About Ricky Carroll
In 1973 13 year old, Ricky Carroll, shaped his first surfboard. With a preternatural understanding of board building, he then began what would be a lifetime development of craft and passion.
By the age of 15, Carroll qualified for the ESA Championship and turned pro in 1983. Carroll competed in US and Caribbean pro surfing events for a stretch of seven years and followed that with competing on the ASP Longboard Pro Circuit for a number of years.
During his time as a pro, Carroll continued shaping and building surfboards for Natural Art Pro Shapes, Sea Shapes, Island Surfboards and Local Motion until opening his own factory in Rockledge, FL along with a retail store in Satellite Beach. Over time Ricky built his brand, RC Surfboards, into an iconic East Coast name. Today he continues to manufacture under his name brand, but also as a licensee for Takayama Surfboards, Local Motion Surfboards and Justin Quintal’s Black Rose Surfboards. Carroll has shaped for many top pros including C.J. Hobgood (2001 ASP World Champion, ECSHOF 2022), Bonga Perkins, Danny Melhado (OP Pro Junior champ and 3X ASP East Champ), Damien Hobgood (ECSHOF 2020), Cheyne Horan, Justin Quintal (2019 WSL Longboard World Champion), Connie Arias, Daisy Nerida Valdez (PHI), Larry Bertelmann, Buttons Kaluhiokalani and many other stars in the sport.
In 2007 Carroll won the inaugural Reef Board Build off competition at Surf Expo in Orlando Florida. Later in 2007 he won the inaugural “Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off” at the Sacred Craft Surf Show in San Diego and won the same title again in 2008 and in 2012 as well as winning the inaugural “Block of Foam Challenge” at the Boardroom Show at Surf Expo in 2018. Carroll is now the host and lead judge at the “Florida Shape-Off” held annually at the Surf Expo Trade Show in Orlando. Carroll believes in giving back to the sport that has given him so much. Through the years he has supported numerous organizations and charity events with funding, time and sponsorships including the ESA, Surfrider Foundation, local schools and a myriad of other events. This past January, Ricky was inducted into the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Class of 2024 in the legends category at the hall’s 15th annual induction ceremony during the Surf Expo’s annual industry event in Orlando.
Coverage of the “ 2012 Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off “
Coverage of the ” 2008 Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off “
Coverage of the ” 2007 Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off “
Coverage of the “ 2007 Florida Board Build Off ”