"In early 2006, I was 19-years-old, and shaping my first
surfboard. I drew up plans for a 6’5 solid-Balsa single fin with five
redwood stringers. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into,
but I knew I wanted to take my time. My grandparent’s life-long
compadre, and dear family friend, Pete Tresselt recently had his
early-60′s Balsa Hobie restored, so I figured it would be worth a quick
trip to Laguna to visit Pete and see his Balsa board. I hoped to glean
some inspiration and tips in the process, however Pete went above and
beyond. After I spoke to him, he called his friend Terry Martin and
asked if he could bring me by. I was ecstatic… Terry was possibly the
most incredible surfboard craftsman in history…and certainly one of my
favorites (and Griffin’s also). Coincidentally, Terry was working on a
pair of Balsa longboards the day I went down. I spent a couple hours
talking to Terry as he worked. Terry was more than gracious enough to
talk me through the basics of shaping Balsa, and how different it was
from shaping foam. My time with Terry was memorable, helpful and
inspiring… my only regret is that I didn’t bring a camera.
Flash forward to 2014: Cameron, Chad and I made a trip to the
Tresselt’s house in Laguna to do a proper interview with Pete, and hear
some of his priceless surf stories. Pete lived in Makaha in the 1950′s
and shared a Quonset hut with some very familiar names in surf history.
He later bought his first lobster fishing boat from Renny Yater. He
still has that 1963 Hobie Balsa D-Fin hanging in his living room. This
interview includes some of our favorite stories and moments from our day
with Pete Tresselt, a true Surfer + Craftsman"
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