r. At 15 feet long, 19 inches wide, and 4 inches thick, it was considered a "lightweight" at 100 pounds. Blake refined his methods, getting the weight down to 60 pounds with the hollow construction.1930'sThe 1930's became a period of surfboard innovation as surfing popularity spread up and down the West, East coast and Australia. In 1930, Blake got a U.S. patent for his "Hawaiian Hollow Surfboards." He also developed the first fins, or skegs, in 1935. The first company to produce commercial surfboards was Pacific Ready Cut Homes in California. In 1937, Whitney Harrison would shape four boards a day for $100 a month. The redwood balso boards had a distinctive logo, the Swastika, but was removed prior to World War II. The first annual Pacific Coast Surfriding Championship were held in the mid 1930's. 1940'sWorld War II had a profound effect on surfing. Many coastal areas where off-limits to surfers, piers became submarine watch points and most surfers were in the service. The lucky ones, though, were stationed in Hawaii and after the war brought back surfing skills to their own coastal communities. The biggest impact that the war had on surfing was the development and application of new materials such as waterproof glues, plywood, balsa, Styrofoam, and rubber. Bob Simmons had a physical disability and made money by making redwoods boards. Also, using theories he learned at Cal Tech, he designed the first twin fin boards with concave bottoms and later experimented with tail contours and rounded rails. Simmon's followers grew and demand for plywood, Styrofoam and balsa surfboards became to big. Partnerships were formed and surfboards shops opened. Joe Quigg fashioned surfing's first fiberglass fins and a man named Rochlen began applying colorful designs onto the boards. 1950'sA whole new slew of name-brand personalities and surfboards came along during a time of prosperity and personal free time. The demanded for Balsa surf...
