I just bought a used Walden Magic 8'6\". I have read about all the incarnations of this board (Ventura, Boardworks, GSI) and am trying to figure out where mine fits in. Apparently it was made in the USA because it is stamped USA. It does say Ventura on the back. It says USA Surf Works on the tail. Any idea on where it was made, pop out ? Any info you can share with me would be appreciated.
Nice scoop on the Magic Model! Your model is obviously made in the USA, so you can pretty much rule out GSI. Outside of manufacturing whereabouts, the Magic Model is one of my favorite longboard designs. My first longboard was actually a 9' Magic Model and I picked up a 9'6" a few years later. Steve's Magic Model revolutionized modern longboarding and it will never go out of style. I noticed the CB Surf Shop sticker on your board - if you are ever around the North End, hit me up. I have always wanted to ride the 8'6" version - I bet it shreds. You picked up a real quality board. Enjoy it.
Thanks for the responses. No matter the history I really like this board and can't wait to get it wet. I am coming of a 8' Perfection epoxy pop out funboard shape, 8 x 22 1/4 x 3 1/4. The more I read, the more I think I might have scored a special board. At least in the highly controversial world of Walden history I am coming up with some uneducated and poorly researched theories. It appears Walden has been made by various manufacturers. Currently GSI makes them as pop outs in Asia in both poly and epoxy. Before that Boardworks made them, epoxy I think, and again I think they were pop outs. It seems before that they were made in Ventura, CA at Steve Walden's place and were hand shaped. I believe somehow Walden has a deal with GSI were he still makes them in Ventura and sells them while at the same time GSI makes them over seas and sells the pop outs. Not sure how that could work. Mine does not say GSI which would indicate made in Asia. Mine does not say Boardworks which would indicate pre GSI but still a pop out, I don't know where those are made. Mine says "Made In USA" and "USA Surf Works" and Ventura, CA. Mine is a poly board. Based on what I have read it seems it might be possible mine was hand shaped in the Ventura, CA shop. I don't know if that means it is an older board, pre all the other manufacturers and made by Steve Walden in Ventura or if it is a recent build but still made at Walden's place in Ventura or it is just stamped Made In USA and Ventura but somehow still a pop out. My wild ass, uninformed, shot in the dark and probably completely wrong guess is: The board is hand shaped in the Ventura shop and is not that old. This would coincide with the theory Walden is allowed to make and sell boards other than through GSI. I think if someone knew what the number on the bottom of my board meant it would contain all the info I am looking for. Also I have seen very few people post comment, pictures, adds or stories about an 8'6" Walden Magic. Plenty in 8' and 9+. Even if it turns out I bought an epoxy pop out made in Russia I am quite happy with the board and can't wait to get it wet. I would guess someone with a little real knowledge of Walden boards would be able to tell me exactly what I have after looking at the pics for a couple of seconds. I must solve this mystery. My "facts" are weak but my off the wall theory is that this board is a hand shaped, poly board made in the Ventura shop. Don't know how old it is. Please tell me how wrong I am or what parts I have right. Thanks for reading and for any help you might be. Mark
Steve Walden & his cronies are still shaping boards today. In fact, CB Surf Shop had/have two brand new Walden boards shaped by Steve himself. GSI produces pop-outs for other board labels like Webber, McTavish, etc. GSI offers surf labels extra income to reproduce their most popular shapes. You definitely do not have a GSI model, but that does not rule out the possibility that your Walden was shaped by a machine in the US. A human hand did touch it, given the handwritten board number. Your best bet would be to call Walden and ask if they can look up your number. Chances are, they will have record of your Magic Model.
Great Idea. Don't know why I didn't think of it. I just emailed Walden the info on my board. I had never been to CB Surf Shop before last week. I normally hit the Wrightsville and Wilmington shops. Kind of surprised I never heard of CB and none of my friends had been there. What an awesome place. I worked with Steven who really appeared to want to make sure I was happy with my choice. They had a sweet 7'10" Vernor that I had to have until I saw the Walden. I still want to go back for the Vernor. FYI, they have all their board bags at 50% off. Got a nice 8'6" bag for $50. Thanks again.
Glad to hear that you had a positive experience at CB Surf Shop - Steven is a cool dude and he tears it up on the longstick. Good looks on mentioning their board bag sale. I am going to swing by CBSS before I head home tonight. Enjoy your new ride.
Just talked to someone at Walden Surf. He looked up the board number. It's a custom board made in CA. Most likely shaped by Steve Walden around fall of last year.
Glad to hear that your investment paid for itself. You really can't go wrong with any Magic Model, but to have one from Steve is totally wall worthy. Don't ding it!
To be honest I was thinking the same thing but couldn't you let me feel good for a couple more hours ?
