Jackie Baxter Model
The Jackie Baxter Model is a mid/late 60s board that my dad shaped and designed for Jackie Baxter while at Vardeman Surfboards. It has all the hallmarks of a longboard attempting to transition into what (unbeknownst to dad & others at the time) would become the shortboard era: more progressive rocker, displacement, more foiled contours, rake fin and an overall sleeker outline than the type of board my dad began his career with. These features collectively represent much of my favorite period in surfing, which I passionately incorporate in my own design.
I was exposed to the Jackie Baxter Model at a young age (my dad had one on display in his shop), but it wasn’t until 2019 that I put one (a 10’0”) under my feet. I was instantly in love with the board. Its weight (comprised of heavier density foam, five cedar stringers and a heavier volan glass job) was a joy to swing around. Like a well-balanced sword. The fin, acting as the board’s hilt, worked in perfect balance with the tail shape and width creating a rail-to-rail sensation that I haven’t felt in too many other designs.
However, a particular Fall session at Morro Rock in chest to head high surf really turned me on the possibilities of the design. Noseriding, even with a 16 ½” nose, felt comfortable but what really surprised me was the board’s ability to hold through turns. I distinctly remember transitioning a dropknee cutback from a bottom turn into an oncoming section on a beefier Morro wave and being completely blown away that my board was handling so much speed and torque. I went to the drawing table after that session and began making templates that would define much of my approach to designing longboards. This laid the foundation for the mature Jones Shapes brand.
As mentioned, I’ve been particularly lured to the Baxter pintail and fin. I’ve been combining these with other templates to make new, unique designs. My Savoy and Sunriser models are two examples of longboards which I’ve adapted to combine different nose outlines, wide-points and bottom contours. The Savoy pairs a late 60s Yater nose curve with the back end of the Baxter and a wide point pulled 1.5” back from center. The result is a quick and responsive log that I’ve been able to enjoy in a wide variety of zippier waves. The Sunriser combines a more Takayama influence nose with the same fin and tail pair and a more centered wide point. It provides my board lineup with a more traditional approach to noseriding.
In addition to these models, I am also developing a mini-glideresque / elephant gun type design directly from the Baxter curves called the BXTR. The BXTR plays with the outline’s widths for a board that can be suitable as either a small glider for beach break conditions or even for larger surf. I shaped one of these in Portugal with several other shapers and was able to paddle it out a month later in some decent size in Guethary. Bottom contours of the BXTR feature a very mild vee through the tail.
I enjoy looking closely at older boards for inspiration. Plugging their features into contemporary concepts can make for some interesting results. The end of the 60s brought about the end of transition era longboards, like the Jackie Baxter Model. Boards became more “advanced”, more “progressive” and above all shorter. For me, much of my enjoyment in shaping and surfing comes from knowing that many of the qualities of these old boards are still relevant and applicable today. I’m beyond grateful to be of a lineage that connects me to it.
Photo: Leo Hetzel
