On Saturday, November 15th at 5:00pm, Surfing Heritage and Culture Center (SHACC) will unveil its newest exhibit: “Hap Jacobs: Celebrating 60 Years of Shaping.”
Admission is free to SHACC members and $5 for non-members. Doors open at 5:00 pm. A no-host bar will feature Primo Beer and wines from Longboard Vineyards, and Wahoo’s Fish Tacos will cater some tasty food.
“SHACC is stoked to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Hap,” said Paul Strauch, Executive Director. “He’s a legendary surfboard builder and was one of the finest craftsmen in the industry – from the late 1950s until 1971 when he made a career transition into commercial fishing.”
According to SHACC Curator/Creative Director, Barry Haun, the new exhibit showcases over two dozen Jacobs surfboards, representing the progression of coveted models made famous by one of the best surf teams ever assembled. “From classic balsa boards through transition era boards, the exhibit showcases many of Jacobs’ most popular and innovative board designs.”, Haun said.
After amicably ending his five-year business partnership with Dale Velzy, Jacobs opened the Jacobs Surfboards shop in Hermosa Beach at 422 Pacific Coast Highway in 1960. These were the “golden years” of surfing.
By crafting some of the best boards available, Jacobs attracted a stellar team of riders, including Miki Dora, David Nuuhiwa, Lance Carson, Robert August, Mike Purpus, Paul Strauch, Johnny Fain, Dru Harrison, Henry Ford, Sparky Hudson, Kemp Aaberg and others.
In 1990, after a 20-year hiatus from shaping, a long-time friend and team rider gave Jacobs an old planer that had once belonged to Ben Aipa, and coaxed Hap into shaping again. Jacobs set up shop in the Shoreline Glassing facility in Hermosa and picked up where he had left off. He hired a young shaper, Matt Calvani, and helped mentor him to hone his craft. Calvani eventually assumed the shaping for several Jacobs surfboard models. Calvani has since emerged as a highly respected craftsman, and continues to build boards for the Jacobs, Bing, and Cooperfish labels.
SHACC is asking that all attendees refrain from bringing memorabilia and requesting autographs, so that Hap can relax and enjoy the evening.
