Bob “Ole” Olson is still handshaping 5-10 longboards per week at the age of 83. He loves what he does and he’s seen the industry emerge and evolve into what it is today. Check out the profile piece we did on this very cool legend.
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Nice piece on Bob, I really enjoyed it. Oldest surviving production shaper. I’m currently restoring one of his from 1962-63, 1-1/2 balsa stringer, wood D fin, colored gloss resin panels. When he was here on the mainland, he used to be a shop teacher and the fin I have shows it (all different kinds of wood scraps). The original glassing was a single layer of 20 oz. volan. Bruce Jones has his old shop in Seal Beach today.
The Bruce Jones shop on PCH used to be Ole’s? That’s rad. Post some pics of the resto if you can. cool collage kayu, very nicely done.
Ole is 93 and would still be shaping today if the Maui fires didn’t destroy his home and Shop/shaping room. He is safe and smiling as usual.
Here is a video from a few years ago.
