THE TOP OF THE SURF TROPHY CHAIN
5-30-07
By Corky Carroll
This is the story of Dave Reynolds. Dave makes the hottest surf trophies and also very cool collectable miniature surfboards, clocks and other surf stuff. His company is named Kahuna's Klassics. I asked Dave to give me a little history on himself and the company and here it is in his own words.
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“Growing up in Orange County in the 60's I would see surfers, surfboards and just knew I was going to be one too. I can remember sneaking out my Dad's camping air mattress, tying it to the handlebars on my Stingray and heading out to Huntington Pier to catch a few. After the buzz wore off from blowing that thing up I would paddle out, double it up and knee ride the shore break. What a thrill! I always envied the guys with those blue and yellow rafts they rented. After the session I would have to get every single grain of sand off the air mattress or I was busted! In the 70's I talked my Dad into giving me $17 to buy a Harbour surfboard at a garage sale. Now I'm a surfer! I made a leash out of some nylon rope and a leather belt and was off to Seal Beach to learn to surf. No lessons in those days. You paid your dues. Somehow I ended up at Crabs and that was my spot. I learned with some other guys I met there. We called ourselves the Seal Beach Jetty Jammers! Eventually I ventured back to the HB pier to really surf. Those waves scared me to death! You couldn't even touch the bottom like Crab's. The 70's were a real cool time to be a surfer. Long hair, OP gauze pants and those crazy velvet and thatch sandals. I sometimes would ditch school to go surf. Got Saturday work detention and would take my surfboard with me and take off surfing from there. Now they have surf class in school. What a change! In the neon charged 80's I started making these mini surfboards for fun. Twin fins, pintails and longboards. Then I came up with the idea to frame them as art, eventually adding graphics I would airbrush. My first piece on public display was at the International Surfing Museum. Natalie Kotsch thought they were great! Somehow I got the idea that these would make cool surf trophies. Nervously I called the Association of Surfing Professionals office in HB and asked if they would like to see my new trophy idea called “Kahuna's Klassics”. My soon to be wife Debra and me did a quick presentation. Meg Bernardo liked the concept and I got my first paying job. I was going to design and produce the trophies for the 1988 ASP World Tour banquet in Hawaii! Talk about starting at the top! Debra and myself were off to Hawaii for the first time ever. Being in Hawaii was a huge thrill but having an invitation and the trophies for the ASP Banquet was awesome. All dressed up at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and seeing all the surf guys from the magazines in one place. Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson, Martin Potter, Rabbit and lots more. After dinner they handed out the trophies. What a night!
Since then with the help of my best friend and wife Debra we have expanded our business to include surf related home décor items, custom surf art and souvenirs. We have had the opportunity to work with major motion picture companies to provide set props and promotional items. But our specialty is still custom surf trophies. We have probably made more surf trophies than any company in the world; OP Pro, US Open of Surfing, Oxbow World Longboard Championships and numerous amateur surf associations. We have sold our products and art to just about every country in the world. It's a full time job for both of us to coordinate production, suppliers and an ever-changing market. But it's worth it. Debra is the webmaster for our site kahunasklassics.com and did a great job. Check it out! Our shop is like a mini surf museum. Collectibles, toys, surfboards, pinball machines, surfing models, surf cars and all kinds of crazy surf related stuff. Our security is taken care of by our Chihuahua Nacho. This dog even has his own webpage on our site. Email him sometime. Don't put anything valuable in the mail slot! To say I live, eat and breathe surfing would be an understatement. Nowadays I'm into classic longboard style surfing. I usually ride my 10-foot Greek Stylemaster. It's good when it’s small, it's good when it's big. You can find me surfing anywhere from the North side of the pier, the Cliffs or Bolsa Chica. I usually get way too many waves for one guy but I don't mind sharing a wave either. Sometimes I get a wild hair and take out the shortboard, after a few sessions I got it all back! It's all good. So many people now are so board specific that they despise all other craft. Kinda lame if you ask me. Share a wave, enjoy the ocean and have fun. Life's too short to paddle around angry all the time.”
Shop address is 5152 Bolsa Ave. #105 HB. Shop number is 714 799-9918. Call for an appointment for the showroom. Website is kahunasklassics.com
SURFIN' SUNDAYS ROCK THE O.C.
The Wave ~ 5-30-07
BY Corky Carroll
I just got the following press release on the upcoming “Surfin' Sundays concert series held each summer at the Pier Plaza which is, sort of obviously but sometimes that doesn't matter, located next to the pier in Huntington Beach. Check this out and then I will be back to you at the bottom with a few comments.
“For Immediate Release - Monday May 21st 2007 at 6:22 Pm
Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Presents:
Surfin' Sundays 11th Summer Concert Season at Pier Plaza
Date: Sunday June 3rd. 2007
Time: 11:00 Am to 5:00 Pm
Location: Pier Plaza 315 Pacific coast Hwy, Huntington Beach 92648
Admission to the concert is “FREE”
Pier Plaza Bands:
Deep Sea from Rancho Cucamonga with Jon Henderson and special guests Travis & Marcus Barton formerly with Pacific Headhunters.
Insect Surfers with David Arnson is considered one of L A's hottest psycho-surf bands.
Sand Devils with Ran Mossessco originally from Israel now out of San Diego return after a one-year hiatus adding to his family.
Surf Kings with Tom Stanton from Oceanside return by popular demand to Pier Plaza after many setbacks of unforeseen circumstances last year.
Abdel Kineche will be playing a solo medley of Shadows tunes such as the world famous Apache.
Detonators are blessed to return to the big stage this year after a near fatal accident with Rob Woolsey's car rolling down the Santa Monica Mountains.
Abdel will be joining the Detonators as guest with more Shadows tunes you might remember.
Many of the bands have produced CD's for sale at this year's concerts. Don't forget to bring your own chairs or blankets, hats, sunscreen & water. HBISM Phone: 714-960-3483 Check out our website www.surfingmuseum.org for the complete schedule and latest information.”
O.K. I personally loved that “official” press release. You could tell this one did not come from some advertising agency hot dogger. No way. Not from a New York City Public Relations firm either. Nabas. It came from somebody just like you and me, unless you are one of those ad guys or girls I was talking about. I love the descriptions of the bands. Here is a list of some that they might add onto the schedule at a later date. Or not.
The “OVERIMPACTED BAND” direct from their semi sold out three-week engagement at the Hemet Holiday Inn along with SPECIAL GUEST STAR Des “Blue Dog” Metcalf who is just returning from making many babies in Fiji and stubbing his big toe.
The “ZONED TEMPLE PILOTS” from Azusa and Fontana who are currently under reconstruction after lead singer George Lambert ran off and joined the Navy. Joining the Pilots in a rare guest singing appearance will be Mickey “the Ratt” Ester who is driving in especially for this gig from his summer home in Gila Bend.
The “SEA QUEENS” all boy band from Laguna Beach. This will be the first concert for the Queens since the demise of the infamous “Little Shrimp” bar and grill which closed it's doors some years ago. Featured Saxophone specialist Frenchie Seymour will be once again featured after an extended tanning tour of South Beach in Miami, Florida. It is confirmed that the Queens will be performing their semi big hit “Poochie Poochie Man.”
The “DAWNPATROL.” The legendary and arguably second or third, maybe fifth at least, best surf band to ever come out of Barstow or just about anywhere else in the Apple Valley for that matter. Lead singer and accordion wizard Bobo “the Greek” Volan is back and better than ever after accidentally entering the 405 freeway heading south in the northbound lanes and crashing his vintage Rambler station wagon head on into an eighteen wheeler which was hauling a load of turnips. The fact that he is still alive is amazing enough but even more so is the fact that his famous candy apple red accordion also survived the collision and somehow is now actually in tune.
The 'MERMAMAS” direct from their smash engagement at the Rossmore Leisure World back parking lot Monday night rock and rest sessions. This ten Grandma band is made up from former folk groupies who have collaborated their colorful memories of camping out for weeks to get front row seats for the Chad Mitchell Trio and the carnage that used to go on “backstage” into a three hour one song set all based on a one chord progression and all played on dulcimers.
These are just a few of the possible last minute additions. Stay tuned for updates.