If it was 1988, local shredder Chris Wells would be on the team wearing elastic waist, Panama Jacks, looking to pick up chicks at the Dive N’ Surf in the Del Amo Fashion Center and Pat Reardon would be a no-brainer to win best Surf Shop Shaper.
“I’ve always been a shaper first. I never worked in a surf shop. Retail wasn’t my thing,” Reardon said. “I value the surfer shaper relationships — making custom boards.”
Reardon has shaped for the South Bay’s best. In no particular order, they include Hatzikian (before his first shape at age 12), Robinson, Frohoff, Wells, Browning and the Levy brothers. He traces his star back to sweeping floors in the Becker factory at age 12..
“I have to give credit to Phil Becker and Steve Mangiagli. Phil paid me $1 to cut out blanks.” he said. “I currently derive my shaping inspiration from my visits to the North Shore. There are so many amazing surfers and shapers — the waves are so out of control and gnarly. Thank you South Bay.”
Pat Reardon: 1412mb@gmail.com
Runner-up surf shop:
Don Kadowaki
Kadowaki Surfboards
www.kadowakisurfboards.com
