Amid the devastation caused by the recent LA fires, the survival of a blue 1977 VW bus, affectionately known as “Azul,” provided a glimmer of hope for many. The image, captured by Associated Press photographer Mark J. Terrill, quickly went viral, offering a brief respite in a news cycle dominated by tragedy. Azul’s resilience became a symbol of hope—something desperately needed in such challenging times.
Intrigued by the bus’s connection to the surfing world, we dug deeper into its history. Azul’s former owner, Preston Martin, has a fascinating background in surfboard technology. Martin is the creator of Starlite Surfboards, a carbon fiber surfboard brand that’s gaining traction as an alternative to traditional technologies like Dark Arts. The journey that led him to this point has been anything but conventional.
Martin sold Azul to Megan Krystle Weinraub, an artist and designer who also shapes surfboards under the label Vibrant Boards. After the bus’s viral moment, Martin reflected on the unexpected fame, saying, “It’s been crazy, absolutely nuts. I’m grateful that Megan and I were part of a tiny sliver of hope in the news cycle last week. But now, I’m just ready to focus on making boards again.”
In a conversation with Martin, he shared his thoughts on the viral buzz surrounding the bus’s survival, especially the conspiracy theories that it was spared due to its blue color. “Oh God, no, not at all,” he said, expressing his disinterest in engaging with the theories. “I just hide from that stuff.”
As for his surfboard-making career, Martin’s journey has been marked by trial and error, but his background in engineering set him apart from many other shapers. “I started making boards six years ago in my garage, and honestly, they were pretty awful,” Martin admitted, acknowledging the rough beginnings. “Some of my clients, old friends of mine, have those early boards, and I cringe when I look at them. But it’s a good reminder of how far I’ve come.”
The pandemic served as a turning point for Martin, providing the time and space to focus more deeply on his passion. “It started as a passion project during COVID,” he explained. “Now, I’m fabricating boards for some incredible shapers like Aipa, Robert’s, and Stamp’s Surfboards.”
Martin’s interest in advanced surfboard technology was sparked by the work of Dark Arts. With his engineering background, he was particularly drawn to carbon fiber, which he saw as the ideal material for creating more durable, lightweight boards. “I’ve always been tough on my boards,” he said, “and I’d always notice new dings or cracks that needed fixing because traditional boards are so fragile.”
However, Martin quickly realized that creating a carbon fiber surfboard was no simple task. “I knew I could just order a carbon fiber board, but I thought, why not make one myself?” he recalled. “It turned out to be much harder than I thought.”
The first boards he made were for personal use, but soon, people started stopping him on the beach, asking about the boards and where they could get one. This led to a fortuitous connection with Javier Validivieso of ADM Works, a research and development lab in Santa Ana, California. Through a family friend’s connection, Martin began an apprenticeship at ADM, a decision that proved pivotal in his career.
“Javier and I hit it off right away,” Martin said. “I offered to work for free, and he asked, ‘When can you start?’ I said, ‘Tomorrow.’ He said, ‘What time?’ I said, ‘How’s 9:00?’ He said, ‘I get here at 8:00.’” The apprenticeship, which involved long hours and plenty of humor, allowed Martin to hone his craft and gain the skills necessary to perfect his carbon fiber boards.
Today, Starlite Surfboards is carving out its niche in the surfboard market by offering hyper-light, durable boards at a price point around $1,000, which is significantly more affordable than the typical $1,400 price tag of most carbon fiber boards. Martin’s innovation is poised to change the way surfboards are made, with a focus on both performance and affordability.
As Martin looks to the future, it’s clear that Starlite Surfboards is on the rise. The success of his boards and the viral moment of Azul’s survival signal an exciting chapter ahead for the surfboard shaper. For those interested in supporting victims of the LA fires, resources can be found here.
Stay tuned—Preston Martin’s journey is just beginning.
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