Ventana Western Flyer "Outside" Whistle
Free U.S. Shipping ... like everything from Ventana!
Artisanship
This small, wooden whistle is made from Douglas fir from the hull of the Western Flyer, considered by many to be the most famous fishing boat in the world. John Steinbeck, Ed "Doc" Ricketts and crew sailed this 77-foot sardine boat into the Sea of Cortez in Baja California, Mexico in 1940. The following year, Steinbeck published his book, The Log from the Sea of Cortez, about the adventure. Learn more about this amazing boat and Ventana's use of its wood.
Each whistle has one side on which we've kept the rough, outside edge of the hull. We do this by design to showcase the wood's provenance.
Responsibility
These reclaimed wooden whistles are handmade in Santa Cruz, California by Ventana's master artisan, Martijn Stiphout. They include a piece of 500lb paracord left over from the production of Khordz Handmade Mugs and a Ventana hang tag made from Honduras mahogany offcuts from Santa Cruz Guitar Company production.
We donate 5% of profits from the sale of these bookmarks to the Western Flyer Foundation.
Adventure
When a big set of waves begins forming "outside" the line-up, surfers will often whistle to each other to signal what's coming. This whistle pays homage to that tradition. And, if you're surfing and need a leash cord, use the included piece of paracord for exactly that purpose!