Byrne, Phil (1952 – )

Accomplished and persevering surfboard shaper from Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; cofounder of Byrne Surfboards, best known as the primary boardmaker for two-time world champion Tom Carroll.

Byrne was born (1952) and raised in Wollongong, began surfing at age 12 and shaping surfboards five years later. He continued making boards while earning a BA in Commerce from the University of New South Wales; in 1975 he and younger brother Dave—an accomplished surfer in his own right who also ...