Mike Eaton

Mike Eaton

Mike Eaton started surfing in 1949. He started shaping in 1956 with Jack O’Neil. In 1958, 59, 60 he worked at Marineland of the Pacific in Palos Verdes as a porpoise and whale trainer. He worked for a very short time on the television series Sea Hunt as a diving tech. He moved to San Diego from Los Angeles in 1972. He shaped very little through the 60’s as he started building boats. During 1960 through 1966 he built 12’, 14’, 18’ and up to 46’ catamarans. Bing Copeland used to be Mikes mailman and would poke his head in from time to time to see what Mike was up to. After Bing started his factory, Mike started shaping for him in 1966. Mike built his first paddleboard in 1968. Mike would shaped for Bing until the company was sold to G & S in 1972. He continued to work for G & S until 1978 when he started his own company, Eaton Surfboards. In 1983 he and Bing started up again and Mike continued to shape for Bing until 2003.

He now devotes all of his time to building custom Eaton Surf and Paddleboards. He has flown gliders for 35 years and has had a love for hot rods for many years. He is married to Marianne and has 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grand children.

For more info on Mike Eaton, please visit www.eatonsurf.com.