A deep dive into the collaboration between Torren Martyn and Simon Jones, highlighting their innovative approach to the design of the “Calypte” surfboard.
Earlier this year, I attended a screening at Bird’s Surf Shed for Kelly Foote’s film, The Ugly Duckling. The documentary chronicles the journey of surfers Torren Martyn and Simon Jones as they developed their latest creation, the “Calypte” surfboard. The board’s name is a tribute to the boat that Torren and his partner, Aiyana, sailed across Indonesia—a voyage documented in their feature film.
As it was Torren and Aiyana’s first major sailing expedition, they invited some seasoned friends along for the ride, including filmmaker Kelly Foote. During the trip, Foote became fascinated by a peculiar surfboard among the collection—a model that was notably different from the usual designs Torren and Simon are known for. This board would later be dubbed “the ugly duckling.” The film has since been made available to the public, offering an insightful look into the creative process behind the board’s design.
Throughout their year-long journey, Torren provided regular feedback to Simon, who refined the original design. What began as an unconventional, odd-looking board soon evolved into a more polished and functional model. The inspiration for the Calypte came from seeing Trevor Gordon shred Rincon on a self-shaped twin fin that was both compact and electric. Upon testing the first prototype designed by Simon, Torren quickly found it to perform beautifully on the diverse, dream-like waves of Indonesia.
While Torren Martyn is primarily known for his smooth, drawn-out lines and deep carves on mid-length boards, his approach to surfing the powerful waves of Indo is far more vertical. “I had mostly been riding boards in the 6′ range, like this 6’8″ Fiji I really love,” Torren explained. “This board, the ugly duckling, is essentially that design, just scaled down.”
Both The Ugly Duckling and Calypte films serve as a reminder that Torren’s surfing style is not confined to mellow, long, drawn-out turns. He can, and does, take his surfing vertical, effortlessly throwing spray and executing powerful maneuvers. If you haven’t yet seen Calypte, it’s highly recommended for anyone who appreciates smooth, progressive surfing.
For those in the U.S. interested in purchasing a Calypte or any other Simon Jones model, our friends at SurfBored can help.
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