Author Archives: Sacred Craft
2008 Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoree Bill Caster
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. [...]
2009 Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoree John Bradbury
John Bradbury -
1944 – 1999
Tall, leathery, soft-spoken surfboard builder from Santa Barbara point wave territory. A surfers surfer. Hard core through and through, it was not uncommon for Bradbury to spend an entire night shaping, glassing and sanding a board so that it would be ready for him to ride during the next days’ swell. Began shaping boards in 1965; mentored by Renny Yater. [...]
2009 Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoree Dick Brewer
Richard ‘Dick’ Brewer – RB
1936 –
Brilliant shaper from Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii widely credited with ushering in the shortboard revolution in the spring of 1967. Shaped his first surfboard in 1959. Crafted incredible big wave Makaha Point & Waimea Bay guns for many Hawaiian surfers including Buzzy Trent, Jeff Hakman and Eddie Aikua. Brewers boards continued to be a major force as the 60s rolled into the 70s with Gerry Lopez, Reno Abellira, Jock Sutherland and Sam Hawk all riding Brewer surfboards. His ability to refine and polish designs earned him accolades and his shapes influenced many ’70s era shapers including Australian shapers Mark Richards and Terry Fitzgerald. [...]
2010 Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoree Renny Yater
Renny Yater -
1932 -
He is, perhaps, the coolest surfer in the world. And we mean that by the strictest definitions of the term. “Cool: Un-self conscious aplomb in overall behavior with discernible bodily movements, postures and voice modulations that take on strategic social value.” That’s Santa Barbara’s Reynolds Yater right down to the t-band. Has any surfing personality maintained an unvarying reputation for style and excellence quite like Yater? Throughout a half dozen decades this quiet, master surfer/shaper/designer/innovator/waterman has fostered and remained true to an aesthetic that in this ever-changing sport/lifestyle has been one of the only things we can count on. [...]
2007 Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoree Mike Diffenderfer
Mike Diffenderfer – 1937 – 2002 Once described as the Michelangelo of shapers; best known for his exquisitely crafted big wave guns; went to high school in La Jolla Ca. and dated classmate Raquel Welch. Mentored by shaping legend Pat … [...]