Meet Your Shaper: Clint Runyon

At the heart of every great surfboard lies not just skill, but a story. And few stories are as uniquely inspiring as the one behind Runyon Surfboards. The man behind the boards, a Marine Corps veteran, dedicated father, and passionate surfboard shaper, has crafted not just surfcraft, but a life defined by adventure, service, and a deep commitment to his community.  Meet Clint Runyon.  

Growing up in the rugged mountains of Oregon, he wasn’t always close to the ocean, but his childhood was filled with the same spirit of freedom that surfing embodies. From biking and skateboarding to snowboarding, he was always chasing that next thrill. It wasn’t until the early 90s when his service in the Marine Corps took him to Southern California that he truly “found” surfing. The ocean and its waves became his next obsession, a relationship that would change his life forever.

In the early 2000s, life took him to South Carolina, where surfing was a much rarer, fickle pursuit. The waves of Hunting Island demanded a different kind of board than what he had grown accustomed to in SoCal. This was the beginning of his journey into shaping his own surfboards. With little to no formal instruction and a lack of surfboard shapers to learn from, he began the process of teaching himself to craft boards. It wasn’t easy, and there were plenty of mistakes along the way—his first few boards were far from perfect. But each failure was a step toward mastery, and he persevered, even going so far as to strip the glass off his very first board in a bid to rebuild it.

Over the years, as the military took him on more moves across the world, his skills grew. Whether stationed in places like South Carolina, Japan, or North Carolina, he continued to shape and refine his boards. The turning point came in 2013 when he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan—a wave-rich location with access to better shaping materials. This opportunity allowed him to focus seriously on shaping, finally dedicating himself to the craft he had come to love.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2020, he decided to turn his passion into a full-time commitment. Now based in Eastern North Carolina, he has devoted himself not only to his family, Church, and fellow veterans but also to creating the highest-quality, handcrafted surfboards possible. Through his company, Runyon Surfboards, he aims to provide surfboards that are not only beautifully designed but fully customized to meet the individual needs and desires of every customer.

But Runyon Surfboards is more than just a surfboard business. As a veteran, Clint has a deep connection to his fellow service members, particularly those who have been wounded or disabled. He’s made it his mission to support veterans, offering a helping hand wherever he can. And when it comes to surfboards, his philosophy is clear: it’s about people, not machines. Surfing, like life, is about relationships. And when you choose a board from Runyon Surfboards, you’re not just getting a top-tier, handcrafted surfboard—you’re building a relationship with someone who cares deeply about your experience in the water.

So, whether you’re a seasoned surfer or just starting out, Runyon Surfboards offers more than just surfboards—they offer a connection to the ocean, the community, and a man who understands the value of both craftsmanship and camaraderie.