To those involved in surfing culture, Johnny Manetta and Tris Surfboards are legendary. This is the inspirational story of one ordinary man’s extraordinary life from surfing all around the world, for more than fifty years to building his beautiful home in Cornwall.

Born in London, far from the ocean, Johnny was a Mod. As advocated by Jimmy, The Who’s protagonist in Quadrophenia, Johnny did want to be someone, he did jump in the sea and he never looked back.

This is the inspirational story of one ordinary man’s extraordinary life from surfing the Badlands, and all around the world, for more than fifty years, to building his beautiful home in a secluded Cornish valley and the many wild escapades along the way.

Johnny Manetta, legendary surfboard builder of the famous Tris Surfboards, surfer, traveller, and surf shop owner, published his first novel, Looking for Something to Find, the story of surfing in Cornwall never before told as it really happened.

In his personal tales, Johnny shares his humour, philosophy and spirit – something that has brought him to where he is today. Looking For Something To Find is an honest, inspiring and entertaining biography, profiling the life of Johnny Manetta, whose stories span from the Sixties through to the present day. Readers of the book are taken on a historical journey of his life, first as a Mod in London, to hippy surfer in the mythical Badlands, to an avid traveller and unique eco home builder, building a house worthy of a Grand Designs accolade in a beautiful Cornish valley.

The beautiful hardback edition of Looking For Something To Find weaves a tapestry of unforgettable stories, illustrated with some rare photographs. The surfer’s tales reveal the power of the human spirit and a celebration of values and relationships that underwrite his rich, meaningful, well-spent life. Little did we know that we were contributing to a cultural heritage that sprung Cornwall from a post-industrial waste landscape, scarred by mining, to a beach culture based around surfing, not as a sport
but as a lifestyle.

Johnny Manetta has been riding the waves since the Sixties. He still surfs and owns one of the longest-running surf shops in Europe, located in Porthtowan. Looking for Something To Find is more than another book of surfers tales; Johnny’s stories will motivate all readers with his wit and prose.