Case Study 02 Liddle Surfboards

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Welcome to Case Study Two! In this episode we take a deeper dive into the mysterious world of displacement hulls by learning more about hull lord, Greg Liddle and what is now Liddle Designs.
Greg Liddle is a very private person and recently retired from shaping. Luckily his friend and business partner, Kirk Putnam is keeping Liddle surfboards alive by recreating replicas of Greg Liddle's boards with Scott Anderson of Anderson Surfboards at Aquatech Glassing based out of Hermosa Beach, California. Greg's hull designs have been slowly refined over the course of 50 years and most people in the surfing community would agree that he shapes some of the best displacement hulls around. There isn't necessarily a strict definition of what a displacement hull is but they generally have a deeply rolled, convex bottom contour, wide point forward, pulled in tail, very knifey rails, a s-deck, and low rocker profile. Displacement Hulls are just one style that exists in the vast universe of surfboard designs; that being said, it is cool to see a design make it through 50 years as there are not many designs that hold the surfing community's interest for that length of time while holding true to it's design characteristics. Granted displacement hulls surfers make up a small yet die hard subset of surf culture. Displacement hulls generally promote fast, down the line surfing with ease, style, and grace. We look forward to seeing this design continuing to spread beautiful surfing throughout surfing's future.
Cover photograph by Paul Ferraris

[@f9qo]

When Liddle had his first shop in the San Fernando Valley on Ventura Blvd., it was great place to hang out for young surfers. Nothing else to do, no decent surf, just go hang out at his shop. Greg was ALWAYS the nicest guy to us, and always seemed in good spirits and welcoming with no sense that he didn't appreciate us guys hanging out there, no matter the hours being there. He'd be sitting behind that counter he had, I can easily picture it, often with foam dust covering him. I bought a number of boards from Liddle. I sent him a note after he retired, a little sad to know he stopped his production, but congratulatory, to which he kindly responded. Just a great guy, I hope he and his family are doing well.

[@fredluna1730]

I have many Liddles from the 70's to a custom shape from the 90's. The best boards ever. I was a grom haging out at the shop in the mid '70's. God I miss him.

[@chriscollins1232]

I remember the shop off the freeway in Agoura what a Blessing

[@adamburrows6264]

I was given a Liddle board yesterday for Father's Day. It's been sitting in a garage in Big Bear for the last 30-40 years. It definitely needs some TLC, but there is a ton of life left in it. Dims, best I can tell is 5'10"x20 1/2"x3 1/4". I'm going to bring her back to life. Thank you so much for this video and the inspiration.

[@tommythompsonsurfer]

who and low much $$$$?? tommy t. email

[@leftymagoo2710]

Yeah. Whew! My Dad knew what good junk is. He made a living in building/ remodeling houses. Nice collection there Kirk! Pardon me pleez but I need to say Thank you Captain Kirk!

[@patrickshannon183]

Greg shaped 4 boards for me over the years….loved all of em….its a personal preference….love how they ride….just need to get a feel for them….

[@jimcallaham1392]

as a former shaper myself I am dying to see a straight edge run across one of those bottoms, those rails look so thin and centered , mind-boggling, makes me want to drag out my old shaping tools ,get a couple of blanks and get to work

[@williamhanley7031]

Great history lesson. Kids have no style these days. It was all style back them. Easy to watch. Now it's kinda hard on the eyes

[@clarkewi]

Greg's blue surfboard rental shack at Malibu next to the burger canteen. That was summer '65.. Dora ruled the place. I was 14 running with Kelly Field and Louis Fain bumming cigarettes (surfers smoked in those days) from tourists on the beach. Please God can I do it again?

[@woodman1701]

That’s a cool mini doc. I remember hearing about these boards in the 90’s and beyond. I had no idea he retired in 85. People are still talking about these hull designs.

[@Thurston.Howell.the.3rd]

Bring back the frequent buyer discount !!

[@ashleymott8944]

Great video and awesome music choices.

[@kionimoto]

So much knowledge

[@LAL00O00]

Its cool how he talks about the templates. Cool to have a physical template as a surfer i know most people wouldnt care. They probably have digital ones now a days for the potato chip surfboards wonder if there us any hand shapers that 3d model there finished work.

[@hhhssss-kv6wj]

My favorite board is 6,8smoothies

[@birdssurfshed]

Sweet!!!

[@BEEBEE159]

Cool video. Thanks for uploading. I'm going to make a displacement surfboard, to give it a try.

[@civilsocietyprivateinteres1711]

What about Duncan and Wilderness?

[@mccrackenfilms5931]

so good

[@calfolk7381]

Was the Liddle sign donated to Mollusk, Santa Barbara? Cool exhibit there 👍

[@glennsak]

Kirk probably brought it over. He can be seen there working on most Saturdays.

[@sealaka]

Amazing

[@detacheddad3396]

2:10 what kinda man!

[@EdwinLap]

Death Maschine - Best board ever.

[@charlescecil1697]

Gregg? Let's go out to eat again!? What's Andy doing?