SKIP FRYE MODELS
Skip began shaping the early 1960's. His first ones for Phil Castagnola and Olympic Surfboards, then shortly after for G&S. After a few years as a production shaper, Skip got his own model in 1966. The boards I reviewed here are ones he is best known for creating, or at least giving it his own touch. The descriptions are from my original notes that I turned into The Journal for the article. Those were beautifully edited by the great Scott Hulet. The descriptions here include some of my original side comments and notations.
Enjoy.
Squaretail - 1966(G&S)
Skip was offered his first signature model from Larry Gordon at G&S in 1966. The
clean plan-shape and foiled fin were a signature calling card for this first offering.
Skips first couple dozen models didn’t even have his trademark wings yet, but rather a humble piece of rice paper with just Skip’s signature. Skip says he got the idea for the wings from seeing Dukes board with a similar logo. “The Duke was the king, so why not try to be like him,” says Skip. That’s some good advice for us all.
Eagle - 1967 (G&S)
On the heels of his first successful model, Skip released a pintail version, which he
decided to call the Eagle. The shape was an instant classic with its sleek outline that promised speed in any condition. “It’s my most signature design,” says Skip. It’s still pretty much the same. Not much has changed over the years except the bottom contours.” The original came with a classic vee bottom, which has since evolved into the concaved masterpiece it is today. Surfers like Taylor Steele, Brad Gerlach and Taylor Knox have all thrown down their money and spent time on the coveted waiting list to add an Eagle to their stash. While there are some great shapers making models similar to the Eagle, nothing can compare to the original.
(Note: Skip said the shape almost went away over night when the “shortboardrevolution” came along.) It reemerged in popularity during the early 1990’s when he
was shaping in Pacific Beach at his surf shop, Harry's. Also some people like to say they have a double eagle. Skip laughs saying, “There’s no such thing." The first versions from G&S mentions this but it was just in one ad. After that it never was anything as the shortboard revolution was on. Some people still call it that because some are longer or more pulled-in than others. "It's just the Eagle.”
Egg - 1969 (G&S)
Skips first egg was shaped in 1968 when he took his beloved vee-bottom that was,
according to him, “6’6" and kind of a dog.” He took a saw to the square-tail and cut it into a wide round tail that he rode and loved. “Once I did that, the shape worked so good. It was game on,” says Skip. Later he shaped himself a new board and used that tail design on the nose as well, tuning it in, ever so slightly. With that, the Egg was born. This shape has been in Skips quiver ever since and is considered one of the most versatile shapes on the planet. In surf from 1-8' this shape can do it all.
*Note: While the first ones were single fins, they have been made in every fins set up and size. from 5' to 12' the eggs with tri set ups and a center box are the preferred ones for variety and options.
Gypsy- 1975 (G&S)
Larry Gordon design. Skip still shapes these but it’s a G&S trademark design. Originally a concept board from 1970, the Gypsy had a typical bottom contour is flat to Vee. While this is still what they make over at G&S, Skip has his own versions that feature his deep concaves and in his experimentation has made off-shoots like the "Gyps-Egg." The wide almost diamond-tail is one of Skips favorite designs and he often rides it as a twin with Jeff Grennan fins and also in many variations.
*Note: The Gypsy is such a great universal design. There was one around a couple years ago that popped up that was 6'2" and had glass-on Grennan fins. Chris Christenson loved it but it ended up going to Chris at Pilgrim. Just another example of how the design can work at any length.
Magic – 1975 (G&S)
Another one of Larry Gordons original designs. The classic G&S shape just keeps on delivering great results. Skip say’s of the shape, “Its one of the classic shapes of all time from Larry and Paul Bordieri. I’ve made more than I can count” says Skip. The classic California design works well in all kinds of waves from soft beach break to pumping reef breaks. It features a user-friendly outline that works in almost every type of surf. Fin set-ups as a tri-fin are usually best, but get side plugs and a center fin box for options.
Swallow Tail -1976
This classic California swallow-tail is one of the most over-looked shapes that Skip makes. From six to eight feet in length, this shape can handle almost any size or wave you throw at it.
I’ve ridden my 7’7” on the ledges of Fiji, the points of Baja and huge California winter surf. Every time it has been dependable and incredibly fast. If you’re trying to find a daily driver for good conditions, this one is it.
The longer versions are a blast as well. In the last 20 years or so, the wider spllt tail options have taken a front seat as the wider and faster feeling on the longer boards like the Fish Simmons, Swish and Nozzle have proven themselves as favorites.
*Note add clip later of Skip telling the story of how he went as fast as hes ever gone on his 7'7" swallow.
Pintail - 1977
This one is another classic from the vault. Influenced by Hynson and Lopez, this traditional classic Pintail was a shape that he started building while at G&S and has kept the template in his pile ever since.
While some people associate Skip with beautiful drawn out longboard designs, there was a time when this mid-length pintail was an everyday shape, especially around Pacific Beach Point.
While the sweet spot in the late 70's was the 7'7" , he's stretched them out and up to 12'. Theres photos floating around of guys surfing them at massive Sunset Beach and at large point breaks around California.
K-Model- 1978
The K-Model is the “short board” of Skip’s designs. The shape blends a tight, rounded pintail (something you might see on Occy’s old Rusty’s) with a racy shape that feels like you’re riding a long, short board if that makes sense?
Skip once wrote on the stringer of my K-model in 92': “The long and short of it.” That about sums it up. You can turn it like a short board at speed, which is great for waves like San'O and Tourmaline.
The name comes from the brothers Skip worked with on the design, Pacific Beach siblings Corky and Timmy Kessler. Older versions feature a basic flat bottom to vee, but these days, they feature a tri-plane hull with massive concaves for even more speed. This design is a must have for the guy who loves shortboard type carves but wants the glide of the longer rail-line.
Thinman- 1976-77
This shape came along accidentally and has become an underground favorite to many, including myself.
The first one I ever rode belonged to Phil Castagnola Sr. of Select Surf Shop in PB. Skip says of the shape,“I was shaping behind Select making a board for Jeff Grennan and I shaped a blank too thin. I came out and presented the shaped blank to Jeff and he asked what it was. I said I don't know but its thin man, The name Thinman stuck."
Jeff Grennan adds, "I asked for a longboard type shape and Skip comes in with this board that was like nothing weve seen before. It was a great mistake."
(Field Note: Skip is using many new shaped fins based on a template by PB point surfer Jeff Grennan. Skip says the new smaller, heavily raked fins make old shapes like the Thinman feel new again. hes correct)
Fish- 1969
While Skip is the first to say that the design is all Stevie Lis. He is also quick to point out that his loyalty to the shape is second only to it’s creator. This no-frills design is incredibly maneuverable and built for speed. Skip has done little to alter the shape over the years because, as he says, ”It’s always worked on every kind of wave.” He has started to stretch them into longer and longer lengths over the last couple of decades. Age has done anything but slow Skip down as he is taking new looks at old shapes in an effort to make them work for better for him in his senior years. For that, we all reap the benefits of his never ending desire for design and innovation.
Note: He's made traditional fish into longer plan-shapes but as they get longer they need some hip action or pulling in of the tail to help be less tracky.
DH Fish- 2016
Skip never thought to change the basics of the fish template that he has used since the late 60’s, that is, until Derek Hynd requested that he pull the tail in just a bit so it would turn a little better.
“The narrower tail width inspired by Derek changed the whole feeling of the shape,” says Skip. While that was a big design shift, it wasn’t until 2016 that the design found new traction after local surfers revisited the shape and asked Skip to make them one. Since then, the request for the DH fish has become the norm not the exception when customers are ordering a fish.
Note: Having a few Fish in my stash, In my opinion, the addition of the Geppy Slant-backs to the DH fish make it super maneuverable and feeling more lively than ever.
Fish-Simmons- 1993
In the early 90’s, Skip was on a tear. Inspired by Clark Foam making new 11-12 foot blanks, Skip began designing bigger, full-volume boards which, at that time, was rare. Frye started revisiting the designs of Bob Simmons planning hulls and decided to blend the fish design with the Simmons outline and added some deep bottom contours. This inspiration brought about one of Skip’s most in-demand shapes to date, as well as sparking a design period that he calls, ”Maybe the most important of my career.” The designs attributes of speed and versatility have made this shape another Skip Frye original and one of his best of all-time.
(Field Note: Offshoot design – The Swish- Combining the Fish Simmons with a traditional fish. Has a narrower tail. Works best as a tri-fin, the nozzle is also in this same vein but a different beast nontheless.)
Brayden - 2013
Skips daughters name is Brayden. She wanted her dad to make her a board so Skip blended a Thinman tail with an Egg nose to create a new design back in 2013.
Since then, the orders have poured in after what Skip calls “Positive feedback,” from his crew of friends who are test pilots for his new shapes.
The shape is non-traditional but as all Frye models, designed to flow on any wave with speed.
The Condor – 2017
Over the Christmas break of 2016, Skip came into possession of a huge 13’ blank
that measured in at over 7” thick. He decided to make himself the biggest board he's ever made and dubbed it: The Condor.
“It’s just a really big Eagle but I had to use every ounce of my craftsmanship to blend the rocker and thickness. It started at 7' inches thick and
after shaping It down, it’s at about 4" inches.”
(Field note: I was lucky to be a member of a small group that watched Skip glide into his first waves on a 2’ day in Pacific Beach Cove. His smile confirmed that the shape and glide were acceptable.)
Nozzle -2018
The Nozzle is an incredible design that blends the our line of a Fish-Simmons with the bottom of a traditional Fish. The single concave runs deep from nose to tail and the Simmons hip aids in breaking the water flow allowing the board to glide and turn equally well.
In waves of size with some power, the board comes alive and feels incredibly fast and responsive. Yet in slower waves it still carries speed and trim. Its a masterful design that will find its audience.
(Field note: Having ridden it at Chicama and in huge california reefs, the board is one of Skips Best)
Other Models deserving of Honorable mentions:
Gyps-Egg: Gypsy tail Egg Nose
Pointy Nose Egg
Noserider
TC Model
Christmas Tree Pintail