Robert August Surfboards

Robert August Surfboards
Founded	1974
Location	California / Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Shaper	Robert August
Category	Longboards, Hybrids, Shortboards
Website	http://www.robertaugust.com

An overview of great surfboard shapers and brands of our time would be incomplete without the mention of Robert August Surfboards.

With a rich history in the sport, Robert August started his line of surfboards and longboards in Huntington Beach, California in the 1970s and it has now grown to become one of the most trusted surfboard manufacturers to date.

History and Founder

The founder of Robert August Surfboards, Robert August, was born in 1944. His interest in the sport began in his early years first riding waves as young as 6 years old.

The strong attraction that the sport had on him can be attributed to his father, Orall "Blackie" August, who was involved in surfing from early in his life. This was due to his introduction to surfing by the famous Duke Kahanamoku.

Orall August was so well known in California’s surfing community in the 1950’s that Robert’s childhood home in Seal Beach, California became the de facto headquarters for surfers in the area.

Thus, Robert August simply followed in his father’s footsteps and then took it a step further from participating in surfing to founding and managing one of the leading surfboard shaping firms in the world today.

However Robert August’s place in surfing and the surfboard shaping world was immortalized in the 1960s making of the surf documentary Endless Summer.

In this documentary Robert and surf buddy Mike Hynson travel around the world with film maker Bruce Brown in 1963.

The purpose of this endeavor was to create a surf movie that would remove the stigma that lingered over the way people viewed Californian surfers at the time. The film introduced the public to true meaning of surf culture and every surfers’ desire to find the perfect wave.

This ultimately resulted in the production of what would become one of the most influential and popular surf documentaries in the history of surfing.

The Endless Summer was later followed by the making of Endless Summer II where professional surfer Pat O’Connell and longboarder Robert “Wingnut” Weaver attempt to repeat Robert and Mike’s epic surf trip around the world.

In this second documentary the two get a chance to meet up with Robert August along the way.

Robert first started shaping surfboards for a surf company in Hermosa Beach, California called Jacob Surfboards. He later left and shaped for a variety of companies on demand until deciding to open up his own surf shop selling his own designs.

The Surfboards and Other Products

Robert August Surfboards have often been praised for their longevity, ability to ride larger waves and their overall floating capability.

Perhaps no board model of Robert August is as popular as the ‘What I Ride’ longboard series. In fact, this might just be the best selling longboard model in the United States.

That said Robert August also stocks smaller board models including mid range surfboards and retro single fins.

The prices of Robert August Surfboards come in a broad range that is friendly towards different ends of the economic and social spectrum but the quality of workmanship is kept high.

Robert August is also heavily involved in the designing of strong epoxy and veneer surfboards, being the 2nd shaper to join the Surftech team. A number of his models are available as Surftech surfboards including the What I Ride, Wingnut and Sabre models.

Similar to other successful surfboard manufacturers, Robert August has moved beyond just shaping surfboards to developing their own line of apparel and even wine.

Robert August also offers skateboards and bicycles as well.

These forays into new markets have experienced significant success but the company has been careful not to lose focus on its primary revenue stream and core business; that is, surfboards.

Overview of Robert August Surfboards

The latest Robert August Surf Shop was in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, but has now been closed down and replaced by a surf hostel called Blue Trailz Hostel.

The Robert August Surf Company still operates out of California, and you will still see many Robert August boards being surfed in the Tamarindo area as Robert August still resides in his vacation home there.

Robert August is known for his classic longboard models, reminiscent of the times he longboarded in the 1950’s to 1960’s. Although he has some “shortboards”, those were fillers during the time shortboards emerged over the longboards.

The following are offered by Robert August Surfboards include:

Longboards

• What I Ride
• RA Retro
• Wingnut Models
• Minchinton Saber
• Mark Martinson
• Harley Ingleby
• Dodger Kremmel
• Brian Anderson
• August Girls
• Mary Osborne
• Endless Summer Classic
• RA Balsa

Mid-Size/Hybrids

• Big Guy Tri
• August Girls
• Mini Nose Rider
• Fun Model
• Hyper Fun
• Martinson X

Shortboards

• Bud Llamas XGS
• Bud Llamas XRF
• Bud Llamas X7
• Bud Llamas Sting
• Robb Havassy Model
• Fishy Fish
• Double Play Twin Fin
• RA Retro Quad
• August Girls Shorty

Other

• Retro Single Fin
• Retro Fish
• Surftech
• Aviso

Market Reach

Robert August Surfboards have spread their wings beyond the United States and are now available in France, Australia, The United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Spain and Costa Rica.

If you reside in one of these countries other than the United States you can place custom orders through a licensed distributor in the country nearest to you.

Distributors of these surfboards have to meet elaborate terms of quality assurance to make sure that wherever clients buy their surfboards from, they can be confident of the same standards.

See also

• List of surfboard manufacturers
• http://www.surfboardbrandshq.com/robert-august-surfboards/

Bibliography

• http://allaboutsurfboards.com/robert-august-surfboards/