Every Surfing community has it’s originators and it’s icons. In the the Pensacola community, Brian Waters is one such Icon. For many of us who grew up surfing in the Pensacola area, Brian Waters surfboard label islander would be one of the first surfboards we might purchase. Hanging out at the islander factory and watching the craftsmanship that went on there were inspirations for many Pensacola locals such as like Steve Forstall or Rick Bullock who would both go on to become master surfboard craftsmen themselves with their own loyal following. If you ask Steve Forstall today he will tell you he still uses techniques Brian taught him back in 70’s. In another interview we did with Rick Bullock he stated much the same influence. This interview was conducted on a 7 million dollar Yacht Brian not only captains… but had a hand in designing.

For those who know Brian… he is a soft spoken, highly intelligent man who chooses his words and allows the results of his work to speak for itself. All the things a community would like to have in it’s Icons. Brian’s family also owned one of the first surf shops in the Pensacola area and his mother and father were like parents to many of the surfers who frequented the Hardware store and surf shop. His sister Janet is still involved in the surf side of the business today.