Bumped into my old friend John, at Bud Browne’s paddle out service at Pipeline. And he has graciously agreed to shape me a Penetrator! Woo Hoo!
Pictures will be forthcoming over the next few days…
Bill, I ran into John down at a Central Baja point break about 8 winters ago, never met him before that. But it was all-time surf. Driving a yellow VW van, super long beard and hair. Then about four years later at an Irivne Coast break that breaks probably once every 10yrs or so on a big tropical south swell. He’s a classic. First surfer ever to be crowned world champion right? Is it a coincidence that he’d be at two uncrowded surf spots when they are about as good as they can get?
Sounds kinky!
Looking forward to the porn…I mean pics.
The Penetrator (9’6") I had back when they were first being made is one of my all time favorite boards. More fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Hi Bill,
So is John going to shape it at your place? And what shape is he doing, a Classic, Ultra Flight or Rocket?
Tell him I said to make sure he does a good job… Ha, Ha… only joking. I miss that guy, haven’t seen him for awhile.
D.R.
" we used to do acid up in the hills above sunset, back when it was legal" that will always stick in my mind about john peck
Cool story, John seems to inspire many. No such thing as a coincidence in John’s world… he’s a mystical surfing guru of no small proportions. It all makes perfect sense. [;)]
Quote:
Bill, I ran into John down at a Central Baja point break about 8 winters ago, never met him before that. But it was all-time surf. Driving a yellow VW van, super long beard and hair. Then about four years later at an Irivne Coast break that breaks probably once every 10yrs or so on a big tropical south swell. He's a classic. First surfer ever to be crowned world champion right? Is it a coincidence that he'd be at two uncrowded surf spots when they are about as good as they can get?
DR shapes the BEST rendition of that particular model of surfboard. Why? Because he had more practice at it than anyone else. Lowel/Maui
Template made and autographed… get busy now John! Let those creative juices flow!
Never rode one myself… but will give a report later this winter. I will tell John of your good report!
Quote:
The Penetrator (9’6") I had back when they were first being made is one of my all time favorite boards. More fun than a barrel of monkeys!
Quote:
Hi Bill,
So is John going to shape it at your place? And what shape is he doing, a Classic, Ultra Flight or Rocket?
Aloha Dennis
Yes John is shaping in my personal room here in downtown Haleiwa. I am leaving the design pretty much up to him. I think mine will be a bit more of a Rocket model. I told him I wanted it to handle 8’ Jockos!
Tell him I said to make sure he does a good job… Ha, Ha… only joking. I miss that guy, haven’t seen him for awhile.
D.R.
Same here, has been fun hanging out a bit. I will pass on your encouragements! Ha! And let him know your thinking of him.
The one I had was one of the first or second year on the market so likely a Classic? Anyway, ridden mostly at Trestles and old, pre-apocalypse Doheney. Small to medium California reef break waves. The further up on the tip you stood, the more stable and faster it went and had incredible edge control and turn-ability from up there.
Hi Bill,
If you would please:- Remember me to John…We met in Byron Bay at my Yoga class and he did an incredible job of bone-cracking my spine.
I never had another one like that. I would be stoked if he remembered the tall guy named Josh.
I was never able to take up his offer of a place to crash in California, but ya just never know. That would be an introduction at Swami’s.
Josh
The Penetrator was one of my all time favorite Noseriders- You never needed to get back from the nose to push through sections. Used to watch Steve Thornton at Malibu outshine anyone in the water, on one he got from Kennedy some where along the way- Glen always wondered about getting it back, but somehow Steve just seemed to own it! (r.i.p. Steve-) Anyhow… Dennis- Can you tell me anything about a Balsawood Morey Pope Penetrator made in the Late 60’s?- I used to own a surfshop in Goleta, in the mid 90s.A Collector named Alan would come by from time to time and shoot the breeze, telling me about his latest board finds.- One day he came in excited as a kid at Christmas, and showed me a super Clean Balsa, Morey Pope Pentrator with floral (or Paisly? cant remember) Slip Check. He said he figured , or was told, it was a “one of” sort of board. It looked every bit right to me as far as origin, as I have had the pleasure to ride and handle a few. Funny thing was that another well known Long Board collector in SB had passed on it because the seller wanted, what I think was $1000.00 at the time- Seemed to me like a Balsa Penetrator from the proper time frame would be priceless! Would love to hear if you know anything as to its origin!-
Steve
Hi Steve,
Sorry I’ve never done or seen a balsa Penetrator, didn’t know there were any. I’ll try and remember to ask Karl or Tom the next time I see them… when ever that will be.
One of these days I may do one.
D.R.
BB you look taller in this photo than I remember or is John standing in a hole?
I am looking forward to discovering this also. Your experience is exactly in line with what John keeps telling me.
Quote:
The one I had was one of the first or second year on the market so likely a Classic? Anyway, ridden mostly at Trestles and old, pre-apocalypse Doheney. Small to medium California reef break waves. The further up on the tip you stood, the more stable and faster it went and had incredible edge control and turn-ability from up there.
I mentioned you to John and he remembered… he sends a big aloha.
Quote:
Hi Bill,If you would please:- Remember me to John…We met in Byron Bay at my Yoga class and he did an incredible job of bone-cracking my spine.
I never had another one like that. I would be stoked if he remembered the tall guy named Josh.
I was never able to take up his offer of a place to crash in California, but ya just never know. That would be an introduction at Swami’s.
Josh
Quote:
BB you look taller in this photo than I remember or is John standing in a hole?
HA, HA, HA! Very Funny, Steve!
I may be short…ish but I stand tall in the company of giants!
When people asked who was in my shaping room… I told them Jesus.
Left them speechless every time!
