# Shaping Surf History: Tom Curren and Al Merrick, California 1980-1983 - Hardcover

by **Jimmy Metyko** (Author), **Jamie Brisick** (Contribution by), **Sam George** (Contribution by)

**Metyko captures an era-defining snapshot of one of the most fertile and influential moments in California's surf history. The dramatic action shots and intimate moments follow the rise of young legend-to-be and future world champion Tom Curren and the surfboard shaper Al Merrick.**

During the early 1980's, Santa Barbara, California, saw an extraordinary mix of innovation, individuals and imagery, combined with a relatively rare meteorological phenomena, that led to one of the most influential periods in modern surf history.

The rise of young legend-to-be and future three-time world champion Tom Curren, whose preternatural wave-riding abilities would help establish California at the forefront of contemporary surfing; the emergence of then-unknown board builder Al Merrick of Channel Island Surfboards, who would go on to becoming the sport's premier board-builder; a once-in-a-generation run of exceptional surf conditions - photographer Jimmy Metyko was there to capture it all. With a compelling blend of dramatic action, intimate moments and epic waves, Metyko's imagery and personal perspectives articulate a remarkable waypoint on the sport's cultural timeline, as well as a better understanding, and appreciation, of where surfing is today.

### Author Biography

**Jimmy Metyko** became an integral player in California's nascent professional surf scene, while attending Santa Barbara's Brooks Institute of Photography in the 1980's. His work has appeared in _Surfer_, _Surfing_, _Breakout_ and _The Surfer's Journal_. **Jamie Brisick** is a Fulbright fellow and former professional surfer. His writing has appeared in _The Surfer's Journal_, _The New Yorker_, _The New York Times_, and _The Guardian._ **Sam George** is the former editor-in-chief at _SURFER_ Magazine and 2014 Emmy Award winning documentary director (_Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau_). He is acknowledged as one of the sport's leading authorities.

**Number of Pages:** 304

**Dimensions:** 1.26 x 11.97 x 9.21 IN

**Publication Date:** September 05, 2023

## Details

- **Price:** 55.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 55.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Shaping Surf History: Tom Curren and Al Merrick, California 1980-1983 - Hardcover

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