In the Spirit of Tom Blake
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In a recent feature, SURFER Magazine made a striking comparison between FUNNER Surf Craft and the legendary Tom Blake:
"If Tom Blake was still alive, this style of hollow surfboard construction modified with some new tech would probably be a rabbit hole he’d venture down." – SURFER Magazine
That statement carries serious weight. Blake wasn’t just a shaper—he was a pioneer who changed surfing forever.
Redefining Surfboard Design
In 1926, Blake introduced the first hollow wooden surfboard, a lighter, faster design that changed how surfers approached waves. By 1935, he added the fin, unlocking a new level of control that remains fundamental in board design today. His innovations extended beyond the construction of surfboards, even developing waterproof camera housings that revolutionized surf photography and expanded the sport to a wider audience.
Blake approached surf craft with an engineer’s precision and a waterman’s intuition. He looked beyond convention, refining materials and techniques to enhance speed, maneuverability, and efficiency. His work shaped modern surfboard design and set the stage for future progress.
Building on Blake's Legacy
At FUNNER Surf Craft, that same drive to refine and innovate fuels our work. Our 3D printed Air Cores carry the hollow board concept into the modern era, blending traditional materials with new possibilities. It’s easy to picture Blake in the shop—tinkering with new designs, tossing around ideas, and paddling out to see how it all comes together in the water.
Blake’s work set a precedent for pushing the boundaries of surfboard design. He didn’t settle for what existed; he built what surfing needed next.
To be compared to him by SURFER Magazine is an honor and a challenge—one that motivates us to keep exploring, refining, and building boards that move surfing forward.