If a Picture tells a Thousand Words, a Video Speaks Volumes...
Corky explaining to Raquel what Blue Mango Surfboards are all about
It all started one afternoon over Corkaritas on Corky's deck. We were discussing whether it might be worth launching a website to promote Corky's All-Inclusive International Surf Adventure and possibly sell his music and maybe some t-shirts. Since his latest album was called Blue Mango, he decided we would call our new company Blue Mango Surf.
Corky had noticed on social media that I surf regularly when at home with an old competitor of his, Mike Purpus. He had always admired and respected Mike when they competed against each other but never was very close as friends. This was likely because of the notorious SouthBay/OC rivalry that existed then and still does.
Corky had asked me whether I thought Mike would like to come aboard and co-design some magic surfboards together with him. We needed a master shaper for them to collaborate with too and take everything from A-Z. Mike and I had been working with Jose Barahona for over three decades so he was our first choice. He'd shaped thousands of boards for Phil Becker before Becker retired and turned over his shaping bay (and legacy) to him. Last year, Hap Jacobs retired and also turned over his brand to Jose to continue. Jose had been ghost shaping for Jacobs and many others along with building his own Barahona Surfboard brand.
So, we combined Mike and Corky's 60 years each of experience with Team Barahona. Jose and Oscar Barahona have over 40 years each of experience building boards in the Rick/Becker/Mangiagli Glassing factory, established in 1961. This factory is likely the oldest continuously running surfboard factory in the world and twenty years ago. About 20 years ago, Phil Becker was about 80,000 boards ahead of Al Merrick for having personally made more hand shaped surfboards than anyone else in the world at the time.
Today, Blue Mango Surf has evolved into three distinct Surfboard labels. Corky Carroll Blue Mango Surfboards, HotLips Designs by Mike Purpus, and Corky and Mike's Legends of Surfing Co-Designed boards series. Recently, Robert Highsmith, owner of the iconic Plastic Fantastic Surfboards brand, authorized Jose to shape his brand as well. The dude can shape!
Our boards have provenance before they even get waxed. Each Legends of Surf model is signed by Corky and Mike. We are stoked to have world famous Dive'N'Surf Body Glove Surf Shop of Redondo Beach, also around for over 60 years, as our exclusive South Bay authorized dealer. If you don't see our boards over there, ask!
Corky had noticed on social media that I surf regularly when at home with an old competitor of his, Mike Purpus. He had always admired and respected Mike when they competed against each other but never was very close as friends. This was likely because of the notorious SouthBay/OC rivalry that existed then and still does.
Corky had asked me whether I thought Mike would like to come aboard and co-design some magic surfboards together with him. We needed a master shaper for them to collaborate with too and take everything from A-Z. Mike and I had been working with Jose Barahona for over three decades so he was our first choice. He'd shaped thousands of boards for Phil Becker before Becker retired and turned over his shaping bay (and legacy) to him. Last year, Hap Jacobs retired and also turned over his brand to Jose to continue. Jose had been ghost shaping for Jacobs and many others along with building his own Barahona Surfboard brand.
So, we combined Mike and Corky's 60 years each of experience with Team Barahona. Jose and Oscar Barahona have over 40 years each of experience building boards in the Rick/Becker/Mangiagli Glassing factory, established in 1961. This factory is likely the oldest continuously running surfboard factory in the world and twenty years ago. About 20 years ago, Phil Becker was about 80,000 boards ahead of Al Merrick for having personally made more hand shaped surfboards than anyone else in the world at the time.
Today, Blue Mango Surf has evolved into three distinct Surfboard labels. Corky Carroll Blue Mango Surfboards, HotLips Designs by Mike Purpus, and Corky and Mike's Legends of Surfing Co-Designed boards series. Recently, Robert Highsmith, owner of the iconic Plastic Fantastic Surfboards brand, authorized Jose to shape his brand as well. The dude can shape!
Our boards have provenance before they even get waxed. Each Legends of Surf model is signed by Corky and Mike. We are stoked to have world famous Dive'N'Surf Body Glove Surf Shop of Redondo Beach, also around for over 60 years, as our exclusive South Bay authorized dealer. If you don't see our boards over there, ask!