George Olson

A surfboard shaper who became, with Bill Lee and Ron Moore, the third leg of the Santa Cruz ultralight movement. Called the father of the ULDB.

Born

1939; died November 2008, aged 69

Before boats

Surfer and surfboard shaper; hod carrier; set designer for Disney and Universal

Partnership

After Ron Moore rescued the Grendel mould, Olson worked with Ron and John Moore to produce the Moore 24

Own firm

Founded Pacific Yachts with Lyn Neale and Alan Wirtanen; hundreds of boats built until 1987

• 1967Sopwith Camel — with Wayne Kocher
• 1970Grendel — 24-ft prototype
• 1973Santa Cruz 27
• 1978Olson 30
• —Olson 25 / 29 / 34 / 40