Started in 1999 by master shapers Joe Virgilio and George Gall, Plus One Surfboards combines years of board building experience with a State-of-the-Art facility to bring you high-performance surfboards for high-performance surfing.
The love for our craft, our experience traveling the world and the relationships we have established with our local rippers and touring pros has given us the opportunity to test and refine our design concepts and construction techniques, setting the standard when it comes to performance and functionality.
Every Plus One is built from start to finish inside of our San Diego factory using the highest quality materials by experienced craftsmen who are dedicated to our cause. Our primary goal is to design and build a product which will exceed your expectations in terms of quality and keep you coming back for more. Our company is built on relationships, dedication, hard work, and an insatiable love for the ocean. We invite you to please join the Plus One family and enjoy the ride.
Peace
Joe & George
Joe Virgilio
I feel blessed everyday for so many reasons. I have an amazing wife, two beautiful children, and big warm Italian family that get together every Sunday for some wine, pasta and story. I also have a job that I absolutely love. Since the very first time George (Gall) walked me through my very first shape I knew there was no turning back. The feel of translating your thoughts through your hands into a foam blank is not only challenging but intoxicating as well. My life-long love for the ocean, surfing and building things was a natural precursor to my desire to become a Master Shaper. Building boards has given me an amazing opportunity to meet and work with interesting people from all over the world. Whether you are a touring pro or a weekend warrior, everyone has a different need from their equipment and no one is more important then the other. I promise to you that no matter of who you are, the same amount of love, dedication and craftsmanship will go into your board. It does not matter how dusty I get, how much resin I have to pull out of my leg hair, or how itchy I get from fiberglass dust you can NOT, even with a rag soaked in acetone, wipe the smile off my face when I see someone enjoying themselves on something that I built. That is why I love this job. Thanks for giving George and I the opportunity to share our stoke with you.
Peace
Joey V.
George Gall
My family has lived near the ocean for generations. On my Father’s side, we’ve had a presence in Coastal San Diego since the early-1880’s. Our love for the ocean, of being on and in the water, allowed us to enjoy things like skin-diving, fishing and surfing in a pristine setting. All these fun things, and more, were what I grew up doing. Two of the most fun things I had a true passion for were surfing and making surfboards. I am a third-generation surfer and also a third-generation surfboard builder. The only difference between what my Grandfather, Father, and Uncle did making surfboards, is that I’ve been fortunate enough to have my “avocation become my vocation.” I’ve had different kinds of jobs, from working as a Mechanical Engineer in the U.S. Space Program, to teaching at-risk high school kids in tough neighborhoods, and still, after coming home from work, I’d always found time to shape boards. If I could just shape for the pure love of it, I would, in fact, I DID! Ha! Ha! Designing and making surfboards is hard work, but the big attraction for me is the same as it is for surfing in general: I love the people! Surfers are total characters: they know the rhythms of the earth and sea, know the elation of getting that great ride, yet are always getting humbled, love to travel, and they so creatively finagle time to surf. These surfers DEDICATE their lives to surfing, and are always in search of that perfect board. And when surfers want that board, I get so stoked that they come to me. I found the big pleasure for them is that I listen to them, they get what they want, and I am always more than willing to work with them to find “that board.” It is so cool when a loyal customer introduces me to their friends, “This is my shaper…” I love that!