Best of the Beach 2014, Best Surf Shop Shaper: ET Surf’s Pat Ryan
photo by Mark Kawakami
Mr. Pat Ryan has been faithfully at the helm of ET Surf’s planer since 1972. Versatility is Ryan’s forte. He can shape a 4-foot-11 grom board all the way to boards for lifeguard and big wave charger Tom Seth and every type of ocean apparatus in between.
“I surf a lot, I paddle a lot, I have a feeling of what works and have put in the hours,” he said.
Ryan credits his riders like Nick Natter, Chris Rodriguez, and Michael Luhrsen for feedback on perfecting his craft.
“Those guys make my job easier,” he said,
Although Ryan is a living Encyclopedia of surf design, his focus is on the present and advancing all water craft design.
“A lot of people seem to reflect on ‘the good old days,’ being in the past,” he said, “With our choices as surfers and watermen and women, ‘the good old days’ are right now.” ES
904 Aviation Blvd., Hermosa Beach. (310)379-7660. ETSurf.com
Runner up: Mark Brog of Brog Surfboards 2215 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach.(310) 370-1428 SoulPerformance.com
photo by Mark Kawakami