Plastic Fantastic Surfboards: The Timeless Legacy of Surf Craftsmanship Now at Spunky’s Surf Shop!
A Revolution That Shaped Surfing Forever
When you think of the surfboard revolution that transformed wave riding into an art form, one name stands tall among legends—Plastic Fantastic Surfboards. Born in 1968 in Huntington Beach, California, this brand became a driving force behind the shortboard movement, shaping not only the future of surfing but also the culture that surrounds it.
Today, Spunky’s Surf Shop in Fort Pierce, Florida is proud to carry this legendary brand — connecting the past and present through craftsmanship, style, and pure surf stoke.
The Birth of a Legend: Plastic Fantastic’s Early Days
The story begins in 1968 when Danny Calohan, Dave Garner, and Jack Ceritto teamed up to create what would become one of the most influential surfboard companies of the shortboard revolution. Their shop quickly became the heartbeat of the Huntington Beach surf scene — featured in magazines, surf movies, and across tours nationwide.
Plastic Fantastic Surfboards weren’t just boards; they were a statement — sleek, performance-driven, and built by surfers for surfers. The lineup of talent was unmatched, including shaping icons Bruce Jones, Bill Fury, Dennis Choate, Jim Turner, and Danny Calohan himself. These craftsmen didn’t just follow the waves; they defined them.
Before long, top surf shops across the U.S. wanted a piece of the Plastic Fantastic magic — from the West Coast to Texas, the Gulf states, and the entire East Coast.
Trials, Transitions, and Triumphs
Like any true surf odyssey, the Plastic Fantastic story had its challenges — and its heroes.
As the orders grew, so did the pressures of production. By the early ‘70s, the brand was crafting 50 to 70 surfboards a week, but with the boom came financial strain. Payrolls, materials, advertising, and royalties piled up. Some shops bounced checks; others couldn’t pay at all. The crew, passionate but stretched thin, found themselves on the brink.
But the wave didn’t stop there.
In March 1973, surfboard craftsman Robert Highsmith, owner of Surfcraft Hawaii, made a pivotal move that would rescue the brand from fading into history. As Robert recalls:
“Danny and I cut a deal for me to buy the name, rights, and logo — everything. He and his crew retained the state of Hawaii as their territory. The attorney, Thomas Whaling, on Main Street drew up the contract — all signed, sealed, and paid for. On March 1, 1973, I began restructuring a great surfboard company with the stoke it had earned.”
From his shop on 5th Street and Pacific Coast Highway, Highsmith rebuilt Plastic Fantastic with a new generation of master shapers — Jim Waide, Hobie legend Terry Martin, and the world-famous Robert August among them. The shaping bay buzzed again with energy, innovation, and aloha spirit.
Together they brought back not only the boards but the lifestyle. They launched Plastic Fantastic T-shirts, “Surf Naked” bumper stickers, and painter’s hats — turning the logo into a symbol of the golden era of surf culture.
Surf icons Glenn Gibbons, Bill Dinnie, and “Rockin’ Fig” Fignetti helped lead sales, with the shop becoming one of Dive ’n Surf’s biggest wetsuit distributors for years. Meanwhile, shipping surfboards nationwide — from Galveston, Texas to Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Virginia Beach, VA — became a full-blown operation.
Highsmith fondly recalls:
“It all came together when we’d ship 50 boards to Galveston, 50 to Jacksonville Beach, and 100 to the Plastic Fantastic warehouse. We had great customers who loved our surfboards — and today, we’re still offering those good memories. Some things in life rise to the top — and this was one of them.”
A Legacy That Still Rides Strong
Today, the Plastic Fantastic Surfboards legacy lives on, renewed by generations of surfers who cherish both history and performance. The brand maintains a vibrant online community through their Facebook page (@plasticfantasticsurfboards) where stories, photos, and memories from the ‘70s continue to spark nostalgia and stoke.
At Spunky’s Surf Shop, we’re honored to carry this living piece of surf history. Each Plastic Fantastic board on our racks is more than fiberglass and resin. It’s a tribute to 50+ years of craftsmanship, passion, and the surfers who made the sport what it is today.
Surf History Lives
Plastic Fantastic Surfboards embody everything we love about surfing — artistry, resilience, and timeless design. Their story mirrors our mission at Spunky’s Surf Shop: preserving surf heritage while inspiring the next generation to paddle out and live with stoke.
Come by Spunky’s in Fort Pierce, Florida, and see why this brand still holds a place in surfing’s heart. Whether you’re chasing that retro style or a board with a story — you’ll find it here, where surf history and local soul collide.