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Tom Blake Paddleboard Surfboard

Name: Tom Blake Paddleboard Surfboard
Brand: Tom Blake

$5,500List Price

About the Item

Description: Rare 9'4" paddleboard by Tom Blake, the inventor of the hollow paddleboard. Manufactured by Blake's Catalina Equipment Company. The plaque proudly proclaims "Los Angeles Built". It is important to remember how rare this board is in any condition. Tom Blake boards are normally in the 11'-14' range, at 9'4" this one makes for easier displaying. This board shows well as is or could be fully restored.-- Tom Blake, born in Wisconsin, as a teenager living in Chicago met Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku and somehow took the Duke's "You should visit Hawaii" as a personal invitation. He headed west and worked as a lifeguard in Santa Monica in the 1920s. He was a natural waterman and took up surfing and paddleboard racing. At this time boards weighed 150-200 lbs. Seeing their limitations Blake set about inventing a hollow board. By the mid 20s he came up with the idea of a skeleton wood frame and marine ply deck and bottom which forever changed the weight and maneuverability of surfboards. His new craft won many races and stayed in use until the 1950s. Blake eventually went to Hawaii and became the only person the Bishop Museum would allow to restore their ancient surfboards. Duke Kahanamoku is commonly regarded as the father of modern day surfing, Tom Blake holds a spot aside him because it is his craftsmanship that really catapulted surfing into the sport it is today.

Creator:
Tom Blake (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 112 in (284.48 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 5 in (12.7 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Wood
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1930's
Condition:
This board is in original condition with a wonderful patina on the deck and bottom. There is discoloration on tail. The varnish is inconsistent with some flaking. There is some damage though small on rail as shown in photo. It is important to remember how rare this board is in any condition.
Seller Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: U120206921938

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