Filed in: Shaper Reviews (Hawaii) | On: April 29th, 2007 | Comments: (20)
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Innovative shaper Dave Parmenter, from California, was an up and coming pro surfer in the 1980’s. He had ridden Rusty Preisendorfer’s surfboards as a pro which eventually led him to Australia as a shaper under the Rusty label. After having notable shaping success in Australia, Dave moved to Makaha, Hawaii in the 1990’s and created his own surfboard label, Aleutian Juice. In his spare time, Dave Parmenter also contributes surfboard design articles and features to Surfer Magazine and Surfline. Aside from his writing, he has become one of the leading stand up paddle board shapers around though he shapes a wide variety of surf craft including high performance shortboards, retro designs, funboards, beach boy boards, and longboards. 20 Comments »By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. Any violations of these terms may result in account suspension or deactivation. Please keep your comments civil and in good taste. To report a comment, email info@surfboardshack.comLance Conragan, on August 20, 2007 @ 4:00 pm |Been surfing 100 to 300 days a year since 1963, after 40 years in Half Moon Bay now living in Oregon – very boredf with thrusters in real surf – would like to order a Dave Parmenter 2+1 – how can that be accomplished? thanks. Lance Neal, on August 22, 2007 @ 12:31 pm |Lance, I would say you should search Google for his contact info…if I can find it I’ll post it here. Joe, on January 30, 2008 @ 12:23 pm |Lance, If you ever read this, you can purchase Dave’s boards from Moondoggies Surf Shop in San Luis Obispo, Ca. 805-541-1995 Janice Cranch, on June 1, 2008 @ 1:12 am |This a private email for Dave Parmenter, I lost touch with Rell after your wedding photo’s arrived Mike, on June 9, 2008 @ 6:13 pm |I have a 1976 Dave parmenter (billabong)board in great shape. Should I put it up for sell and is it worth anything? Chris, on June 17, 2009 @ 7:23 pm |Love Dave’s shapes (Aleutian Juice) and have 3 boards I ride often by him in different spots, Costa-Northern California. It is too bad his boards are hard to come by-His “stub vector” has been one of my favorite boards, a sort of displacement hull thruster. Enough width to get my 55 year old corpse in early enough.He comes over to the central coast to shape at least 2x/year and boards can be seen at Moondoggie’s, San Luis Obispo. Recently, I tried to order a custom from them, knowing when he was coming, and owner Randy totally flaked on me. This is not a real surf shop but your typical clothing store with a few boards and bored give a s- kids behind the counter.. Even though I have purchased about 5 boards from them, will not purchase a wax bar from them again. He could sell a lot of boards if he wasn’t wed to these clowns. Wishing he could hook up with a real shop on the Central Coast with other progressive shapers.. Mollusk up here in SF would be a good fit. Anyway sorry for bad grapes but when I find a shaper I like, I stay with them, and its too bad I can’t get another board from DP. Will stick with Terry Martin D Murphy, and B Hilbers for my long & mid lengths and ride my Parmenters’ till they are brown & soggy. Chris Whitby, Osa Penninsula, CR. Tracy (McCluskey) Rose, on February 8, 2010 @ 8:52 pm |Dave, this is your cousin Tracy. Ian Parmenter, on February 11, 2010 @ 6:35 pm |I am a keen surfer and love doing the molokai paddle race I am wondering if I am related to Dave Parmenter? Chris Whitby, on February 18, 2010 @ 9:09 am |I wrote a comment above regarding Dave’s Calif. Shop connection and board availability-Let me say, please disregard any comments that are not positve- Shop owner Randy put me together with Dave and went above and beyond to get a board to me. If you wish one of Dave’s sweet shapes I am sure the folks at Moondoggie’s in San Luis Obispo will hook you up.They are good guys.(Ed feel free to remove prior comment-thanks) jason B, on February 26, 2010 @ 9:53 am |Took a year, patience, and gentle periodic emails but eneded up with a custom board from Dave, THANKS MAN! out of Hale Nalu in Makaha. Well worth the journey, he replicated/reinvented an older aleutian juice I rode for ten years into a new mirror like shiney red board to match my 1970 VW bus. Instant classic board that turns heads every time I pull it out. It should last another ten yrs at least, and as a 7’2″ I can catch anything from 1footers to north shore and west side double overhead with amazing speed and smooth old school lines. Matt, on February 27, 2010 @ 9:19 pm |I would love to get a custom widowmaker from dave but i live in NSW australia. marcello, on April 8, 2010 @ 12:30 am |Aloha Britt, on April 13, 2010 @ 11:08 pm |Hi Dave ; this is Britt! I used to stay with you in San Luis . I’m back in Fla and have lost touch with Luanne ..are you still in contact with Craig?I know is been forever! I came upon one of your stand up paddle boards quite on accident and was pleased to see that your love of shaping and of the sport has trancended into a whole new amazing aspect..much love to you Chance Boyer, on April 17, 2010 @ 7:10 am |Dave is the man! Many try to copy his designs but don’t even come close, especially with stand up paddle boards! Shawn, on June 3, 2010 @ 7:44 pm |Just picked up a free 1973 board shaped by Dave Parmenter in pretty good shape for a board 37 years old. A little sunfaded.Some girls were throwing it away in San Luis Obispo and claimed they picked it up in Santa Barbara. Interestingly, it is a tri-fin. All three fins are blue. I thought tri-fins didn’t come around until the late 70’s. What gives? Was Dave ahead of his time? It has his signature and date under the glass. If you want to hit me up, I’m at: 805coyote on YouTube. PJ, on July 16, 2010 @ 6:58 am |Dave’s boards are the finest. I have two. One custom and one off the rack. The custom is too short for me now, but it’s never leaving my possession. Still nice to look at, despite it’s aging. My Stub-Vector is now my choice. Tom, on February 23, 2011 @ 2:23 pm |I just bought one of Dave’s Vectors at Moondoggies in SLO. I grew up in San Diego and surfed all the time during the 70’s and early 80’s (I was even good) and shaped about 25 boards myself. I got into climbing and took 25 years off surfing. I started surfing again on the Central Coast a few years ago and have gone though about 7+ boards trying to get something that works. I saw the Vector in the shop and it just looked right. I went to every other shop here and nothing else looked good. I bought it and it has been unbelievable since the first wave. I can honestly say, THIS IS THE BEST SURFBOARD I HAVE EVER RIDDEN IN MY LIFE! I am 6′, 210lbs in the water, the board is 6’11” but rips. I couldn’t be happier with it. I thought I had lost it for good, but just needed this board. Marc, on February 5, 2012 @ 6:33 am |I remember Dave from his Newport days. He always marched to the beat of a different drummer. He’d forgo surfing the crowded spots and found little beach breaks nobody thought of surfing. Case in point was a place he called “mini V land”, south of Newport Pier but up from the Point. He also was an avid reader and, before his surfing days, even made his own movies! Debra Smith, on May 11, 2013 @ 7:40 pm |Hi Dave it’s Debbie Smith, we used to work together at the Cayucos Tavern. Good to see you are doing what you love! I live in Fla. now and am taking care of my mom. Take care! Leave a comment |
Michelle(Genny) Wilson, on July 23, 2007 @ 9:35 am |
Hi,
I grew up in Cayucos with Chris and Dave. I now own my own surf shop in WA and would like to see about getting some of his boards in my shop. I have not had any contact with the Parmenters in over 20 years, but I am sure if they think back they would remember me. We lived 2 houses over from them.
I would like to stay away from China boards if possible, but I am finding that challanging.
If you can put me in contact with Dave or Chris, I would be so greatful.
Thank you for your time and concideration.
Michelle G Wilson