Gordon & Smith: The Story of a Californian Surfing Legend
Some brands stand the test of time without losing their edge. Gordon & Smith is one of them. Founded in 1959 in San Diego, it is now among the oldest surfboard manufacturers still operating in the United States.
A Friendship, a Brand
It all started in the mid-50s, on the beaches of San Diego. Larry Gordon and Floyd Smith shared their passion for surfing, and from this camaraderie, an idea emerged: to create their own board brand together. That's when Gordon & Smith was born in 1959.
At the time, the vast majority of boards were shaped from balsa wood, making them heavy, unwieldy, and fragile. G&S was among the pioneers who adopted polyurethane foam and resin, a revolution that radically transformed surfing and allowed for the creation of lighter, higher-performance, and more accessible boards. The brand quickly established itself as a benchmark on the Californian coast, and then worldwide.
A Family Business, Handed Down Through Generations
What makes Gordon & Smith even more unique is its human story. Today, the second generation of the family is at the helm: Eric and Debbie Gordon, brother and sister, have taken over from their father Larry to perpetuate the brand's legacy. Same address, same philosophy, same high standards.
The San Diego factory hasn't changed. Boards are still shaped by hand, resins are laminated, and skateboards are made in the neighboring warehouse. An old-fashioned manufacturing process, in the noblest sense of the term.
Shapers, Not Machines
This is perhaps where Gordon & Smith most clearly distinguishes itself from other productions. All boards are 100% hand-shaped by three experienced shapers: Steve Seebold, Chris Darby, and Hank Warner. Each board is unique, crafted with expertise accumulated over six decades of working with foam.
Gordon & Smith Boards at Woodstockshop
At Woodstockshop, all Gordon & Smith boards you find on the site are imported directly from California, hand-shaped in San Diego and shipped to Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the South-West of France.
The range covers a wide spectrum of fish and mid-length boards, designed for stylish and efficient surfing. In the Californian spirit that has built the brand's reputation since 1959.
Find our selection of Gordon & Smith boards on woodstockshop.com or come discover them directly in our showroom in Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
