Bill Caster -
1943 – 1987

Bill Caster was an innovative San Diego shaper known for his progressive channel bottom rounded pins and humble demeanor. Caster started shaping in 1958 under the Select Surfboards label for his Uncle LLoyd Baker. Caster also shaped under distinguished labels such as Olympic, Challenger and Hobie.

He started his own CASTER surfboards label in 1965.  Bill Caster was drafted into service in the Vietnam War in 1965 just as his CASTER label was taking flight. He was released from service in 1967 and came home to find the shortboard revolution brewing up new ideas about surfboard design. It was an exciting time to be a surfboard builder. Caster was highly demanding of himself and adapted quickly to the shorter boards, both in the water and in the shaping bay.  A quiet, confident and extremely skilled craftsman, Caster let his boards do the talking.

At the peak of his commercial success in 1981 CASTER surfboards could be found up and down the coast of California and all along the Eastern seaboard. Surfers that rode Bill’s boards were extremely loyal, most notable among them was La Jolla professional Chris O’Rourke. But Caster was a humble man who deferred compliments to others.

Sadly Bill Caster died at the age of 44 from colon cancer. He left behind a legacy of quality hand crafted performance surfboards and a legion of friends. However, Bill’s greatest legacy is the family he left behind: daughters Heidi and Heather, and sons David and Daniel. Shapers honoring Bill Caster in 2008 included Matt Calvani, Chris Christensen, Ned McMahon, Timmy Patterson, Ricky Carroll, and Ward Coffey. Florida shaper Ricky Carroll was a repeat winner of the Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoring Bill Caster.*

* Courtesy of Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing