Esther Williams’ Paipo Board
Circa 1930s-1940s
length: 4’2”
nose: 18”
wide spot: 17-3/4
tail: 15”
thickness: 3/4”
weight: 10 lbs.
shaper: unknown
The paipo board was meant for belly boarding waves, and this paipo belonged to one of the 20th Century’s most famous water women – Esther Williams. This board is from her personal collection, but she also put her name on a line of paipo boards that were popular in the 1940s. Williams continued to use her paipo even as she became a huge movie star. Although faded, you can still see the “Esther” on the nose — along with the remarkable similarity to the board in the studio portrait above.
Donated to CSM by Dan Pincetich Collection.
The Esther Willams' Story
