The Gary Linden Experience
Surfer, shaper, event organizer, innovator, judge, tour founder, Oceanside icon, international big wave slayer, husband, Dad, Grandpa — at 70 years old, Gary Linden has either found the fountain of youth or at least an endless supply of surf stoke.
Gary’s journey into surfing began at age 12 when he rode his first wave on a borrowed board, sneaking away from a 4th of July beach picnic. Five years later, as a newly minted member of the Windansea Surf Club, he shaped his first board — a McTavish style Vee-bottom. That was the opening act for a lifetime of shaping boards professionally and chasing the biggest waves on the planet.
Today, with over 50 years of experience, Gary’s shapes have become some of the most sought-after boards and big wave guns in the world. His knowledge of heavy water is earned from his own time in the water and from feedback from some of big wave surfing’s best-known names.
As the former president of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), Gary founded the Big Wave World Tour in 2009, which eventually became the World Surf League Big Wave Tour. As a judge and organizer, Gary still lends his expertise at big wave events each year at Jaws, Killers, Nazaré, Mavericks, and others.
In addition to custom foam boards, Gary’s shapes are centered around sustainability — using balsa and agave wood to create boards that are performance-oriented, durable, and better for the environment.
When he’s not hopping a flight to chase a swell or sitting in the deep water at Todos, Gary spends his time in Oceanside with his family, right where it all began. Just a few blocks from the beach, with an easy walk to check the waves.