Carrying on the Martin family legacy that my father established over 60 years brings me comfort and immense joy. Loving what I do and doing what I love, I have come full circle. I will be eternally grateful to my father for teaching me the love of the trade, the training and the skills it requires.
From a young age, I spent quite a bit of time in and around my father's modeling room. My first job was as a "cleaner" at the old Hobie factory in Capistrano Beach. I eventually went from sweeping up dust to cutting and foiling fins. Foiling fins was as simple as shaping surfboards on a small scale. In the late 80's I started shaping full time at Just Add Water Surfboards in Laguna Canyon. Shortly after I started working there, I had the opportunity to shape several hundred identical boards for display in JC Penny stores. I was to be paid half of what I would earn for shaping other boards at that time. I remember my father telling me that this was a great opportunity for me to hone my production skills. I chose to accept the offer. The boards had to be handmade. There were no computer shaping programs or CNC shaping machines back then. I look back today and think what a privilege it was to have had that opportunity. The systems and methods developed back then are second nature, muscle memory today. I have a special love for the hand shaped surfboard and have chosen to continue in this traditional craft. For me, it is a joy to jump into my shaping room and create functional works of art every day. I can't wait to build one for you! If I may quote my father, "I aim to make people happy in the water". I look forward to hearing from you.
Continuing the Martin family legacy that my father established over 60 years brings me great comfort and joy. Loving what I do and doing what I love, I have come […]
