Terry Senate, a renowned surfboard shaper and fixture of the San Clemente surf community, passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the age of 67 from natural causes.
Senate’s influence as a shaper, surfer, and mentor extended far beyond his beloved “surf ghetto” in San Clemente. Last year, he was honored with induction into the inaugural class of the Los Molinos Boardbuilders Hall of Fame. The recognition came just in time for Senate to enjoy the outpouring of respect from his peers.
“I’m just glad we got to honor him in time for him to enjoy the love,” said Damian Brawner, a fellow San Clemente board-building icon.
A lifelong craftsman, Senate was known as one of the last of the old-school masters of surfboard shaping. He began his career at Infinity, where he trained under the guidance of shaping legend Steve Bahne and also learned from the legendary Ben Aipa during the creation of the first Stingers. Over the years, he shaped boards for top surfers such as Shane Dorian, Ross Williams, Brock Little, and Pat O’Connell.
Senate’s boards were custom hand-shaped, a reflection of his dedication to the craft. After more than four decades of shaping, his work was widely respected for its precision and artistry, establishing a successful business in an extremely competitive industry. His reputation for quality extended beyond his craftsmanship; Senate was known for his personal approach with each client, taking time to listen and engage with every surfer, a hallmark of a great custom shaper.
“Don’t ever underestimate Terry Senate,” said fellow shaper Bob Hurley at the 2nd Boardbuilders Awards in 2024. “He’s got chops.” The praise reflected Senate’s skill and influence within the surfboard shaping community, where he was admired by many.
Senate was also beloved for his warm personality and sense of humor. He was well-known for telling the same bad jokes to his friends and surf mates. Brad Basham, a longtime friend, fondly recalled, “He’d say, ‘Hey, wanna hear a joke?’ And then he’d tell you the same joke he told you two months ago! And six months ago!”
Senate’s legacy in the Los Molinos surf district spanned three decades. He survived many health challenges throughout his life, but in August 2024, after 45 years of shaping surfboards—18 of those at Infinity and 25 running his own label, Terry Senate Surfboards—he was forced to close his doors. The closure marked a somber moment, signaling that his health had taken a turn for the worse.
“Terry had such a big heart and a great attitude,” said Tom Gudauskas, a longtime friend and patriarch of the Gudauskas family. “He was an amazing human, and he will be missed by so many people.”
In tribute to Senate’s impact, many surfers will gather for a paddle-out ceremony in his honor. For those who had the privilege of riding one of his boards, the memories will remain forever etched in their minds. As one of his former customers reflected, “I remember everything about the board he shaped for me—it worked really well. When I think about the paddle-out he will receive, I wish I had it now.”
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