R.I.P. Terry Martin

"We have lost a legend..." in, Wooden Surfboards

Daniel Costa - "The Southern California shaping world has lost one of its forefathers today with the death of beloved Dana Point shaper Terry Martin. Martin shaped surfboards for more than 60 years, most of them with Hobie Surfboards, before losing his battle with melanoma at the age of 74. He will be missed." in, The Retro Movement

Tribute to Terry Martin by Tyler Manson and Tyler Warren


a brief history: TERRY MARTIN from Tyler Manson on Vimeo.
Terry Martin's first encounters with surfing, shaping and crashing motorcycles.

"Terry Martin is probably the best shaper to ever live. Considering he has hand shaped over 80,000 boards in his lifetime for people such as Gerry Lopez, Phil Edwards, Shawn Stussy, Hobie, Dale Velzy, Stewart and many more. Terry saw the evolution of the surfboard first hand through the shaping bay from wood to light foam. He could make anything and it would work, whether it was a modern shortboard or noserider. He understood water flow and what a surfboard needs to do - to make a surfer have fun. He was the Santa Claus of shaping, joyfully hand making all his toys for his children. Terry, you will be missed by many."


Tyler Warren May 15th, 2012