The evolution of the surfboard, from traditional Hawaiian folk designs to masterpieces of mathematical engineering to mass-produced fiberglass.
Richard Kenvin is Director of the Hydrodynamica Project. He writes for The Surfer's Journal and is the guest curator of the Surf Craft exhibition.
Anyone interested in design or surfing or both cannot fail to be
enchanted by this beautiful book.... High-quality photographs of
the exhibited boards, both traditional and modern, are accompanied
by Kenvin's thoughtful commentary on the history of surf board
design.—Fiona Capp, Sydney Morning Herald
In his gorgeous and learned new book, Surf Craft: Design and the
Culture of Board Riding Richard Kenvin makes a strong case that
surfboards should be considered works of art.—John McMurtrie, San
Francisco Chronicle
Richard Kenvin traces the history of surfing from an exclusive
pursuit of Hawaiian royals—the 1% scored the most bouyant boards—to
the post-Gidget era of big-money competition. Where long or short,
wood or fiberglass—all gorgeously photographed here—surfboards have
retained their basic uplifting function. Readers may be surprised
at how many funky variations board designers have produced over the
years—and how beautiful they can be.—The Wall Street Journal
A beautiful coffee table book stuffed with stunning images of the
boards on display from the exhibition. It's worth buying simply for
the photos alone, but Surf Craft also includes a
thoughtfully-written 40-page introduction by Kenvin that traces the
evolution of surfboard design, and also explains how meticulous
handcraftmanship can inform modern high volume commercially-made
surf craft; it's a well-reasoned take on how ramping up surfboard
production in the '60s didn't necessarily kill the beauty and art
of surfboards.—Surfer Magazine
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
