Starting Workshops, Starting an Industry
Saturday 25/10 6
An extract from the soon-to-be-released-book 'Surfing Places, Surfboard Makers'. This chapter examines the development of the surfboard industry, focusing largely on the Australian context.
The Rearview Mirror
When Nat Young met Gough Whitlam
Tuesday 21/10 45
It's 1974. Don's Party is in full swing, Vietnam is a quagmire, and political activism is rife. Nat Young places third in the Coca-Cola Surfabout, donates his prizemoney to Gough Whitlam, and secures a meeting with the great man.
Board Bazaar - September 2014
Monday 20/10 17
A board shaped for Curren, a board shaped for Cowshit, and a board shaped by Doris! Yes, it's the September Board Bazaar, running late as all good things should.
Board Bazaar - August 2014
Wednesday 10/09 61
A fluoro Town & Country, a Tom Parrish gun with lightning bolt, and an MR twinny that sold for over a grand, they're all in this month's Board Bazaar.
Board Bazaar - July 2014
Tuesday 12/08 31
An immaculate Lazor Zap, an untouched Energy Thruster, and a surfboard collector on a mission from God. Welcome to the July instalment of the Board Bazaar.
Board Bazaar - June 2014
Wednesday 09/07 47
A Simon Anderson surfboard with a reverse rocker, an Aussie version of a Lis Fish, and a number of regional classics. Welcome to the June Board Bazaar.
Board Bazaar - May 2014
Wednesday 04/06 51
A naked beauty, an animal taken from its North Shore environment, and one of Colonel Kilgore's descendants...welcome to the May edition of the Board Bazaar.
Sweet and bitter fruit
Friday 04/04 20
Recently, while flicking through a book of John Witzig's photos, blindboy encountered an image that was identical to a memory he'd stored many years ago. Angourie, 1970.
The emerging value of handcrafted surfboards
Wednesday 05/03 13
Damon Hurst explores the emerging second hand surfboard market in Australia, and also announces a special treat for WA board boffins.
Board Bazaar - February 2014
Sunday 02/03 39
This is the first instalment of the Board Bazaar, a monthly column looking at the second hand board market. This ain't a classifieds section, just somewhere to pore over notable boards that have recently gone under the hammer.
The Birth Of The Bronzed Aussies
Monday 25/11 62
"I can't remember who first mentioned the Bronzed Aussie concept to me. It may have been PT or Mark Warren. I just remember being appalled at the name and mystified at the concept." Swellnet contributor, blindboy, glances back at one of the most bizarre, yet prescient episodes in the history of professional surfing - the creation of the Bronzed Aussies.
The Shortboard Revolution's False Start
Friday 18/10 20
Everyone was riding nine-foot-plus boards till 1967. This tiny board was so small and heavy, with George's deep hull front end. We rode it at Alex shore break, and found it very challenging, discouraging actually. If only we'd persevered with it. We may have started the Shortboard Revolution three years early.