Spyder Boards is a legendary name in the South Bay surf scene, and its founder, Dennis Jarvis, is at the heart of that story. A former professional surfer in the 1970s and early 1980s, Jarvis grew up surrounded by the vibrant beach culture of Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. After a strong competitive career, he shifted his focus to shaping surfboards, learning from some of the best in the business before founding Spyder Surfboards in 1978. His vision was to create custom, high-performance boards tuned to both the demands of professional surfers and the waves of Southern California.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Spyder Surfboards built a loyal following. Jarvis’s boards were known for their precision and quality, and he worked directly with top surfers like Rob Machado and Tim Curran. Spyder became synonymous with innovation and authenticity, helping to solidify the South Bay’s reputation as a global hub for surf culture. Spyder wasn’t just about boards either — the brand expanded into surf shops and apparel, with the Spyder Surf Shops in Hermosa Beach becoming key community landmarks where surfers, skaters, and beachgoers gathered.
One of the more interesting chapters in Dennis Jarvis’s career came when Hollywood came calling. In the late 1980s, Jarvis was brought in to help with the surf scenes for the 1991 cult classic Point Break, starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves. Jarvis coached both actors on how to look authentic on a board — no small task considering neither star was an experienced surfer at the time. He even shaped custom boards used in the film, ensuring that the surfing portrayed on-screen looked as real as possible to hardcore surf audiences. Jarvis’s involvement helped give Point Break its iconic credibility and contributed to the film’s lasting influence in both surf culture and pop culture at large.
Today, Dennis Jarvis and Spyder Surf continue to be a cornerstone of South Bay surf life. Despite the ups and downs of the surf industry, Jarvis has kept Spyder true to its roots: focused on craftsmanship, community, and a deep love of the ocean.