BIRDWELL PRESENTS: Hang Ten With Birdie

Welcome back to Hang 10 with Birdie, where we catch up with friends Birdwell has made along the way, in and out of the water. Today we’re taking a visit to Bird’s Surf Shed, the 1800 square foot surf shop opened by San Diego legend Eric “Bird” Huffman in 2011. Packed with almost 1000 famous (and not-so-famous) boards, from Kelly Slater’s iconic shortboards, to balsa planks from the 1930s, and the many eclectic craft in between, Bird’s is more of a library than a museum—locals and pros are welcome to stop by and test out a board or two, any time. Between manning the shop, film premieres, and parties at the warehouse, Huffman still finds plenty of time to hit the water and share tips with surfers of all ages and levels. Here’s hoping some of his wisdom sinks in on our next go-out!

1) If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

Tavarua, Fiji surfing Restaurants.

2) If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your days, which one would it be?

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon.

3) What posters did you have on your walls when you were growing up?

None. I shared a room with two older brothers and they always had wall priority.

4) Best compliment you ever received?

That I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s life.

5) What’s in your car trunk (or van or wagon) right now?

About 2000 old Surfer and Surfing magazines that I need to sort through and add to the other 50,000 I already have.  My kids are begging me to stop accepting them.

6) Coolest animal you’ve bumped into out in the water?

Great White Shark.

7) Favorite wave?

Any part of the Jeffrey’s Bay line up.

8) Last product you recommended (including the specific brand and make)?

A custom Jim Ellington surfboard.

9) Favorite book?

I don’t read as much as I’d like to.  But I think I make up for it when I’m on vacation and I can read about a dozen books in two weeks.  I really like historical stuff- fiction & non-fiction.

10) Best memory in Birdwells?

I found a pair of size 34 Birdwells lying in the street in OB when I was like 12 years old and wearing a size 28 in jeans.  My mom darted them in around 6” so they wouldn’t fall off my boney little butt. Each summer she would let them out a quarter of an inch or so.  I kept them until I was about 25 and wearing size 30s. I think my girlfriend Amy (now my wife of 40 years) secretly ditched them cuz one day they were just GONE!

From Birdwell Beach Britches