It Doesn't Not Work 

The process of surfcraft design is not one limited to the big machines of the surf industry, or solely belonging to the heralded masters of the craft, it is a living folk art on an equally democratic level. It is a continually evolving conversation between local craftsman and the sea and the creations that relationship spawns.

At an art gallery opening in the fall of 2013 Tyler Breuer, David Murphy and Toddy Stewart conspired to use Toddy’s Williamsburg gallery space, Picture Farm, as a meet-up for locally like-minded surfers. For five years Ty and Toddy would curate and host a special annual Atlantic Coast Mecca; a surf craft min-expo, exploring the process of the art & craft of surf-riding design, bringing together shapers, surfers and the generally curious to discuss, fondle and celebrate experimental shapes, work-in-progress projects and tried-and-true formulas.

Over the years a core cast of characters showed up time and again, bringing their latest designs or just toggle and drink the beer and cider, and an expanding group of cognoscente helped Ty and Toddy orchestrate some unforgettable weekends. The legendary Derek Hynd was our earliest celebrity supporter showing up in 2014 to present his finless boards. Board Porn’s Ron Schein would eventually join to offer PR support, while inspired local surfers Desiree Melendez and Christina Hu would join the team helping organize. David Yun’s WAX Magazine played a huge role in ‘15-’16-’17, designing and writing bespoke, experimental collector’s edition catalogues with eventual help from local ripper Johnny Knapp. In the event’s final iteration in 2018, The Rockaway Surfclub offered its hallowed halls for the event.

In the face of the closure of the Picture Farm Gallery in 2018 and the Covid shutdown in 2019 and 2020, IDNW eventually lost steam. But we remember a unique era of conversation and camaraderie, good times and good razzing that inspired a core, tight knit community of East Coast surfers.

It Doesn’t Not Work didn’t not work.