Monday, January 25, 2010

Duke and the Monkey...

Completely different from one another, yet they both hold a piece of history to me and the surf culture...


Surf Monkeys have been a piece of surf culture for the past 25 or 30 years...made of plaster of paris in Tijuana, Mexico, they are actually piggy banks.  As the story goes, on the way home from your surf trip to Baja, you'de pick one up in Tijuana...you'de fill it up with loose change and bills, then break it open when it's time for your next surf trip.
Chancho is our shop Surf Monkey...there's a story behind this guy!  In September of 1989, while at my bachelor party in Hermosa Beach, CA with the Boober...we decided to take a trip down to Tijuana...another story for another day!  Anyhow...after a very interesting trip and some heavy haggling, we ended up with Chancho...he broke at the ankles on the turnstyle on the way back into San Diego.  He's been passed around quite a bit, but now permanently resides in the shop's window making sure there's no lies in the surf stories being told!



Duke Kahanamoku...the Father of Modern Surfing!  On January, 22 1968, we passed the anniversary of the passing of possibly the greatest Waterman that ever lived!  This original picture from the early 1960's hangs with pride in the front of the shop!  It belongs to long-time Manasquan local A.C. Cappa...it was given to A.C.'s Dad by a personal friend of the Duke's.  I'm honored that Arty feels that the Beach House is where it belongs for all to see!  I think Duke epitomized the "Aloha Spirit" when he said..."Just take your time - wave comes. Let the other guys go, catch another one."



1 comment:

Unknown said...

Where can I purchase a surf monkey? I have been searching the internet for hours and can't find one for sale. Google lead me to your website.

Thanks,
Vanessa