Synopses & Reviews
Even in the beginning, the surfboard was a religious icon. The ancient Hawaiians rode their koa boards in homage to the sea’s gods. And today, surfing is a philosophy and a way of life rolled into one.
Here is the first ever history of the surfboard! From the Hawaiians’ monstrous koa planks to the latest and greatest plastic fantastic masterpieces, the surfboard’s tale is told in glorious photography and stoked text.
The history of the surfboard stretches back centuries—perhaps even millennia. It’s a rollicking story both cultural and technological, like a cross between a thriller, a science fiction fantasy, and a Frankie Avalon–Annette Funicello movie, all set to a rocking surf-guitar soundtrack.
It’s also a long, twisting tale of innovation—innovation that has in turn shaped surfing into the stunning sport it is today.
Beautifully illustrated with studio photographs and close-ups of surfboards, as well as historical images and the latest surf photography, this book documents the surfboard’s evolution as a perfect convergence of form and function.
Author Ben Marcus writes for Surfer, The Surfer’s Journal, and other magazines. Photographer Jeff Divine is one of the world’s foremost surfing shooters and photo editor at The Surfer’s Journal. And Juliana Morais photographed Fernando Aguerre’s amazing collection of rare, historic, unusual, and famous surfboards to create The Surfboard: Art, Style, Stoke!
Review
Thumbing through “The Surfboard” — with its many surfboard photos — is like walking through a surf museum. And if it doesn’t make you want to go out and buy a new board, at the very least it’ll motivate you to go to the nearest shop and touch some. -- www.sanluisobispo.com, Sidetracked blog
Review
Surfer’s Journal, September 2007
“The Surfboard serves as a general catalog and survey of surf craft form the 20th century onwards.”
Transworld Surf, September 2007
“It’s a cool look back at the most important piece of equipment in our sport.”
Beach, November 2007
“The Surfboard deserves a place in every surfer’s library.”
Synopsis
The history of the surfboard is one of innovation---innovation that has in turn shaped the sport of surfing. The Art of the Surfboard follows this history, from the first "wave-riding" redwood planks crafted by ancient Hawai'ians to the vacuum-sealed, lightweight, "plastic fantastic" technological marvels of today. Beautifully illustrated with historical prints and engravings, as well as the latest surf photography and detailed closeups, this book documents the surfboard’s evolution as a perfect convergence of form and function.
Synopsis
Here at last is the first ever history of the surfboard! From the ancient Hawaiians’ monstrous koa planks to the latest and greatest plastic fantastic masterpieces, the surfboard’s tale is told in glorious photography and stoked text.
Author Ben Marcus writes for Surfer, The Surfer’s Journal, and other magazines. Photographer Jeff Divine is one of the world’s foremost surfing shooters and photo editor at The Surfer’s Journal. And Juliana Morais photographed Fernando Aguerre’s amazing collection of rare, historic, unusual, and famous surfboards to create The Surfboard: Art, Style, Stoke!
Synopsis
Even in the beginning, the surfboard was a religious icon. The ancient Hawaiians rode their koa boards in homage to the sea’s gods. And today, surfing is a philosophy and a way of life rolled into one.
Here is the first ever history of the surfboard! From the Hawaiians’ monstrous koa planks to the latest and greatest plastic fantastic masterpieces, the surfboard’s tale is told in glorious photography and stoked text.
The history of the surfboard stretches back centuries—perhaps even millennia. It’s a rollicking story both cultural and technological, like a cross between a thriller, a science fiction fantasy, and a Frankie Avalon–Annette Funicello movie, all set to a rocking surf-guitar soundtrack.
It’s also a long, twisting tale of innovation—innovation that has in turn shaped surfing into the stunning sport it is today.
Beautifully illustrated with studio photographs and close-ups of surfboards, as well as historical images and the latest surf photography, this book documents the surfboard’s evolution as a perfect convergence of form and function.
Author Ben Marcus writes for Surfer, The Surfer’s Journal, and other magazines. Photographer Jeff Divine is one of the world’s foremost surfing shooters and photo editor at The Surfer’s Journal. And Juliana Morais photographed Fernando Aguerre’s amazing collection of rare, historic, unusual, and famous surfboards to create The Surfboard: Art, Style, Stoke!
Synopsis
A richly illustrated history of the surfboard from the first hand-crafted “wave-riding” redwood planks to the "plastic fantastic" technological marvels of today
Synopsis
'The history of the surfboard is one of innovation---innovation that has in turn shaped the sport of surfing. The Surfboard follows this history, from the first "wave-riding" redwood planks crafted by ancient Hawaiians to the vacuum-sealed, lightweight, "plastic fantastic" technological marvels of today.Beautifully illustrated with historical prints and engravings, as well as the latest surf photography and detailed closeups, this book documents the surfboards evolution as a perfect convergence of form and function.'
About the Author
'Dividing her time between her native Brazil and the United States, Juliana Morais is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer who contributes to ESPN Brazil and several surf and sports magazines worldwide. She is also a surfer.Jeff Divine is one of the world\'s most famed surfing photographers, bar none. He is the photo editor at The Surfer\'s Journal.'
Table of Contents
Contents
Chapter 1 Icons
Surfboards in Hawaiian Culture
1600 b.c. to 1920 a.d.
Chapter 2 The Thoroughly Modern Olo and Alaia
Kookboxes, Redwood Swastikas, and Balsa Flyers
The Roaring Twenties and the Soaring Thirties
Chapter 3 Sliding Ass
The Skeg and the Hot Curl
1934 through World War II
Chapter 4 Plastic Fantastic
Wondrous Shapes and Wonder Materials
Post–World War II Experiments
Chapter 5 Foam
Sandwich Boards, Spoons, and the Foam Future
From the Fall of Hitler to the Rise of Gidget
Chapter 6 Toes on the Nose, Feet on the Tail
Supplying the Surfing Sensation
1960–1967
Chapter 7 You Say You Want a Revolution
From Sam to the Thruster
1966–1981
Chapter 8 The Brave New World
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same
1981 and Still Going Strong
Index
About the Contributors