REYNOLDS YATER / History of a Surfing Legend

REYNOLDS YATER

History of a Surfing Legend

Reynolds “Renny” Yater was one of the first commercial surfboard builders of the 1950s, a generation that put surfing on the map. As the sport of surfing has continued to grow and flourish throughout the years, so too has Yater’s reputation as a leading contributor to the surfing industry. Perhaps even more remarkable than Yater’s early accomplishments has been his ability to change and grow with the industry, staying on top of current trends and new materials and continuing to produce innovative new boards. 
SHOP ALL YATER

In the fall of 1959, Renny opened Yater Surfboards on Anacapa Street. Here he established the famous Santa Barbara Surf Shop logo, an insignia synonymous with Yater surfboards. In 1961, he moved his shop to Summerland where it remained until 1964, when zoning regulations made it impossible to stay. In 1965, Yater moved his shop to Gutierrez Street while at the same time opening up a retail surf shop at 401 State Street which would be in business until 1971. In 1967, Yater moved his shaping and glassing facilities to Gray Avenue.

It was during the 1960s, that Yater’s two most popular surfboard models were conceived. From 1965-66, he shaped the Yater Spoon, one of the most innovative surfboard designs of the time. He produced this model until longboard-style surfing went through an evolution in 1968. From 1969-72, he produced the Pocket Rocket, a surfboard designed with Hawaiian surfing in mind, riding the crest of the short board era. In the 1960s, Yater’s customers included surfing legends the likes of Joey Cabell, Gordon Clark, Mickey Dora, Philipi Pomar, Kemp Auberg, Bob Cooper, Bruce Brown and John Severson.


In 1991, Yater’s retail showroom was established at the Beach House at 10 State Street in Santa Barbara. The Beach House has been the exclusive dealer of Yater surfboards in Santa Barbara to the present day. His legacy continues with his son Lauran, who has been shaping since the early 1980s and plans to continue to uphold the reputation and standard of Yater surfboards for future generations to enjoy.

Renny has, more recently, evolved his craft to include collaborations with artists to create one-of-a-kind decorative pieces. He has returned to his roots by hand-crafting balsa wood boards and combined them with modern techniques for an especially polished final product. Check out our vintage boards section for pictures and information on some of Renny’s latest works of art.