In June of 2024 I finally set a date with Ventura surfing legend and master craftsmen Mr. Dennis Ryder for a quick interview. Fifteen minutes away from my home, Dennis and his wife live in a beautiful property alongside a calm creek. What seems to be a serene and beautiful creek unfortunately has another side to it. A nightmare turned reality due to a series of weather anomalies which included fires, apocalyptical rains and mudslides changed the Ryder's way of living. Though able to save their home, barely, the whole property and structures within have been compromised. For example, the shed that was Ryder's shaping bay and micro board factory for his "from scratch to finish" operation is now under water. The Ryder Family through their perseverance and determination are taking the steps to bring their property back to its almost original beautiful state.
Dennis now shapes out of William Dennis Surfboards shaping bay and keeps producing beautiful functional magical surfboards under the label Dennis Ryder Surfboards. By the way, the Dennis in the William Dennis Surfboards label was because of a short partnership with Blinky (owner of WDS) in 1967.
DR and I had a great recorded conversation that flowed like a 9'8" well shaped classic log.
Gracias to Mr. Ryder for sharing his immense and highly valuable knowledge and anecdotes.

Topics;
Beginnings in surfing.
Morey Pope.
John Peck Penetrator.
Wilderness Surfboards & Greenough Designs.
Surfboard Design and its evolution.
Longboards, longboards, longboards.
Displacement Hulls
and more!

Mr. Ryder can be contacted for surfboard orders via his website
https://www.dennisryder.com/
For his  surfing blog post 
https://drsurfboards.blogspot.com/

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