George Downing himself is the history of big wave riding.

He is considered the greatest big wave surfer ever by many surfing journalists and big wave surfers of today.

Born in 1930 George started challenging the big waves of Makaha in the 40’s. In pioneering large surf George immediately recognized the need for specialized equipment and subsequently became a renowned shaper who created the first “gun” surfboards used for big waves.

For the past 6 decades George Downing has continued to shape and design boards with revolutionary ideas for both small and large surf.

George’s oldest son Keone is also a famous big waver like his father.

George was asked if surfing and surfing big waves is genetic? “I never forced my son to surf. I had been working as a beachboy in Waikiki for a long time and saw lots of tourists forcing their children to surf and I didn’t’ like it. The only thing I did was to give them some tools. They learned by watching me ride big waves and wanted to do the same. We are just an ordinary family, the ocean and surfing is a part of our life.”

The elder son of surfing legend George Downing, Keone learned to surf at the age of five around the gentle waters of Waikiki and soon matured into a young champion.

He twice won the junior division and the open division of the Makaha international contest and at the age of sixteen competed in the open division of the 1970 world contest at Bells Beach Australia, where he placed fifth in a field that included all the heroes of the day: Reno Abeulling, Nat Young, Midget Farrelly, and Rolf Aurness.

He carried his father’s all around watermanship into outrigger canoe paddle racing, playing a part in five Molokai to Oahu race winning teams through the 1980’s. Then came January 1990, the Quiksilver in memory of Eddie Aikau. Keone’s win in arguably the most dramatic ever Eddie still stands as a classic and the highlight of his professional career.

Now 53, Keone devotes most of his time shaping and running his family surf business Downing Hawaii.

The legendary Downing family joins South Point in 2008 with six incredible boards.

The range features two “Slippah” shortboards, three mid-sized “Mini-Hune”, and the 9'4" George Downing signature model.

SLIPPAH    MINI HUNE    LONGBOARD