Go-Fund-Me Page Set Up for ACE – OB’s Iconic Hometown Surfboard Maker – After Fire Destroys His Garage

Screen grab of garage fire from abc10.

Albert C Elliott has been making surfboards for decades in Ocean Beach.

Albert – known as ACE – has carried on the old, classic OB tradition of making surfboards in the back shed or garage. In ACE’s case, he has been making them in his detached garage in the back of the old house on Froude Street he and his wife, Mindy, have owned for many years.

And in truth, ACE has become a sort-of iconic OB legend. Many people have bought his boards over time. The 70 old-year local has been handling his camera more often than his surfboard these days – and the OB Rag has published many of his photos.

Trouble is – yesterday – August 6 – his entire garage burnt down. Along with all his personal surfboards and those he wanted to sell. And all his tools were destroyed as well.

Albert blamed the cause of the fire on his electric bike charger overheating – and even despite his efforts to put it out, the fire spread to the surfboards. Ever seen a surfboard burn? They do, easily. Some of the chemicals used in making and shaping boards exploded and burned up in the fire, prompting a hazmat crew response.

The flames engulfed the garage – this was around 5pm – but luckily only very slightly damaged the main house; it also damaged a fence line and a neighbor’s garage. But Albert and Mindy’s camper truck – his “get away vehicle” – was also destroyed. Yet he and Mindy were physically unscathed and all their pets, a couple of dogs, a cat and a bird were safe. And their house with all their personal possessions and photos and keepsakes still remains.

In the end, ACE lost nearly two dozen boards, equipment and templates. One estimate was $100,000 of loss. Understandably, he was devastated. He told the media:

“For me, the loss is a life’s work as far as making surfboards. All the reasons I get up in the morning are gone. At my age, I’m an old beach guy, that’s all I had left.”

As Albert lamented the loss of all his boards, a friend who had showed up to give support along with a bunch of others, told him, “yeah, but your boards are out there, your legend is out there,” he said with a sweep of his hand.

More and more neighbors and friends came by. One guy said he’d just ordered a pizza. Another neighbor offered them his RV to stay in. The parents of the best friend of Mara – Albert and Mindy’s daughter – came by. A man with a baseball cap announced a “Go-Fund-Me” page had just been set up.

And so we post it here:

Albert Elliot shaper of ACE SURFBOARDS has lost everything! His shaping room has caught on fire and has lost all of his amazing work dating back 50 years. We need to pull together in OB as well as surf community and help our brother out! GO-FUND-ME PAGE FOR ACE.

[As of this posting, over $2,000 has been raised in 15 hours.]