Brett Prinz Owner Of Crowd Control Surf Co

Palm Beach, Florida 33407

Story/Photos By SurfGuru and Crowd Control Surf Co

As a young punk growing up in Juno Beach, Fl. back in the 70’s, I Skated, Biked, and Surfed nearly every day. My BMX skills won me trophy’s and got me to semi-pro level at a young age, the skate scene that I participated in was super aggressive and made a mark in that sport as well. The heat always kept me in the salt water though. I must have surfed every board shape made. If I didn’t have one, my friends did. I started surfing in 1975, when singles were becoming twins and pins became thruster-squash. Having been raised by my mom in a lower income family, yet artistic home, my quiver consisted of primarily used and repaired boards. My favorite back then though was a 6’2” from a well known north Florida shaper. Fortunately, having surfed literally 100’s board types and styles, I knew what worked and why.

I started to travel, seeking the perfect wave, as a teen. Costa Rica, Nicaragua, California, New York, Rhode Island, Maine, North Carolina, and all over my home state Florida. From steep reef peelers to sand rock shore brakes, I was immersed in the salt water surf culture. South Florida has a wave to offer everyone. We get Mush, Slop, Chop, Low and High pressure Swells, Boat wake and Massive Hurricane Mayhem. Juno beach, Reef Road and Pump House on Singer Island, Fl. were my testing facilities.

The name Crowd Control was born on a day of a predicted large north swell back in the mid 80’s. The night before my board was in the middle of a quick nose repair in which I hung my board from the leash and simply dunked the nose of it into a cone shaped water cup of resin and let it dry. That following day the Surf was up and I had no time to sand it down so I tore the paper off and left what looked like a spear head, My buddy saw the board and laughed “Now that’s what I call Crowd Control!” Thus was born Crowd Control. I never did sand down that tip and coincidently was in 2 car accidents and spearing through a windshield in one incident . That board survived both accidents!

I was fortunate to have mentors that developed my sense for materials and processes. I grew up working along side of boat builders, fiberglass pros, wood workers, metal fabricators, carpenters and artists.

With these technical principals such as mixing resin, increasing hull strength, manipulating materials, converged with my knowledge of board design, and wave conditions. I was able to develop ideas that I surf and suggest to this day. My fascination with form and artistic placement was a direct influence of my mom, grandma, and uncle all of which have made their living from their artistic gift. My desire was for the surf community to go beyond the logo and focus back into the “Art of Shaping.” I felt it was my time to grind. My local shaping idols were Doug Soveril, Skull Frog, and Eric Rumner, I watched and learned the industry techniques. Eventually, I was confident enough to invest in the materials, and I got my first blank in 1997. I have been shaping ever since, 1 board at a time, each with a unique artistic twist. Making Custom Sticks is my game. If I know your weight, height, skill level, and expectations, I can make you a “Magic Stick.” I can also replicate any “favorite board” that may be to worn out to ride anymore.

My boards are one of a kind, a history of experience that can only be told in a story. I would never claim my style to be the best however, my boards fly and, are affordable, built to shred, and can be hung on the wall with artistic world class craftsmanship. Hand shaped, airbrushed, glassed, and sanded, under 1 roof.


Brett Prinz

Crowd Control Surf Co.
6687 42nd ter. N unit B
Riviera Beach Fl 33407
PH. 561-723-8039
www.crowdcontrolsurfco.com/

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