This is the last board Reynolds “Renny” Yater shaped at the Velzy surf shop before moving to Santa Barbara In 1959. At this time, surfboard materials were in transition—foam blanks were gaining popularity despite their poor quality, while balsa and redwood remained superior despite being heavier, costlier, and harder to shape.
Recognizing this shift, Renny took advantage of Velzy’s access to premium wood blanks and shaped this balsa/redwood 9’6” x 21.5” x 3.25” Yater surfboard for himself before leaving. The board weighs in at 34 pounds. He surfed it once in San Clemente—then never again. Before his move to Santa Barbara, Renny also shaped the Yater board known as The Grey Lady, tinting it grey to mask imperfections in an early Walker foam blank.
The surfboard is now on display at the Santa Barbara Surfing Museum inside Surf 'n Wear's Beach House at 10 State St. in Santa Barbara. Come on down and enjoy the best of California surf history!
Browse our collection of Yater and Santa Barbara Surf Shop accessories and apparel here.
