THE COMPANY:

Mike Walker began shaping surfboards in a 9'x9' garage in Northern Baja (Mexico), while finishing his last two years of high school in home study, during which time he would crank out two to three days of school work a day when it was flat so that he could surf all day when the waves picked up.

All that water time meant he was going through a lot of boards, so he started shaping his own. Learning by trial and error through every part of the process until after several boards his shapes began to work as well as the boards that he had purchased up in San Diego. Friends quickly started ordering their boards and word got out about Mike's shapes. By the time he finished his last month of high school, Mike already had a loyal crew of people asking for his custom shapes.

As a secondary means of expression, Mike also began designing and printing t-shirts and hats to advertise the Walker Surfboards brand. Soon thereafter, a demand for Walker Clothing began to build and eventually allowed for the expansion of the brand into other areas of the Action Sports Industry.

Thus, in 1999 - The Walker Project brand was born, a multi-genre brand collectively sold under the unique Walker flame icon that has become the cornerstone of all Walker marketing and branding. Surf, Motocross, BMX, Progressive Music and Promotional Events are all the foundation of The Walker Project.

From a humble beach-side garage in 1996, through several years working for some of the industry's largest brands and now in 2006, going 100% solo, The Walker Project is rapidly becoming know as one of the most respected, sought after brands in the Industry.

Attention to detail both in the quality of products and customer service has pushed sales to grow in the double digit range for the last six years in a row, word of mouth referrals being the strongest proponent of that growth. It is this passion for quality and setting a new standard in customer service that drives The Walker Project and all those involved forward.

Mike Walker sums it up best: "This is my art, my passion, my life."

THE DESIGNER:
 
Mike Walker's resume includes designing and shaping boards for some of the industry's biggest labels, such as, Rusty, Xanadu, Sharp Eye, Rawson, G&S, South Coast, Lightning Bolt, DHD-USA, Mike Hynson and Kane Garden. It is because of this experience and exposure to a vast variety of design concepts that Mike Walker is rapidly becoming known as one of the youngest, most progressive designers/shapers in the world today. His abilities have already been noted in several media outlets, including Surfer, Transworld Business, North County Times, Today's Local Newspaper, Carbon, Eastern Surf Magazine, Automatic, Waves Australia, Wakesurfing Magazine and several online articles and websites.

THE ARTIST:
 
While living in Mexico during his high school years, Mike Walker also began actively pursuing his life long passion for art. Working in a variety of mediums, he would spend his time learning new applications and experimenting with all facets of art and mixed media.

Now at the age of 28, Mike Walker has continued to develop an underground recognition as an artist. Specializing in oils, acrylics and mixed media creations, he has had the opportunity to hold several public showings throughout Southern California at a variety of art exhibitions. Although business keeps him pretty busy, he still completes about one or two new pieces every month for both private collections and commissioned works.