Saturday, February 26, 2011

My 1st Surfboard

My 1st board was a mid 70's - 6' Michaels Fremont single fin...double ender. My Dad bought it for $50 from a buddy in 1979...it hangs on the ceiling of my shop. Learned to surf that summer at Nauset Beach in Orleans, Cape Cod...down on the south end past the guards. My pops took myself and a buddy to Jasper's Surf Shop and we rented wetsuits for the 59 degree water...no leashes, didn't know what one was. After swiming a whole lot in the cold(er) water, we went back to Jaspers and he drilled a hole in the fin and put on a leash and we rented a couple of wetsuits. That was the coolest summer...one I will always remember.

3 or 4 years ago I had it in the window at the shop for display...got an early morning message from a guy claiming he shaped the board. Met up with him later and found out it was Mickey Fremont...now a lawyer in Encinitas, CA. He was in the area for a wedding and was trying to track down some of his old boards.  He grew up in NYC and he and a buddy shaped boards on the 3rd floor of his buddy's parents department store.  He hung in the shop that morning and shared stories of shaping boards in the 70s and growing up in NYC.  Turns out mine was glassed at the famed Channin Glass Factory in Encinitas...he could tell by the pinlines  He wanted to buy the board, but I wouldn't let it go...Mickey appreciated that someone wanted it as much as he did.  Meeting Mickey was way cool...a real nice guy and a piece of surf history.

13 comments:

dj trish said...

Wow wanted to buy back a cherished memory?Good job on standing your ground!Trish

Unknown said...

I've been trying to find out information about Michael Fremont for years. My first board was and Michaels Fremont 6'3" single fin that I purchased from a friend up in northern Jersey. Do you know if he is still interested in finding some of his boards?

Unknown said...

Hey it's Mickey

I don't remeber being really mad just really tried to buy it BUT as you said I was really pleased that you had so many memories of it and it gave you and still does such pleasure
just having it around. It remains in the right and proper place

SinglefinGlide said...

Mickey, That was a really cool day...I was glad to meet you. 'Mad' certainly wasn't the right word... I apologize. More like 'eager to buy it'. Hope you are doing well.

Unknown said...

It's Anthony michaels, Mickey and I were making boards in the 60's and I am the michaels in min chapels Fremont. What is mickeys contact info

SinglefinGlide said...

Is this him?
http://www.california-dui-lawyers.org/moreinfo.asp?cddId=19

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anthony Michaels said...

i am the owner of the company

Mateo A. said...

Hello I am selling my 6' Michael Fremont pintail Single Fin in San Diego. Used condition but still has a ton of life in it. Has classic pin stripes down center and sides.

Eric said...

Unknown with Michaels Fremont for Sale...please contact me.
eric@beachhouseclassic.com

Unknown said...

I have one like this great condition, I’m here in Huntington Beach, someone offered me to buy it but I have no idea anything about the value of it, can anyone help me please it’s 7.7” tall great condition one fin please help me so I don’t let it go for way less than it’s true value. Thanks

Unknown said...

If you want to see mine or offer to buy it or at least
For the value of it you guys can email me
Mirarosabella@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Who Mickey? The real Fremont one? I have one like it great condition trying to sell it but I’m not sure what I should sell it for
Can you please help me, how much should I ask and where I can post it. Mine is great condition 7.7” tall let me know please mirarosabella@gmail.com