#velzy

Critter 2 (pig): …In 1953 Dale “The Hawk” Velzy, the square-bodied outlaw patrolling Manhattan Beach Pier and Redondo Breakwater, made a pig: narrow in the fore, portly in the rear. In doing so, he revolutionized longboard surfing. Velzy’s departure from traditional outlines facilitated the forthcoming “hot generation.” Soft edges decreased pearls and rail bites; a wide point in the lower third produced both effortless drop-knee cutbacks and jittery direction changes. Further sensitivity and maneuverability derived from the skeg being placed directly underneath the tail block, allowing a surfer to trim, turn, gouge, bank, and step ahead… #pig #velzy #evaluation #coolwave https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv-DQ8YnI4f/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e8nd1m5f43de

© Tom Sutherland ~ North Shore 1965

The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association created the Dale Velzy Classic in 1989 as a festival and context in tribute to legendary surfer and shaper Sale Velzy. The Doheny Longboard Surfing Association is an “organization dedicated to board surfing in a clean and natural environment”, and sponsors the Velzy and other events and contest in Southern California. Notable on this piece is the statue of King Kamehameha, perhaps paying tribute to the “sport of kings” and its roots in Hawaii.

Dale Velzy was not only the first commercial surfboard shaper, he was one of the most significant players in the development of the surfboard. With revolutionary models like the Chip, the Pig and the Bump, Velzy continued to revolutionize the sport through his design. A master craftsman, in his later life, Velzy turned to making extremely high quality wood collectors pieces highlighting his most famous designs. Here is a handcrafter art fin, shaped and designed by Velzy, which highlights his fin craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Kolohe feat. Velzy

North Shore 1965 ~ notice the Hobie decal in the rear window!