AMERICAN SURF RETAIL
Catalyst at Basham's out of San Clemente, CA
If you want to shape your own surfboard, you’re in for an uphill battle. In Australia, you’d be hard pressed to find somewhere to even buy a blank, let alone rustle up the resin, fibreglass and necessary tools without driving across half the country or finding specialist suppliers online.
In San Clemente, you just go to Catalyst at Bashham’s. The place is a surf hardware nerd’s dream.
Built by Matt ‘Mayhem’ Biolos, the factory and shop pays tribute to one of the OG legends in California, Brad Basham, who helped foster the San Clemente surfboard manufacturing industry. The guy basically bank-rolled a bunch of crew by giving them lines of credit for materials, and provided the tools and know-how to get things done. After Brad died suddenly in 2022, Mayhem came up with the concept to celebrate his legacy and refurbed the original Basham’s factory into something truly iconic.
The place has glitter-finished Mark Richards twin-fins on the walls, is filled with the aroma of resin, has working shaping bays and CMC shaping machines plus, most importantly, has stock of every piece of kit you’d ever need to build your own surfboard (except talent).
If you’re not the DIY type, there also happen to be more ready-made …Lost Surfboards than you can poke a planer at, as well as leashes, traction, and fins from all the leading brands. As well as O'Neill wetsuits, and a tasty selection of ...lost and store merch. There’s even a coffee shop in the front corner for those who want to soak up vibes along with their caffeine. You might even see one Mayhem’s world-beating pro teamriders coming in to pick up their quivers.
Well worth a visit if you love surfing and happen to be in California. Better than Disneyland without the lines.
You find Catalyst at Basham’s at: 213 Calle de Los Molinos, San Clemente, CA 92672. Open 9am-7pm everyday.
