On Sunday, June 22th, amidst the vibrant celebration of Joe Roper’s 50th anniversary – a true milestone in San Diego’s surf history – we had the distinct pleasure of reconnecting with some of the original architects of Canyon Surfboards. It was a day filled with camaraderie, shared memories, and a tangible connection to the deep roots of our brand’s heritage.
Among the familiar faces, it was a particular honor to spend time with John Durant and Karl Eiberhardt, two individuals whose contributions were absolutely foundational to Canyon Surfboards’ early success.
John Durant: The First Collaborator and Employee #1
Many know John Durant as a celebrated surf photographer and author, capturing iconic moments in surfing history with his lens and words. What some may not realize, however, is that John was also Canyon Surfboards’ very first employee.
Back in the nascent stages of Canyon Surfboards, our original founder and principal, John Durwood, actively collaborated with John Durant to secure initial funding for his ambitious new surfboard brand. Though the specific deal Durwood hoped for didn’t materialize immediately, Durant’s talent was undeniable. As a skilled backyard glasser from Sunset Cliffs who had even worked briefly at Gordon & Smith, John Durant was quickly brought on board as a highly competent surfboard fabricator. His expertise was crucial in satisfying orders from East Coast surf shops after early ads ran in national surfing magazines, solidifying Canyon’s nascent production capabilities.
Karl Eiberhardt: The Manager, The Shaper, and The Misidentified Surfer
It was also fantastic to catch up with Karl Eiberhardt, another early Canyon Surfboards employee who predates even the legendary Rusty Preisendorfer. Karl was a true renaissance man of surfboard fabrication – a backyard shaper, glosser, laminator, and polisher. His dedication and talent, coupled with his college degree, saw him quickly rise through the ranks to become a trusted manager of the Canyon Surfboards shop on Abbott Street in Ocean Beach.
Karl regaled us with a hilarious, yet frustrating, anecdote from his time managing the OB shop. He recounted a day surfing near the OB Pier when he was ticketed by a lifeguard for allegedly being too close to the swim-only area. In court, Karl attempted to clear his name by noting the lifeguard’s report stated he was wearing a black wetsuit, when in fact, he was wearing a brown one. Much to his dismay, the judge, a self-professed swimmer who often encountered surfers near the pier, immediately ruled against Karl, proving some battles are unwinnable, even with clear evidence!
Echoes of Early Collaborations
The celebration also brought to mind other key figures from Canyon’s beginnings:
- John Holly: John, who lived next door to John Durant, played a unique role. He would shape boards and simply hand them over the fence to Durant for glassing. It’s a fascinating bit of lore that the original longboard shaped by John Holly eventually became the foundation for Steve Lis’s iconic fish shape – a testament to the interconnectedness of surf innovation in those early days.
- Sam Cody: An early Canyon Surfboards employee and renowned color expert, Sam Cody was legendary for his upsell prowess. He could effortlessly transform a simple request for a $30 pinline into a $175 custom surfboard enhancement, demonstrating an innate understanding of aesthetics and customer desire.
Connecting with these luminaries at Joe Roper’s 50th was a powerful reminder of the passion, ingenuity, and vibrant personalities that shaped Canyon Surfboards in its formative years. Their stories are a vital part of our ongoing legacy, inspiring us to continue pushing the boundaries of surfboard design and craftsmanship. We’re proud to stand on the shoulders of these giants.