Anyone who surfs can tell you that getting into the nitty gritty nuances of choosing a board is half of the appeal. From the shape, size, and fin setup down to the simple and pure aesthetics, it's easy to go down a deep rabbit hole when it comes to board research. Doing so, you'll soon find that the bulk of the surfboard industry exists on the West Coast, and with California's undeniable influence on surf culture, it's easy to see why. Nevertheless, in a tiny corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, Aaron and Drew Austin are looking to make their mark on the East Coast with their board shaping studio Kings Glassing.
Though surfing and New York may seem like an odd match to some, surf culture has existed in the Rockaways—and Montuak, further out on the tip of Long Island—for decades. And in recent years, it's blown up. But unlike the many fighting foamies in knee high summer waves, the founders of Kings Glassing aren't new to this.
Raised on Maui, Aaron and Drew grew up surfing. They were quickly indoctrinated into the culture and both began riding big waves at a young age, cultivating a lifestyle that revolved around the sport. After finishing college, Aaron left Hawaii and went on to study photography in Paris before opening his own photo practice in New York.