguished group is Randy Rarick.
Randy sat down (err, logged on) with Alessandro for a solid hour to discuss his background in competing and being the first (with Fred Hemmings) to bring structure and professionalism to contest surfing. Randy also duck dives into the history of the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction (HIVSA), board building, and the restoration work that he continues to do today. Enjoy the podcast below and be sure to subscribe to the Temple of Surf Podcast and follow Randy’s new Instagram profile right here.
Summer of 66 : Vintage Noseriders + Modern Surfers
In this week’s update we are revisiting a short film produced (2021) by Randy Rarick and David Stanfield. You already know Randy (you’re on this website, after all) but if you’re unfamiliar with David Stanfield you can check out his series on the Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction (HIVSA) right here.
The Summer of 66 features all classic noserider surfboards from 1966. Why this particular year? It was when noseriding reigned supreme. Board builders and manufactures on the west coast of the United States each threw their hat into the ring and produced their very own noserider models. But instead of creating a ubiquitous quiver, what resulted was a unique interpretation of noseriders that offered a distinctive experience for those who stepped (and cross-stepped) upon their respective decks. Randy Rarick restored or repaired a handpicked selection of 10 vintage noseriders so that a new crop of surfers could take them out 55 years after the craft were introduced to the world. A 5/5 split between concave and step-deck noses were used, and included the following models:
Tom Morey MP “Snub”
CON Competition “Wing Nose”
Gordon & Smith “Stretch”
CON “Ugly”
BING David Nuuhiwa Noseriding Model
Yater “Spoon”
Harbor “Cheater”
Rick “UFO”
The Greek “Eliminator”
Ramsey Jay “Elevator"
The boards were ridden at one of Randy’s secret stomping grounds on the North Shore of Oahu. In addition to breathtaking cinematography and noseriding skill exhibited by the production’s “test pilots”, Rarick and Stanfield did a succinct but insightful deep dive into the history of each board and its builder. The result is the most comprehensive accounting of a distinguishing era of surf history and culture, made modern for today’s generation and those to follow. Enjoy the film in its entirety below.
Vintage Weber Performer for Sale
Dewey Weber was an iconic surfboard builder from Hermosa Beach, California. He opened the first Weber Surfboards in Venice in 1960. Within 5 years he established retail stores in California and Hawaii, while distributing boards and accessories/gear to other retailers throughout the USA and world. He was also the first surfboard manufacturer to designate a model name to particular surfboard design; the Weber “Performer”. The “Performer” was the most popular board of the mid-1960’s, during the peak of the long board era. To date, it is one of the most sought after acquisitions on the vintage surfboard collectors market.
You now have the opportunity to add one to your own distinguished quiver.
Randy Rarck, the world’s preeminent vintage surfboard restoration expert and a former Weber team rider, has recently completed a full “glass-off” restoration of a Weber Performer. The like-new board that you see below is a second generation “Performer”. The dimensions are 9’8” X 23 1/2” X 3” and features a “super scoop”. The board has a black high density “T-Band” center stringer and tail block, complete with a full paisley inlay on the deck and a contrasting paisley nose riding stripe, with black pins on the front quarter of the board. It has been glassed with double 10 oz. Volan fiberglass cloth and features a removable polypropylene Weber “Hatchett” fin, with “Wonder Bolt”.
Ready to ride, or displayed with pride, this board available for at the California Gold Surf Auction (here), with FREE shipping to anywhere in the U.S.A. Click the images below for an expanded view.
Call Randy at 808-638-7266 or email surfpro@hawaii.rr.com to inquire about availability of other Weber boards and more.
2024 NSW Australia Tour
This past spring of 2024, Randy Rarick ventured over from Oahu to Byron Bay, Australia, to attend/speak at an “Archive Film Night” event featuring footage of surfing in Hawaii during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s . Randy was slated to do a Q&A with Bob McTavish and Murray Paterson. While circumstances prevented Randy from attending the screening at McTavish Surfboards, the trip was certainly not for naught. Randy was able to catch up with his ol’ gang of legends. In addition to McTavish and Paterson, he spent some valuable time with Dick Hoole, Jack McCoy, Wayne Lynch, Nat Young, and the incomparably eccentric George Greenough. To reiterate - legends - all of them.
Any fan of surf history would love to have been a fly on the wall in the shaping studios and homes of everyone involved in Randy’ Rarick’s passage through New South Wales, Australia. While we can’t make that happen, we can enjoy a few select photos from his memory-making tour of Oz.
This past spring of 2024, Randy Rarick ventured over from Oahu to Byron Bay, Australia, to attend/speak at an “Archive Film Night” event featuring footage of surfing in Hawaii during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s . Randy was slated to do a Q&A with Bob McTavish and Murray Paterson. While circumstances prevented Randy from attending the screening at McTavish Surfboards, the trip was certainly not for naught. Randy was able to catch up with his ol’ gang of legends. In addition to McTavish and Paterson, he spent some valuable time with Dick Hoole, Jack McCoy, Wayne Lynch, Nat Young, and the incomparably eccentric George Greenough. To reiterate - legends - all of them.
Any fan of surf history would love to have been a fly on the wall in the shaping studios and homes of everyone involved in Randy’ Rarick’s passage through New South Wales, Australia. While we can’t make that happen, we can enjoy a few select photos from his memory-making tour of Oz.
ALOHA
Aloha (welcome to the blog)
Aloha
Aloha, and welcome to the blog for RandyRarick.com. Be sure to bookmark this section for monthly updates which will include insight into what’s going on in the world of vintage surfboards, including info on upcoming auctions and related events, “barnyard finds”, and more.
We will also fill you in on what Randy has been up to, including restorations (with before-and-after photos), recent travels, interviews and podcast appearances. On that latter note (podcast appearances) be sure to listen to Randy’s recent interview with Scott Bass from The Boardroom Show and the California Gold Vintage Surf Auction. Click the link below to listen in!
