Teresa Gamboa (nicknamed Tee or T-Styx) of Redondo Seaside, CA is greatest identified for being a surfboard glasser (making use of fibreglass and resin to a surfboard and including “lams” or laminates through the glassing course of to differentiate the design) at E.T. Surfboards at 904 Aviation Blvd, Hermosa Seaside. And whereas she was a stable surfer, Teresa may additionally maintain her personal as a skateboarder.
There’s a photograph of Teresa within the Walla Walla Union Bulletin newspaper from April 7, 1978, exhibiting her kick-turning on a ramp. The caption reads, “Teresa Gamboa, 20, of Redondo Seaside, Calif., skates down a skateboarding ramp right here lately. Many sidewalk surfers are sustaining their newbie standing in case skateboarding turns into an Olympic occasion. Gamboa was in Walla Walla to assist promote a skateboarding contest.”
I used to be despatched the photograph from a follower on Instagram who was particularly inquisitive about Teresa’s connection to Gambi’s Mexican restaurant on Ninth Avenue in Walla Walla, that additionally acted as an area skateboard store. Walla Walla is nowhere close to Redondo Seaside, so maybe “Gambi’s” was an abbreviation of Gamboa, and the restaurant was owned by a member of the family? There’s point out in a single advert that “Cha-Cha’s Again! And the skateboard store is now open.” Probably linked to Teresa’s brother, Arthur “Cha Cha” Gamboa? Primarily based on some promo for Gambi’s, the skate contest was assistance on July 1st 1978 at Yantis Park.
I’m hoping that Teresa can make clear!
Browsing evidently took over for Teresa. On her Fb web page, she mentioned that she bought her first Surfer journal (Quantity 13, No. 5) in January 1972. “I used to be in 8th grade. Each web page worn out. This magazine modified my life.” And, solely three years later, she made her first board in 1975.
E.T. Surfboards was opened in 1971 by Eddie Talbot and Pat “Gumby” Ryan, and Teresa mentioned that her first job there was filling catalyst bottles. “The surfboards have been constructed at Sakels home by the Galleria mall. I transported boards within the household station wagon. Principally Jarvis labored retail (he was only a child) Pat and Bob M formed. Billy R and Kevin began on the second store. I began retail at 2nd retailer. It was getting busy and Eddie wanted assist. I used to be there. Eddie labored 7 days per week for years!! George got here on and Billy went lifeguarding full time. Dave Forrest began working. The manufacturing facility moved to the again rooms of the 2nd store. All of us have been board builders…Lengthy story brief” (Might 18, 2023).
Teresa acquired reward from the legendary skateboarder, Skip Engblom of Santa Monica Airways (SMA) who mentioned she was the primary girl glasser that he ever met, and Cindy Whitehead additionally sang her reward:
“You’re a trailblazer, Teresa!! Proud to know you all these years – you made me conscious that as women/ladies we may do something we wished and set our sights on!!” (March 15, 2024).
To the entire E.T. crew Cindy mentioned, “Love you all!! Finest a part of my youth was being sponsored by ET and figuring out all of you” (Might 28, 2024). Cindy reported that her grandma used to take her to ET surfshop to buy gear, and he or she simply cherished the scene and the employees. The store reciprocated by carrying the Lady is NOT a 4 Letter Phrase skateboard, which is the corporate / motion that Cindy runs.
Teresa is now retired and one very cool grandma!
*Particular because of @worse_arms for sending the information clippings