Michael Lisiewski / South Jersey

As the son of NJ surf pioneer Richard Lisiewski, Mike preserves a part of the NJ surf heritage. You can see his collection in his Surf shop and in the New Jersey Surf Museum at Tuckerton Seaport. He runs the Brighton Beach Surf Shop, MATADOR Surfboards and trades vintage surfboards and collectibles too.

Who are you? Where are you living?
Michael Lisiewski, owner of MATADOR Surfboards and Brighton Beach Surf Shop, South Jersey, Long Beach Island Area.

When and how did you start collecting?
I grew up in the surfing business but I can say I really started collecting in the late 80s.

Which was the first board of your collection?
Caster.

How many boards do you have?
I buy and sell constantly but right now I probably have about 250 vintage boards.

Which is now your most preferred board?
Impossible to answer, personally I collect boards for the shape – template, rail, innovation – it inspires me when designing our MATADOR models or to reproduce something from someone’s past.

Are you surfing your vintage boards?
Yes, love them! I prefer 60s HANSENS and WEBERS.

Which one do you like to surf most?
Probably WEBER PERFORMER.

Who is your favorite surfer from the 60^’s-90^’s and why?
I’m most intrigued by Miki Dora.

Who is your favorite shaper from the 60^’s-90^’s and why?
Bill Caster, I rode so many as a kid.

Where can we see your boards?
New Jersey Surf Museum at Tuckerton Seaport has about 50 and Brighton Beach Surf shop has a lot and online at the shop.

Last words:
The past holds so many keys to the future, the old boards are like works of art, better than a famous painting to me.

Instagram: brightonbeachsurfshop
Facebook:  brightonbeachsurfshop
Webpage: brightonbeachsurfshop.com
Address (if open to visitors):  Brighton Beach Surf Shop – 8511 s Long Beach Boulevard – Long Beach NJ 08008