Board Bazaar - June 2014
Welcome to this month's Board Bazaar. Apologies for the delay but I've been preparing my tax return, employing the odd spot of creative accounting to ensure a good refund. All so I can pump it back into the economy, you see, so no harm (or misdemeanour) done.
Once again it was a slow old month on the second hand market, and once again the bargains are there for those who are following it. This will be the last time I say it: If you're looking to start or expand your collection, now is the time to buy. Second hand boards are the cheapest they've been in years. So go on, spend your tax return. Pump it back into the economy. It's all part of the cycle of use and reuse.
And with that...
"The rocker of the board appears to be going down rather than up?" That's not a sentence to inspire confidence in a buyer. But it does generate curiousity. In the late 70s Simon Anderson put his name to Power Boards, molded plastic popouts that sold at Nock & Kirby hardwares. Power Boards had a tendency to split and bend so sold poorly, and if it wasn't for the three-finned thing that came later Anderson's name might've been forever entwined with them. The seller of this board started bidding at $160 on eBay and received no offers. Even in the afterlife Power Boards sell poorly.
Every buyer loves a naive seller; if only to give them a shot at a bargain. Surfboard length stated in centimetres is a red letter giveaway, so too are dubious references to providence and age. "I'm guessing it's a 70s board because its single fin," said the seller of this Shane Standard who immediately betrayed their fog of knowledge. Shane Standards were the original popouts, first made late 60s through to the early 70s. Originally stringerless this model would date around '72 as it has a stringer. The board is in great condition and a lucky punter scored it for just $250 - bargain!
And another bargain! This Rip Curl 5'10" single fin round tail was shaped by longtime Victorian board shaper Doug Rogers in the mid to late 70s. It's in very good condition, the worst features being a slightly worn tail and creme brulee colouring. It's a 35-year old board after all. The Curl logo alone should've been enough to drive the bidding up, however just one punter showed interest and he or she scored it for $300.
Gotta be honest, I'd never heard of Southerly Surfboards and very little is coming up in an online search. They're a bit of a mystery. Despite that this board, a 5'11" twin fin with wing and swallow, looks a sound purchase. There are no dings, barely even any heel marks on the deck. The orange tinted resin looks splendid and the design is a classic of the era. Four bidders took the sale to $265 and a lucky punter gets a well maintained mystery stick.
Unlike California, the Steve Lis fish never really gained traction here. The short, wide, and flat shapes tended to spin out in steep Australian waves. That didn't mean there weren't some local attempts at 'em, and here's a respectable version, shaped by Wayne Hutch for the oddly monikered Abalone Surfboards. The flying elephant from the cover of Osbisa's album Woyaya is a fine touch. That album came out in '71 which dates this stick to 1970 or so and near the leading edge of fish experimentation. It was offered at $300 but had no bids. Price aside it looks like a fun ride.
The model name 'Standard' was used by a few manufacturers in the early 70s, among them Shane (see aforementioned board) and Keyo Surfboards. It's hard to come across a Keyo in good condition and this one doesn't buck the trend with bad discolouration on the deck and some serious trauma on the bottom. A bottom reno could well be in order. While it could no longer be called in original condition it'll hide the unsightly blemishes. Four bidders took the price to a modest $135.50.
Jet Surfboards captured the 80s zeitgeist as much as any board label could. Coming from Byron Bay the boards were always bright, colourful, and futuristic, they simply looked fast. And of course they sounded fast too. This Peter Dewar shape is a classic mid 80s affair and appears in excellent condition. The owner has tried his luck selling it on eBay for months. Each time he sets a reserve at $900, and each time the sale closes without a bid. The way the market is I've got a feeling he may be waiting a while yet.
Not dissimilar to the Southerly twin fin shown above, this Nirvana twinny is also in great condition. Although not a huge name Nirvana could be considered, in surf break parlance, a regional classic. Been 'round forever and sponsored many talented Cenny Coast surfers during their formative years: the Faunce Brothers, Sanga, Glen Winton, even Ross Clarke-Jones rode one in Mad Wax. Being a classic shape in good condition it copped a bit of attention - 11 bids took it to $226.50. Still a good deal.
And here's the bargain story of the month. Otherwise known as "The bastard bought it for what..?!" While perusing a garage sale in sunny Port Lincoln, Shane Smith, otherwise known as Fredo, Ryder, and Barrington, cast his sleuthful eye over a board lying covered in a stretch cover, the only visible part the rounded pin tail. He unsheathed it to find a beautiful Col Smith Free Flight six channel singley. An absolute classic board. OK, I know what you're asking: "How much did he buy it for?" The bastard bought it for $20!
Before we go: In the comments of last months Board Bazaar a reader asked if anyone had ever heard of a shaper named Gary Mead. There was a board for sale shaped by Gary and the buyer wanted info. No information was forthcoming but the sale went ahead anyway. One week later I received an email from Dave Wilkinson of Queensland, he was the fella who asked the question and subsequently bought the board. The email contained pics of the reno Dave had done to the board and I'll include some of them here. The colour matching is spot on and the gloss coat polished to a light reflecting sheen. Check the larger version below - nice work.
Comments
There's a Dick Brewer labelled shortboard for sale up the road from me. Not real flash condition but not bad considering it's age, quite yellow but looks to be around early to mid-eighties. It's a thruster with glassed in fins.
I've tried googling but can't find much info on Brewer boards from that period as I thought that time coincided with the time he kind of fell off the radar with substance abuse problems.
Anybody got any idea about Brewer shortboards? Whether he had ghost shapers or licensed his name? $60, wonder if it's worth picking up?
Thought he was more noted for his big wave boards?
If it's got the old circular plumeria logo then just buy it. I would 'cos that logo is timeless. Brewer wasn't well known for shortboards more the refined Hawaiian guns, even though he dabbled in shortboards, longboards (mals), and windsurfers too. Also, his foggy years were the mid-70s when he fell off the radar due to smack.
Drew Kampion did a very comprehensive bio on him in TSJ that may answer some questions (ghost shapers? licenses?). Unfortunately I'm at home today so can't access the Swellnet Library.
Will do. I have to swing past there today so if I have the time I'll look at it in more detail.
The Swellnet Library ? Sounds official and very interesting. I'm a sucker for old magazines. I'll go to get something out of a rarely entered bit of storage space and next thing I know I've been caught in a Nostalgic Surf Mag tractor beam and hours of my life will be forfeit until DVT or the need for food / water brings me back to my senses.
The Swellnet Library occupies the last room in our office Blowin. It's a very august and majestic space, full of old world artifacts like whirring computer servers and bits and bobs from upgraded hard drives. The Library takes up one whole wall with complete volumes of The Surfers Journal (US and Oz), very nearly complete volumes of ASL and Tracks, plus good swathes of every other mag, not to mention books, videos, calendars, and assorted surfing bric-a-brac. It's the nearest thing to a wormhole, whole days can dissapear when you step over the threshold.
I am truly jealous. The single item I freak most over is surfing atlas 's . Even though the whole idea of them goes against every thing I believe in...I can't help but love them. Magazine issues that rank breaks included - damn them. Straight to the pool room.
Owl Chapman used to shape boards and put the little circular Brewer sticker on them, probably didn't have any of his own.
Buy it.....not much more than a carton of beer.
Good point Udo. Might pop in there today.
Keen to see that restoration article Stu, that Gary Mead board looks fantastic.
Few piccies when you get it Zen.
I worked at Keyos when they were doing those standards. They were blowing their own foam blanks close to the finished shape. Norm Fitzgerald would tidy them up before they were glassed. They had quite a few problems with the foam so that might account for a greater degree of discolouration than usual. By that time Danny was more into developing the Hobie Cat side of the business and board production was well down from earlier days. The real action was across the road at Shane's where Terry Fitz and Simon were getting started.
Some sweet boards in that loot.
I just started a Facebook group for Aussie Vintage surf collectors - there didn't seem to be a dedicated group for enthusiasts so if interested - drop by share some pics.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageSurf/
Good stuff Murf. I just visited and put in a request to join.
I wonder if that plastic board Simon did could be fixed with some heat & weights put on the deck so the rocker would go the correct way? hard to get the twist out of old fibreglass boards but fixing plastic may be easier? I'm not sure just a thought. Nice write up as usual Stu.
I thought about it AS, I'm sure all it would take is a couple of hours exposure in the summer sun. But then I thought better of it, space in the shed is currently at a premium.
In and out of a hot car.......until you get the desired rocker ?
the buy now price is $160.
Then store it in a cool dark place.
Well, I'm a numbnut. Went down just then to buy the Brewer and someone with obviously a keener eye than me, has snapped it up. Gone.
That's two I've let slip through my fingers. Last one was a Rawson handshape signed by the man himself and that went within an hour. This one lasted two days.
Next one that pops up I'm not even going to think about it.
And Stu, if I recall correctly, the Brewer did have the Plumeria logo. Sorry Udo, no pics.
Spewing! Maybe someone lurking on the forums nabbed it after your last posts!!
Loving this post, a bit "life flashing past your eyes" with some of the boards. Out of interest, does anyone have an idea on the second hand magazine market. I wouldn't be expecting heaps, but have a collection of SW from about 97 to 2012/13 (after Hugh and Bruce) and every little bit helps when a new board is needed!
I tried selling some a few years ago but didn't get anywhere near what I thought I might get. Im talking $10 to $20 per issue for 1984/85/86 Tracks. I ended up holding on to the rest and now I'm glad I did, every now and then I get lost in the "tractor beams" like Blow In says.
If by 97 you mean 1997 (and not issue 97) then I doubt you'll get much. Have a look at Ebay and see what they're going for.
Thanks Stan, yeah it is 1997 and I didn't think too much. I do agree with the appeal of looking back at them, especially as they're in the shed next to the beer fridge.
I'd say the same thing about mags. Unless you've got landmark issues - "We're Tops Now", "Bustin Down The Door", maybe even the "Tales of a Fucking Jew" - then you won't get much for them. Also, your mags are kinda recent so that further reduces the selling point. If you've got whole years then you might be able to package them into something respectable, though I'd be more inclined to leave them in the shed and turn on the tractor beams every now and again.
Take a look at where the legrope plug is in the orange twin fin, it's right near the centre of the board and almost in front of the flyer! You'd want to be a front foot surfer riding that board.
Jeez you're right, didn't notice that, severed toes anyone?
Look at how far forward the fins are too, must be about 2 feet forward from the tips of the swallow tail. It'd be a real fast whippy ride. Totally different than thrusters and even modern quads have the forward fins set much further back than that.
Zen ,these classic boards you keep missing out on , are they from a s/hand board shop or private seller ?
Also stop being a indecisive tight arse .....buy them when u see them.....don't want or like them - then re sell them .
Udo gets to the heart of the matter!
Japanese version of Cash Converters. It's called 'WonderRex'. And get this, they have a chain of video stores called 'WonderGoo'. The same company also has a car brokerage service called 'Goo Exchange'. The Jappies are really into their goo.
How dare you Udo- the reason why I don't buy them then and there is that I rarely carry more than $5 in my wallet (stops me overspending). Jeez, I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted. I'll have to take time to think about it maybe tonight, or tomorrow, or maybe I could just think about it now but I'm not sure, I'll have to check and get back to you. Or maybe I'll just forget about it all together, I can't decide.
Acerbic honesty my mum says !
not sure if I've asked this a few years/beers ago...bought a 5'5" Zappa twin fin swallow tail with my paper round money when 1c lollies still existed and you could feed a family at the fish n chip shop for about $15...paid $45 for it, and carried it through all my sharehouses, rentals, and still sits in the garage. pencil writing looks like 'dominic wilbrow'. Not really interested in selling, but if anyone knows the background-would love to know. Its got a sunburst looking orange haze, with a sort of feathered wing thing running lenghtwise...currently sits on racks in the pool room
That'd be Dominic 'Zappa' Wybrow. Originally from Bondi, a competitive peer to Joe Engel, Richard Cram. Moved to Queensland, shaped under Murray Bourton before launching his own Zappa label. Not sure what became of him later.
Based on Sunny coast these days not shaping, a little surfing.
Thanks Stu, its a beautiful looking spray ....and shape wise, sat next to a mates JS drop swallow, almost identical...Vee thru nose, to flat belly to what is now slight double concave thru fins(I think thats due to age and wear)...3 color glass fins....looks ace on the wall...unfortunatly I outweighed that board when I was about 16...if only I was 20Kg lighter!
Thanks too udo...If you know him, or at least chat...let him know that a beautiful piece of art that he created still gives joy to this day
Gary Mead shaped around Dudley in the 70s & 80s while Col Smith shaped down in Redhead around the same time.Still run into Meady every now and again though not shaping boards.Was a go to shaper if you were a Dudley local during this era.
Thanks Aldo apprieciate it
Cheers for the info Aldo.
Anyone have a Col Smith channel bottom board from that era ? post a pic if you have, I have never seen any for sale.
Were Col Smiths much different to ABs ?
EDIT- pic on board collector.
The 70s Aldo Godolfos.
I rode Smitty channels as a grom right threw to his death.He shaped from a little shed out the back of his mate Willies place in Redhead right threw to shaping for Egans and Free Flight.Shaped 6,8,10 channels,singles and tries as well as experimented with isometric and hydro tail boards.I have only one of his boards left that I worked out is over 30 years old.My son paddled past me on it in the surf the other day and it still goes like its new.Will try and get a picture on soon.PS.I nearly freaked when i seen him on it.
Hey Guys join us and show your vintage boards and see a load of sweet boards from AU and collectors around the world.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageSurf/
Hey Stu - a quick update from Vicco ! Since picking up the Maurice Cole Watercooled last month i have just scored another Watercooled, this time an 80,s 8ft gun shaped by Greg Brown in good condition - picked it up for $100 - no other bidders - should i feel guilty ?! [ it also came with a brand new legrope - seriously ??! ]
- also got an early 70,s Warren Partington single fin for $80 [ early Pt Leo brand - pre Trigger ] in rugged condition but will fix up ok - again, no other bidders !! Really enjoying searching for these niche Ebay gems that dont seem to be catching the attention of others...........
Hey Mal!
Possible to send a few shots of the Watercooled through to me? Plus any other info I'd need to know. I'd love to run it in next month's Board Bazaar.
My email is: [email protected]
I might be interested in the Warren Partington's board ... do you still have it, if so any pics ??
Ebay ; 7'2 Col Smith Newcastle channel bottom single fin copy won in a comp 1998 unwaxed unused, nice looking shooter and certainly well cured.
$1100 buy now price.
It was an amazing looking board though obviously not shaped by Col and I hadn't ever heard of the shaper (Cowie was it?). Think they'd be hard pressed to get $1,100 as AB channel bottoms are going for around the same price. But yeah, great looking board.
Yep he's dreaming on the price, never heard of Cowie either ,anyone else ?
Wayne "waxer" Cowie ?