What is the repeated pattern of cat paw prints across Canyon and related surfboards trying to tell us? What is the meaning?
The other day my fine friend Brandon, a purveyor of vintage San Diego surfboards asked—”What’s the deal with the paw prints scampering across the decks of these old surfboards shaped by Rusty Preisendorfer and Michael Richardson?”
Both of these shapers worked for Canyon Surfboards.
The Abbott Street Canyon Surfboards retail shop was close to dog beach—coincidence?
Paw Print Surfboard #1 – Mid 1980’s Rusty Canyon Thruster
Case in point, this Rusty Canyon Surfboard, expectedly from near the end of the Rusty & John Durwood Canyon collaboration, does indeed feature the paws of a wandering animal.
What is this animal doing tracking across the deck of classic San Diego surfboards?
Paw Print Surfboard #2 – Michael Richardson Thruster
Here is another documented case of paw prints wandering around the deck of a San Diego surfboard.
The curiosity is pawsitively amazing.
The Canyon Surfboards Experts Weigh In on the Mystery
There was a reason for sign on the old Canyon factory of Sante Fe street that read, “Best, In the West”. In it’s heyday, Canyon Surfboards were ridden by top competitive riders around the world.
People reach out to me all the time about Canyon Surfboards, and when I get stuck I turn to past Canyon employees like Karl and Scat.
Scat Daddy, who came with the building when Canyon moved into the old Seagull Surfboards shop in OB, was the creator of these paw prints.
Here’s what Scat said:
I had done a Canyon board for the East Coast, maybe Rockaway beach. The bottom had a blue dinner plate, fork, knife and spoon. On the plate was a fish skeleton dragged half way off with cat paws going to the plate, pausing, and walking off. Yep, really.
Scat Daddy
For those who don’t know, the fish surfboard design was created in 1967 by San Diego shaper Steve Lis.
Do you also covet fish surfboards?
There is an exciting announcement about new Canyon Surfboards coming soon so check back!