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.

Brewer, an absolute icon of the industry, continues to mow out exquisite longboards, shortboards, tow-in boards, and gorgeous wooden replicas of his classic designs. In 2004 Bruce Irons won the Quiksilver Big Wave Contest in Memory of Eddie Aikau on a Dick Brewer big wave gun.

Shapers honoring Dick Brewer included Reno Abellira, Pat Rawson, Gary Linden, Dennis Murphy, and Ricky Carroll.

In 2009 at the Del Mar Sacred Craft Expo, Pat Rawson won the Tribute to the Masters Shape-off honoring Dick Brewer presented by US Blanks.*

*Courtesy of Matt Warshaw’s Encyclopedia of Surfing