I have a old Diff that is in quite bad shape but it has some odd markings on it that I hope may make it special
Its 6ft 6 and 19-20 inches accross and 2 and 1/2 at its thickest
It says “Diff for Brian” on the deck above the fin area
and on the bottom near the centre fin it says
“USA Golden Gate Challen” and also
“Top Secret (Dr Drops Bri” The rest of both these markings are covered up by the centre tail fin which has been installed or repaired perhaps?
I bought the board off a mate in 1990 or 1991. He had bought it off a friend as well. It was my first board.
I’m wondering if its only value is my sentimantal value or is it really The Top secret Golden Gate Challenger DR Drips from yesteryear! or even if that means something to someone? Anyway I’ll go inside and upload some pics…
A shaper/friend I know talks highly of “Dif” and how he taught him a bit
about shaping. I’m just a “backyarder”, but I am self-teaching myself how to shape…I got a few tips here and there, and am trying to figure it all out. Yeah, you should go to the dollar store and grab three sheets of paper and trace the outline… make a full template, ok. Cut it out w scissors. Draw it up on your blank to get the rocker that best suits what you want… and start shaping! I really look forward to seeing a new copy of that board! If you need help -post! There’s a LOT of great shapers- whether backyarder or pro here who would probably help out. That’s a sweet board! It sounds like somebody was competing in surf contests? Pretty cool.
it isn’t a Channin/Diffenderfer, Simply a Diffenderfer He and Tont Channin at some pointtt in the 1970s went their diffrent ways. I don’t see any Channin glassing Logos so most likly not a Chinnin glass job. The Board is beat and from the writing on the stringer I would say shaped for a friend. Is there a signature on the stringer or blank?
Others might be able t give you more info My guess would be it is a mid 1980s shape maybe early 1990s. I would be nice to takea good hard look at that board. looks likea good shape. a skilled craftsmen could reproduce that board.
My big claim to semi fame is i was kicked out of Channin’s shop with these parting words" I hating F-ing Air-brushers get the hell out of my shop! " Such a sweet guy that Tony. On The other hand the couple of times i talked with Diff he seemed like a good guy may he rest in peace.
I was given the board by a friend . Must of been around 1990 and it was old and beaten up then with the different colour fins and multitude of repair jobs in the fin area. I left it outside down the side of the shed for a quite a few years as well so it’s had a hard life.
If you closely look at the deck photo, there’s the Channin part of the Channin/Diffendefer logo. That board was made at the Channin factory in the mid '80s during one of the rare times that Tony and Diff where tolerating each other enough to allow both names to be used on a board.
It has a Channin logo on the top and a Diif logo on the bottom. There is the remains of a surf shop sticker above the Diff logo. I can’s see anything else near the Diff logo.
from yesteryear! or even if that means something to someone? Anyway I’ll go inside and upload some pics…
