LADY CRUZ
It was the allure of the California Coast in summer that reunited us. The days that stretched on well into the evening, a warmed Pacific Ocean where spring suits felt like enough and shimmering blue-green waves that tumbled onto shore so consistently they felt almost mechanical. Such lucid memories were enough for the three of us, who lived across the country, to reunite in San Diego and prepare for seven days of surfing twice a day up the coast with a couple of Bing Surfboards in tow. The board models we brought were the 9’6” Levitator, the 9’4” Continental and the 9’2” Pocket Knife.
WHAT A TRIP
At just 22 years old and hailing from a place not known for its surf quality, new Bing ambassador Trip Chandler has put together quite an impressive visual resume riding longboards. In between finishing up college courses you can either find this kid holding a single fin log or a fishing pole, but never without a big grin on his face.
A BENT LIFE
I grew up with surfing uncles and our family moved down to Orange County in the mid-seventies. We would go up and visit my uncle who was working for Becker Surfboards and still riding for Rick Surfboards. My other uncle was really good friends with Wes Price who started Natural Design Surfboards in the Southbay. My uncle was living on the Strand in Hermosa and would give me most of my skateboards at my parents request.
THE LEGEND OF TOOTHLESS JOE
Working with Bing is so much more than I ever expected out of “work”. The entire Bing team has not only pushed me to be as creative as I can be, but it’s given me a sense of family in a new place. I have moved all over the world in my life and I’ve never felt such a warm welcome before. Their collective positivity and warmness has brought me so much inspiration in the few months that I’ve had the pleasure to work with them. I can’t wait to see where these friendships will take us all. I’d like to give a special shout out to a guy who’s inspiring positive attitude and willingness to give a random toothless guy from Delaware a chance, Grey Lockwood aka “Team Dad”
THE REUNION
On a Saturday afternoon Bing and David gave a group of friends, surfers, surf historians and surf-stoked groms fascinating insights into what it was like surfing and building surfboards in Hermosa Beach in the 60’s and into the 70’s.
MUY BUENO
I surfed the Church + Middles zone a lot when I was in San Clemente. I definitely clocked a few magic sessions in that part of the coast. I have always kinda been allergic to the crowd factor in California…. But this season I feel like I had a few sessions that felt like I was in the Baja. Maybe 6 people out… all smiles and good vibes. So many waves! We did a morning meet up with the Bing crew and absolutely scored… glassy perfect waves. That was a standout session for sure. When I was staying in Venice I was surfing Malibu, which never felt like Baja, with 600 of my best friends or heading up the coast to Ventura to surf the beachies or Rincon. It’s always kinda fun to get into the mix at the Bu. You just have to think of surfing as a completely different activity. It’s more of a happy hour vibe all the time.
WHAT MAKES A MEMORY?
I took these photos on a trip that involved two kids as they puked what appeared to be decomposed avocados into my hair, being awakened twice by spiders crawling on me in bed, showering willy nilly with a scorpion and slamming my neck on a concrete skate ramp.
Surf Photographer Spotlight: Ridge BenBen
My name is Ridge BenBen (yes, that’s my real name!) and I grew up In Dana Point, CA. I’m 26 years old and I’m currently a full-time photographer.
An Alaskan Adventure with Anna
Bing rider Anna Gudauskas isn't one to sit still for too long. Travelling to remote waves in cold climates seems to be an addiction of sorts. Although the temps are below freezing, seeing waves peel off with no one around is enough to warm up her big smile. Check out the photos by Sarah Lee.
Rest in Peace: Hap Jacobs
The loss of legendary shaper Hap Jacobs has been another blow to the Bing Surfboards family. His early friendship with Bing Copeland, and his mentorship of Matt and Margaret Calvani helped pave the way for the resurgence of the Bing brand over the last 20 years. Matt + Margaret Calvani and Bing Copeland share their thoughts of his passing.
Changing Tides Day 2021
Bing Surfboards is celebrating #ChangingTidesDay by donating to my friends at @Changingtidesfoundation whose mission is to empower women to protect the planet and promote inclusivity and diversity in and out of the ocean, and we encourage you to shop Bing Surf Shop and bingsurf.com where will be donating 10% of todays sales to the Changing Tides Foundation.
Bing Sano Day in November
Every once in a while, the Bing crew shakes off the foam dust, and shows up to San Onofre State Beach to test some new designs, hang, eat some tacos, and sip a beer or two. In November, the sun can shine bright, and warm you up after a chilly dawn patrol. If the winds cooperate, you can have glassy conditions all the way til dark. Matt and Margaret know this, so we closed the doors at the shop, and kicked it in the sand for the day. Photos and words by Paul Nett.
Silver Spoon's Pilgrimage North
While so much of cold water surfing is filled with novelty surfs and hours warming up at coffee shops, this trip was different in that we scored nearly every single day for 10 days straight. That's pretty unheard of on Iceland's windy, rough and rugged coastline.
Bing + Surfing Wave Pools
With new wave pool parks opening up around the world, it's possible to get waves in places you wouldn't expect to. A few of our Bing family members have had the chance to get some Bing Surfboards under their feet at land locked wave parks you may be eager to surf. The parks actually produce waves that rival the quality of your local home break. The feedback from each family member can help you know what Bing to ride at a wave park near you.
Interview with Mario Ordoñez-Calderón of 'Un Mar De Colores'
What would you do if you were gifted an almost pristine 1970s Bing single fin? Would you keep it for yourself? Most probably would. Encinitas local Mario Ordoñez-Calderón saw it as an opportunity to give back to his community. Mario approached Bing Surfboards about raffling off the gorgeous 7’4” single fin to raise money for his local non-profit, Un Mar De Colores, and we gladly accepted. We’ll be holding 14 day raffle for this original Bing surfboard with a live drawing for the winner on July 17th. All proceeds will go to Un Mar De Colores.