Treasured Los Angeles Board Builder Scott Anderson Has Died
Rest In Power.
Yesterday, the Los Angeles surf community felt shock at the news of beloved shaper, board builder, and cultural icon Scott Anderson passing away.
Californian surfers, especially the thriving longboard community at Malibu, Topanga, and the LA area points, will be more than familiar with Anderson’s influential handshapes. While Stab readers might recognize him as the man behind the Greg Liddle-designed Death Machine that Dane Reynolds wrestled in the first Electric Acid Surfboard Test (see above), his earliest major contributions came under the feet of Josh Farberow, Dane Peterson, and the main heads behind the early-90s longboard renaissance.
“Scott Anderson, arguably one of the most talented, versatile, hardest working, and humble men I’ve ever met,” wrote Pilgrim Surf Supply’s Chris Gentile, one of the lucky shop owners to offer Scott’s boards. “Kind and incredibly generous as anyone could be. Scott has made so many of us surfboards that elevated our experience on a wave… and he’s never needed the spotlight on himself.”
“His ego seemed to be well fed by the talented surfers and friends that performed with his shapes under their feet. His designs and craftsmanship speak for themselves… Heartbroken for the loss of this man. He was truly an original and a quiet genius.”
After shaping his first board in his mother’s garage 16, Anderson went on to work with Lance Carson, Jeff Ho, Robbie Dick, and the Natural Progressions crew in the early-80s, as well as Skip Emblom of Santa Monica Airlines.
When surfers started picking up vintage California logs, Anderson was one of the first young shapers to start refining classic templates with modern foils, rails, and rockers.
For the last twenty five years, Anderson has run one of the most beloved area glass shops and factories operating, Aquatech in Marina Del Ray, later taking over Greg Noll’s old South Bay shop, building his own Anderson Surfboards label, as well as Greg Liddle Designs with Kirk Putnam, and a range of models with Brothers Marshall duo Chad and Trace, as well as Belinda
Baggs, Dane Peterson, and Josh Farberow.
“I’m sad to hear the news about the passing of Scott Anderson yesterday,” wrote CJ Nelson. “His boards have been a staple at Malibu for as long as I can remember and under the feet of some of my closest friends. Mega talented shaper that really looked after and cared about his community. This morning my heart goes out to his family, friends, and staff. My thoughts and love are with you guys today. Rest easy, Scott, you are loved.”
“We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of surf legend Scott Anderson,” Daydream Surf Shop’s Kyle Kennelly wrote. “The global impact he has made on the surf community runs deep. He did what he loved to do, build surfboards, he was the one who took over Liddle, he ran one of the best glass shops in California, and was an incredibly honorable human being. If you have one of his sticks (which so many of our customers do), please cherish it. Our love goes out to Scott’s family.” Especially. Thank you, Scott, for everything you’ve done. Your impact will live on for generations to come.
Scott leaves an enormous hole in the South Bay surf community. He will be dearly missed.
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