Stay Old School
On a random rainy Wednesday in Maui I decided it was time to check out the local ding repair shop. I was recommended to visit the repair shop, “Gramps Rock'n Chair Ding Repair” by a new friend in Maui after I put a nice crack in my surfboard from a reef hit. It was there I met Gramps. It’s not everyday you meet a surfboard shaper and repair expert who is as passionate, friendly, and resourceful as Gramps. He is a native Californian, still aims to surf everyday at 73, and has all sorts of old wisdom for you. As soon as I walked in I was in awe of the old surf magazine photos plastering the walls and vintage t-shirts hanging from the ceilings. The walls of each room were decorated by posters, notes, and photos, some sent by customers traveling all over the world. He went through every story, memory, and could recall exactly who sent him what photo. Gramps said he wanted to create a space that entertained customers when he was busy, and reminded him of the original surf shops he grew up going to in Southern California.
Instead of giving me a price quote and sending me on my way Gramps spent an hour and a half demonstrating and explaining his delicate process of fixing, rehabbing, and putting broken boards back together. Owning this shop for over 20 years- he knew his stuff.
The best part of meeting Gramps was the stories he told. He is one of those story tellers that allows you to feel like you experienced the moments yourself.
He spoke of his early summers in Southern California where his life revolved solely around surfing and filming his friends surf on a Super 8 film camera.
“I had my own splicing machine, and I would do all the post work by myself. I still have all the tapes somewhere.”
He is an old school guy for sure. No email, no cell phone, and no website for his repair shop. All business comes in from word of mouth. His space and story inspired me deeply and one day I hope to create a space devoted to my work as curated as his love for surfing and fixing boards is.
According to Gramps,
“No wave is a bad wave- unless you say it is. They are all just waves right? It’s how you chose to ride them.”
Wise in his words, I believe he was metaphorically tying this to life advice. It’s really true. All of our situations are what we make of them, and how we chose to ride them out.
Cheers to you Gramps. Thanks for the inspo!
