Vintage Wardy Surfboards for Sale
“What makes a quality surfboard? Creative skill and meticulous attention to every detail. Hours of research and experimentation spent finding the precise fusion of each component. A quality board cannot be mass produced, but must be created, step-by-step, by professionals whose ultimate aim is to achieve perfection.”
The quote above was lifted directly from a Wardy Surfboards ad in Surfer magazine (courtesy of TSJ). It summarizes the work ethic, spirit, and integrity that went into every surfboard built by Frederick Julian Wardy.
Born in 1934, the Los Angeles native developed an enthusiasm for surfing during this teenage years after watching surfers glide across the glass of Malibu. Wardy went on to study at the University of California (UCLA) in the early 50s, although his greatest education (as far as the surf world is concerned) would come from his grandparents home where he learned to build surfboards. He briefly interrupted his education to enlist in the Army, but continued at UCLA and in surfboard design upon his return. After leaving UCLA in 1957, Wardy moved to Oahu HI for a short stint where he would learn to ride waves of greater consequence and expand upon his knowledge of board building, first with balsa and eventually with foam. Two years later (1959) Wardy bounced back to California and opened a surf shop in Laguna Beach, but soon after a Wardy dealership was opened in Honolulu.
Randy Rarick recalls the following:
I had the pleasure of visiting the Wardy dealership in Honolulu in the mid-60’s. John Thurston was the manager, and the shop was located on the mauka end of Kalakaua Avenue at the start of Waikiki. At that time, there were only two manufactures locally, being Surfboards Hawaii and Inter-Island Surf Shop, which then became Surfboards Makaha. So, the mainland manufactures had dealerships, with Surf Line Hawaii carrying eight different mainland brands and Hobie and Greg Noll being represented by stand-alone dealerships. So it was a big deal when Wardy opened up a shop.
Since I was one of the repair guys at Surf Line Hawaii, I had the opportunity to repair thousands of surfboards and invariably a number of Wardy’s came into the shop for repairs. I was always impressed as to what clean glass-jobs they had and the cool stringers. Whereas a lot of the other brands relied on colors, radical fins and other gimmicks, the Wardy’s were always very understated and conservative. They let the shapes and quality of the glass work do the talking for them.
Randy with Wardy (quotes and image courtesy of frederickwardy.com)
While a number of shapers and board builders of the time hung around the scene long enough to get relegated to the sidelines by the shortboard revolution of 1968/69, Wardy retired from the business at the top of his game. He transitioned into becoming a full time artist, leaving behind an incredible legacy of surfboard craftsmanship.
Today, Frederick Wardy’s boards are highly sought after on the vintage surfboard collectors market. It just so happens that Randy Rarick recently completed a full restoration on a pair of Wardy’s, one of which we are featuring for sale below. If you find this article in time, you have the opportunity to own a piece of history.
9’2” Wardy “Beachbreak” Model (SOLD)
This 1961 9’2” Wardy “Beachbreak” Model features two 1/2” balsa stringers adjacent to high density foam center. The chocolate brown pigment rail panels are absolutely delectable, while the laminated wood fin with halo downright angelic.
The like-new board received a full restoration by Randy Rarick. This vintage Wardy was available for sale for $2500 (with FREE shipping to anywhere in the U.S.A.) but sold within two weeks of posting.
Call Randy at 808-638-7266 or email surfpro@hawaii.rr.com to inquire about being placed on a waiting list for other vintage Wardys coming down the pipeline.
9’5” Wardy “Speed Shape” Model (SOLD!)
This 1966 Wardy “Speed Shape” is a gem. The 9’5” board features a T-Band center stringer framed by stripes of a blue hue that can only be described as sapphire-meets-azure. Black pin lines further define the exquisite wave-riding craft. The flip side boasts a fiberglass blueish/green tint matching fin and tailback.
This like-new board received a full restoration by none other than Randy Rarick. Ready to ride, or displayed with pride, this vintage Wardy was available for sale for $3000 (with FREE shipping to anywhere in the U.S.A.) but SOLD within 12 hours of publishing. Stay tuned for more!
Call Randy at 808-638-7266 or email surfpro@hawaii.rr.com to inquire about availability.