What I Have Learned: Bob McTavish, 72, shaper, holy man, inventor of the shortboard
Bob McTavish was recently in Bali surfing, shaping and serving as an inspiration for the Deus 9ft and single weekend. Matt George had the chance to step into Bob’s shaping room, literally, and discuss what Bob has learned about friendship, where we can find God in a wave and why Chuck Yaeger’s grandson should be test pilot for his latest designs.
- Friendship? I think loyalty is the most beautiful quality of life. Loyalty to yourself, your wife, your children, your friends and loyalty to people whom you are going to meet and love along the way. And most of all? Loyalty to whomever you believe is your creator.
- We fall in love with surfboards because of all the time we spend with them. Count the hours. Surfing, talking about them, holding them in our arms. It may not be vocal. But it is emotional. We talk to our surfboards through our feet. Surfboards are your Sherpa, your helper to adventure. So, like any friend that is on your mind all the time, you fall in love with them.
- The only way to fall in love with your fins is if you have an eye for it. They are the adopted kids.
- I remember fins that I have fallen in love with over the years….but they were all glass-ons.
- Wayne Lynch? The world’s most natural surfer. Born with it. Deep inside him. And Wayne Lynch had very flexible ankles. Unnaturally so. Yes. And so he could tilt a board steeper than anyone else in '67, '68, '69. So backhand he could tilt the board so he was looking over the rail. And his ankles would adjust. That was his gift and he capitalised on it. He was able to think more vertically because of this. And bottom turn more radically than anyone else. He was the shortboard revolution.
- Nat Young. He believed he could do it. He was no Wayne, but he believed he could do it and he did. That was his whole theme. Belief in himself. Not like Wayne. Wayne had the gift combined with a modest assessment of himself. Nat was opposite. Nat wanted to be king. And he was. And those big feet of his helped a lot.
- Who is my ideal test pilot? John John. But only because I can’t remember half the names of the guys on the WSL. Ha! Test pilots for me have to be guys that gotta break away from the rigid contest formula. Same boards, same maneuvers. To break away is the guys that are fun to work with. When I shaped a board for Kelly, he wanted an edge that would help him beat the next guy, and that’s not the criteria I operate under.
Bob slotted on the NSW North Coast
- Most shortboards these days are just tennis racquets. Just stripped back to work in a tradesman’s way. Poured out of surf shops whether they are made in Hawaii or Timbuktu. It’s heartbreaking.
- I love Chuck Yeager. I would love a test pilot like him on my boards. Break some boundaries. Go beyond the possible. Aside from a 16-year-old Wayne Lynch, I guess the test pilot that would be able to break the McTavish sound barrier would have to be Chuck Yeager’s grandson. Ha!
- But seriously, I think Rasta is the man. Because he will paddle into a thirty foot wave on a seven foot board and he will maneuver within the barrel. And he will do this within the next two years. Guaranteed.
- Where do we find God on a wave? You must approach it with appreciation. Go to JW.org and look up evolution. That explains the whole court case that is going on regarding our planet.
- The easiest and most enjoyable kind of surfing is with your child on the nose of your board. Pure joy.
- So that headless photo of me [John Witzig] is the genesis of carving, carving, carving into the wave rather than skimming on top of it. That board I was on had the first vee bottom. I feel it carving up onto the face in that photo. Momentum, ease. Starting to introduce vertical surfing. A third dimension.
- It was only twelve months later that I was at Sunset Beach spinning out with the Plastic Machine. But that was because I took the vee concept way too far. Those famous Honolua shots of Nat Young? Same type board as the Plastic Machine. Crappy boards with giant fins, but we made them work because they were all we had.
- After the Honolua sessions, I went to California the next day and immediately shaped myself a really sweet 7’10” by 21” with low rocker and a shallow vee. That board was the board that really started the shortboard revolution in California. In chapter three of William Finnegan’s new book he called the board a crude monstrosity…but that board was electric. The real mind opener. There were rocket blasters in that thing. It threw away Miki Dora, Nuuiwha, there was no more trimming, no more noseriding, it was all off the tail and into the stratosphere from there. I surfed Rincon all that winter, from the indicator to the highway every wave. With no wetsuit. But I had a heater inside me because I was just driven by this powerful surfboard.
- I called that board the son of the Plastic Machine. I shaped that board at Morey/Pope’s, and one of the guys picked it up after I went back home to Oz. And this guy brought it to Bali. Surfed Sanur all those years ago. And do you know he rode that board for the next twelve years? All through the 70s! He just loved it to death, so he rode it to death. A fitting end. I did the best surfing of my life on that board. I was 27.
- Greenough was a guy that came over, riding on his knees, because he had no relevance in California. But when he came to Oz we loved him because he was a different kind of Yank. His stories were fantastic. And we were just living in this dumpy old share house surfing six hours a day and shaping six hours a night. And good old George just caught fish and fitted right in. Even though he was off the spectrum. We were young but he couldn’t relate to women, he couldn’t relate to the functioning world…but he was just a such a wonderful guy.
His influence on the revolution was more imagined than actually based in reality. Those hulls of his were hopeless, the Velos, just water pushers…but they were so wonderfully eccentric. But we had to sit him down and say, “No George, these hulls will not work for stand up. You’re down there on your knees and you can use your arms to pull those things around”. I think he was able to get in the tube for those movies because he was pushing water and weighed down with so much camera gear that the wave couldn’t help but overtake him. Ha!
I think his most valuable contribution to surfing was as a personification of surfing imagination. His photography proved that forever. We made George Greenough famous by association. He became famous and was perceived as influential and important because our little gang of Aussie surfers loved him. Still do.
- We were all heading vertical. We would sit around and discuss it at night. Imagine that. Talking about getting up under the lip and working those contours and arcs. And we had Ted Spencer with us, who was the best among us older blokes, but we also had little Lynchy sitting there listening to us. So the next day, instead of just talking about it, Lynch, like any 16-year-old, would go out and do it. What a great time it was. Ha!
- Do you know that whole shortboard revolution was only a six month period? Everything that followed was just mop-up.
- If Alexander the great was a surfer, his last thoughts on his deathbed would have been, “Listen to me you four generals, keep building surf camps! The world is ours!” Ha! We should all be so lucky. Ha!
//MATT GEORGE
Comments
Good chat. Yeah,as a grommet it was a real pisser that you spent all your hard earned cash on a beautiful log only for it to be gone (out of date) within a months. An era of dramatic change both in boards and style. As he said all within 'six months'.
Yeah I was a real young tacker in the late 60's (under 10 yo) and I still remember one year everybody was on logs and the next they were half the size and the next they were under six foot, some with 2 fins. Was a pretty amazing turn around. He should work with Dane that would be a good match.
"We made George Greenough famous by association. He became famous and was perceived as influential and important because our little gang of Aussie surfers loved him."
I know it was Matt George kneeling before him, but Bobs ego might have got a little out of hand there. He's put the cart before the horse.
Sure sign of insecurity when you need to run others down to make yourself sound more important.
mctavish is an a.s.s.h.o.l.e.! i want to punch a stand-up surfer in the face.
Didn't Midget build the first vee tail? :P
Yes the account of Vee and shortboard revolution that acknowledges midgets role, reads a bit better
Cant remember where i saw it - Stu??
but its a great read and acknowledges the egos involved
There's a good write up on the Farrelly site on the history of board design.. it's actually almost comical.
http://www.farrellysurfboards.com/about-farrelly-surfboards/midgets-shap...
Tim Baker addressed it in his book 'Century Of Surf'. I interviewed Tim for Swellnet and he made explicit mention of Midget and his contributions to the shortboard revolution. We ran an accompanying photo of Midge on a transitional vee bottom taken a month before the Honolua Bay sessions Bob mentions above.
Reckon Midget is finally getting his due, however it's kinda hard to shift 40 years of history. The story becomes so engraved in our minds that it takes an effort to recall the revisions.
Yeah, maybe midget worked with V tail but McTavish worked on V bottoms.
One of our blokes had McTavish's first plastic machine made in the states when they were over there.
Check the photo in this article, TB. Taken a month before the breakthrough Honolua sessions.
https://www.swellnet.com/news/talking-heads/2014/01/29/tim-baker-centurion-surf
Thanks Stu, good article. The whole Midge / Nat issue is interesting and I would not be surprised of the 'he said she said' point. Sure, let Midge take the credit for the V bottom. He was an incredible bloke and a great water man. We must remember, there was a lot of acid around I those days and the imagination that goes with it. I am going to have to bring it up with my mate re Mactavish's Plastic Machine he made in the US.
...can't discredit the man's contribution but he can keep his link to the JW site and their wacky claims on evolution.
Geez the straight past me. Didn't know he was a God Botherer. They are truly deluded and I was raised a Mick.
I think the case that Midget made the first v-bottom is pretty much iron clad though McTavish certainly popularised and further developed it with his fantastic plastic machine model. One of the aspects of McTavish's contribution that gets forgotten is some of the really inspiring things he wrote in Surf International about getting vertical, breaking out from the straight line, and banking under the lip. It was a huge influence on at least one grommet!
Reads like Bob also knows how to suck himself off...
Interns do that task
LOL gold udo.
I'm not big on any forms of Christianity but I'm almost certain that humilty is taught as being virtuous? Having read both his books all I was grateful for was the two -for-one deal at Specsavers after developing "I" strain.
'I' is a bit of an unavoidable pronoun when you are writing an autobiography.
Agreed but as alluded to, a humble "I" is easier to digest.
late 69 my last surf before i got banged up was on a mctavish vee and just as he describes it here, electric. thanks Bob for producing the Plastic Fantastic Machine.
I love midgets quote, " can anybody tell me what Bob McTavish actually invented , other than Bullshit?"
possibly the greatest self promoter ever !!
Gerry Lopez seemed to think McTavish was influential.
Wow - Bob's ego has run wild here. As someone who has known the family for years I'd like to clear up at least one point, on behalf of his family. Bob says Loyalty .... to his kids ... is one of the things he's learned, when in fact, the rules of his JW religion dictate that children who leave are shunned by family and friends. So in Bob's case - he hasn't spoken two of his daughters for 10-15 years because they left his religion. They've been completely cut off by Bob and his wife Lynn, and their other 3 children. As I understand it, he's also had minimal contact with most of his surfing colleagues and extended family over the years due to his religious belief - and he's often told his friends that he hates the surfing industry and speaking about himself, he just does interviews "because it's a Job". Surely, the journalist could do a little research when writing articles such as this one?
gotta love brainwashed religious fruit loops eh!
Thanks for the insight SG, lays that friendship passage wide open as utter bs, you NEVER turn your back on your children, for any reason EVER. I wish his excommunicated daughters good health and happiness.
Thanks surfgeek, strange that he 'hates' the surf industry as its given him a life, lifestyle, memories, leading edge involvement and the rest. Strangely, his kids have taken up his name, legacy, design etc to continue his name. It's disappointing when a myth gets blown up.
Great read. Always good to hear Bobs interviews. This era of surfers are bit before my time but i think all ages appreciate the impact these legends have had on surfing and its progression to where it is now. Always been intrigued with Bobs affiliation with the jehovahs so took a moment to look at site he quoted, pretty interesting stuff. Have to say his won my respect for being man enough to stick to his guns when it comes to his beliefs even though every time a Bob interview comes up there's always a handful of nobody's that love to slag him. I guess that old school hardness. Legend in and out of the water!
Man enough to stick to his guns even if it means not talking to your own kids?
What a man
Interesting to hear that people are impressed just because someone "sticks to their guns".
Pig-headedly clinging to beliefs (whether religious, political or whatever) isn't laudable in my books, it just highlights inflexibility and commonly, a massive ego.
Not to say that McTavish isn't a great shaper and/or pivotal person in surf history.
Maybe in but not out of the water :-)
'McTavish had never seen a vee-bottom until then,'' Farrelly, 65, said. ''The past and current shameless hijacking of history continues unabated. As surfers age and the real facts slide into the foggy past, it is easy for the snake-oil salesmen to hoodwink the public at large with books, DVDs, magazine articles and films.''
I know plenty of people of various religious backgrounds who are great decent people. Then you get the extremists and a lot of extreme Christians are holier than thou until they think your getting between them and a dollar.
I agree with ur comment Andy, but you have to respect the man for being bold enough to speak openly about his beliefs regardless of the ridicule he receives for it. I would think it would be a hell of a lot easier for him to follow the herd. I guess it's that mindset of his that has pushed surfing to where it is now. Surfing will never progress if everyone chooses to be a sheep.
While you may think Bob is "bold enough to speak openly" he never openly discusses not speaking to his children nor his guise within the JWs which is most definitely to "hate the surfing industry" (as it is part of the world that he has chosen not to be part of due to it being immoral and godless). So while you may think he not a herd follower, within the JWs that is exactly what he is and who he chooses to be. JWs discourage individualism, aspirations, creativity and all things 'worldly'.
Poor Bob. He is in a cult and doesn't even know it (as is common to cult members). JWs are extremist which is one sign of a cult - different to the 'others'. One of the signs of a cult is ex-communication if someone disagrees. He has three children with whom he does not speak to or have anything to do with. He even has a grandson that he has never met. He thinks he is being 'loyal' to his god or creator in doing so (and IF there was a loving god why would he want anyone to not have anything to do with your own children????). I don't admire that kind of loyalty no matter how Bob tries to frame it.
Greenough told me a long time ago, that he was upset with Bob because he'd sold old surfing pics without asking Greenough's permission. Being greedy is not very Christian.
Ha! Maybe if Matt had let his brother do this piece he may have pressed Bob a little more about GG. Nice link Lanky.
Ha oceanlover might have to rethink his username I'm thinking "mctavishhater" would be more appropriate.
I don't hate Bob and I actually love a few McTavishes! I do have issues with someone who spruiks loyalty to family as something so important to them while the reality is they have shunned their own children and grandchild. I don't get it, sorry if that has come across as hateful.
Typical tall poppy syndrome with the comments here. Ya can't deny he's had a big influence on surfing as we know it today. So did Midget. Have to agree he is into self promotion though.
And more misinformation on the JWs in the comments here then tarts at a tea party.
As a general rule, when someone brings up the 'tall poppy syndrome' they have already declared that they have no argument. Carry on SS, but Tall Poppy syndrome is a myth, created by 'tall poppies'.
Couldn't agree more surfer sam
JW misinformation - such as ?
Well correct the misinformed Sam. If a few of the comments are factual regarding Bob McTavish shunning his daughters due to their opposing beliefs this would be damaging to his brand.
I agree Wharfjunkie, correct the misinformation Sam. I know his daughters. FACT: They are shunned as is one of his sons. One daughter has a child and he has never met him. I think it is interesting that you think it can't be true because shunning his children would damage his brand. If his image includes 'holy many' (as HE chooses to stand by his beliefs) then the ugly side of those beliefs, should be exposed. I am incensed at his hypocrisy in promoting a 'holy man' image, loyal to his family!
I think you're arguing with the wrong bloke.
Read it again.
Most shortboards these days are just tennis racquets just stripped back to work in a tradesmens way poured out of surfshops whether they are made in Hawaii or Timbukto
Its heartbreaking.
Only shortboards Bob ? What about longboards you know the ones from Surftech ..3 models with your name on them ...made in Thailand
Heartbreaking ...Really.
Can anyone tell me if JW types such as Bob believe in human induced Climate Change ?
From what I can tell they think planet Earth is eternal . If that is true , sorry Bob your kinda losing me with the devotion to your JW beliefs.
While I'm at bleeding everyones brains , who put the first CONCAVE bottom into a shortboard , We all owe that guy a beer !
The Duke? His 1915 Freshwater shooter has concave in it, though whether it classifies as a 'shortboard' is open to debate.
A mate has a Brewer, circa '66-'67, that has some concave, and Mitchell Rae made some wild and very deep concaves in the 70s - he posts pics of them on Facebook semi-regularly. While researching a recent article on channels I spoke to a few shapers who dropped their channels into concaves, late 70s-ish.
The fella who made concaves work on the modern shortboard, however, is Greg Webber.
I had a Dennis Day Single concave 6 6 in 1971 , surfed it at Snapper , greenmaount and Kirra remember a bloke called PT who said it would never work , actually went a lot faster than his board. the first Al Byrne channel bottom I saw in the early 80's had a deep single concave , under the front foot stopping in front of the fins . GW hit the mark with Herro's board , at the Coke and South Africa , but by the time they got to France , he went way too far and they stopped working . GW's claims of his Stinger, Swallow tail , low rockered banana didn't even get in the water at Tresltes , just some observations !
Probably the guy that shaped a board after a few beers.
Serendipity.
I like Bobby Mac, I think he is a go getter and pretty inspirational with his surfing. Unfortunately in all his years he still doesn't understand who Jesus is... as J Dubs just don't get it. To make it clear and easy for people because I'm sick of the nonsense and fake religions that include Rome's poor version, it is as simple as this.
God is really big. so big you cant see him. Much like an ant trying to comprehend us except on a much bigger scale. So before he made the 2 races of angels and men he had a son who we now call Jesus. In his son he put all of himself. We hear it said " that boy is just like his dad". Jesus is so much like his dad, that he is his dad, only in visible form and Co equal to the Father. This is because he has the same ghost or Spirit as His Father, where as we have our own individual spirit which makes us who we are. All things were made through Jesus the Son and for Him. Both angels and men have rebelled from their free will given to them. This put us under a death penalty but Jesus, being a great visible and relational God, came to earth through his chosen spaceship.... Marys womb, to be like us and eventually die in our place. One life for all lives, the creator substitutes for the created to all who love him and believe on His name. Its all pretty far out to us but quite simple really when you think about it. I often think why He does things that way and this way, but in the end He is God, who can figure Him out and He can do whatever He likes. How often in life have we thought things were not logical , but then in the end you see it all came together. God sees far ahead and exists in eternity, He throws out the universe like a tent to live in and sits upon the circle of the earth looking down upon the sons of men, to see if any care and if any really understand the big picture, he mourns those caught in the false religions, with their idols, rules of men and violence toward his creation. He especially mourns those who say they follow Jesus and yet are corrupt with twisted gospels , war mongering so called free countries and the extreme wickedness of Rome and its grip on the earth. King Solomon said it best...Fear God and keep his commandments..for that is the whole duty of man. By following the real Jesus , all those commands will be met and you won't fall into the trap of mens clubs and cults but you will have a God and people loving freedom, which will allow you to walk into any church anytime and speak to Jesus anytime of day or night as not just a creator, but a close friend.
Fuck for all these years I was led to believe God played 6 games for Hawthorn 242 Games for Geelong kicked 1030 career Goals, Three Coleman Medals and a Norm Smith medal, AFL and Geelong team of the century to go with multiple appearances for the Big V. Only those who witnessed it can truly believe.
But the son of god was too good for the little city.
Yeah Jesus left for money see the link between Christianity and coin.
yeah then he drugged a 21 year old ,she overdosed with the drugs he gave her and he did a runner!!
Yaaaabbleetttttt
Well that's Sunday mass sorted.
Amen.
Macs religion has got nothing to do with his ideas and the changes he helped bring in. We need blokes like him, like midget, like Simon, etc, etc.
Question is really where to from here - just finer refinements and changes with boards for specific surf locations ? Seems so. But you just gotta love major changes in design and new ideas.
Just sit and talk to these blokes or your local shaper and don't tell me that does not hype you up.
Couldn't agree more Mr Barber. The comments here depress me - appreciate the man for what he is there no need to bring his family etc into it. Probably all bullshit anyway I read his biography and from what I could tell he had a great relationship with his family. Not that it matters or is relevant in regards his contribution to surfing anyway.
I agree with you TB, religion has nothing to do with his contribution to surfing, which has been historically significant no matter how you slice it......
But it was Matt George who introduced it, and Bob himself who tried to pitch the JW world view.
JW is a particularly cruel cult for it's practice of cutting off family members.
For years we've had to endure the kind of syrupy hero worship that Matt George and most of the surf media have used as their stock in trade.
With open comments we thankfully get that kind of self-mythologising bought back to a more human level. Bob is no "holy man"......he's just a human being with his own share of mistakes, wrong moves, destructive beliefs etc etc.
Same as the rest of us.
damn I agree , but he did popularize the short board , perhaps he plagiarized contemporary designers at the time , ask Dick Brewer!!!
So when Bobby boy hosts his Maldives boat trip is it a JW exclusive event? Or is it ok to talk to non JW's so long as theres cash to make?$$$
Religion and politics they say...
I've always found religion to be the better argument starter though...
"Fear God".
I may be wrong, but I'm fairly sure this more than any other statement moved me away from Christianity.
Agnosticism is the only true religion.
Always thought the complete phrase was "Fear God, and dread nought." ie a challenge to fear no man, creature or circumstance - and God being mentioned as a yardstick. But yeah, interpretations.
A guy at work used to say "I fear no man and very few women."
this article makes sort of makes my stomach turn for several reasons..the hypocracy of (as those who know him refer him by) Little Bobby Bullshitter is never ending.. the blind eye from those in the Surf Media , Stunet, as its "too hard to change history' and Freeride ready to forgive LBB the many many 'Mistakes' even though they were calculated and harmful to those that thought he was a friend or a trusted business associate all in the name of his ego and own profit.... So much for his stated loyalty..I could go on with a verified list of the above but the true history of his underhandedness sickens me.
Wake up to this Trump of the surfing world..
It's the greedy Christian way great people until you are between them and a dollar or the jealousy that appears due to others success. Plenty of Christians aren't like that and are genuine great people but theres a lot of the holier than thou types who will walk over anyone if it gets between them and a dollar.
This is a present that keeps on giving. Name names Ol55 or better still write an article for Swellnet as a reply if he is as fraudulent as you say.
Happy to but I'm not a journalist...mmm.. perhaps if an interested surf writer contacts me then I'll reveal all. but judging on the reaction here, will they listen ,or believe and then we have the old LBB best form of defence is attack..!! again happy to put forward so come on all you budding investigative journo's.. offer is there.
Calling Phil, this could be his new book. His ones on Bali and Quicksilver were real page turners.
In 1959 when Bob was around 15 yrs of age he visited 'The Surf Shop' in Brisbane
[Adlers ?] amongst the 9ft boards in the rack Bob saw a 6'6 which he bought
Who was the shaper of a 6'6 surfboard in 1959 ?
How do you know that Udo??
Cos Bob said it - rewriting surf history The Inertia 2012
Interesting...
Challenge.... name one original invention that Bob has done that he actually came up with himself??....... Stunet ???
Yeah, maybe right Ol55. But geez, he was a major influence in design and surfing styles back in the late 60s and 70s. Let Midge take the credit for the V but I'm sure Mac was a leader in the short boards, as was Brewer.
Its really interesting that when I genuinely ask a legitimate challenge for factual information I get no replies...?? I suppose its easier to say ol55 is just a crackpot and dismiss it.. I guess that's how history went and Bob hijacked surfing to his truth.
I'm not on a Midget mission here just the actually facts as the article is called the 'Inventor? of the short board' and in his own words and books LBB has put claim to be the first and invent a lot of stuff !!much to the disgruntlement of the ones who really did it..
so please just to satisfy curiosity perhaps Stunet you could reply??
It's been a long time - does anyone know the 'truth' ? Does it really matter ?
Let it become folk lore.
Well, got to give it to Ol Mac, he can still talk underwater.
The word history is made up of his + story.
Originally, storytelling was critically important for family and culture transmission reasons, as well as a whole pile of other legitmate reasons.
History then, is created by the teller; or put another way, the most dominant teller, or the 'authorised' teller, or biggest bullshit teller, or the most eloquent teller......
Essentially, the resonating voice and/or collection of stories that survives and/or dominates the narrative the longest and loudest becomes the overarching version of 'history'.
The history of the shortboard revolution? Surely there were multiple developments occurring simultaneously here, in California and possibly elsewhere?
Can anyone actually claim a first? and is it matter that is it actually important to be first anyway? It seems to me that these types of conversations about who was/wasn't first after 40+ years typically turns into a lot of pain and unnecessary anguish. So why make these type of claims?
ol55, Stunet is on holidays
Investigative journo - maybe to close to home for Freeride......Lewis Samuels may enjoy the job ?
thanks Udo.. we'll see what happens.. won't hold my breath though..
Bob Mctavish celebrating 50yrs of Noosa 66
20 limited edition handshaped mals $3499 - Beautiful looking boards.
3 and a half grand for a board?
Jeepers!
Going cheap compared to some Lopez or Brewer creations. You're looking at parting with $5K or more for those.
Good on him - if there are buyers.
Lucky I didn't hold my breath Udo...... Stunet comment on how good the price is but not to investigate any of my comments...Sad day for Journo's.....Great day for LBB.
"Sad day for Journo's"
Lay off the melodrama pills, pal.
Very defensive Stu...Are you a surf Journalist who's interested in a real and truthful story??
Only as much as you're an anonymous punter with an axe to grind.
That's a great reply from someone who has never bothered to investigate any of my so called rantings or know who I really am...Nice work.. I never wanted to get you offside just get you fired up enough to check it out.... its easy to state what you just have and then discount me, as I have mentioned before, as just a nutter with an 'Axe to Grind"
I've never even seen your 'rantings' till this morning. If you want to investigate something that happened nearly 50 years ago and was verified by people such as Wayne Lynch, George Greenough, and many, many others, well, knock yourself out. If it all checks out - meaning your can get Wayne and George and others to disavow themselves of what they've said about Bob - then I'd be glad to run it on Swellnet.
If it's an investigative piece that does exactly what you claim I'll even pay you. However, if it's just an opinion piece then we'll keep the coin.
The negativity Stunet...why would I want to be paid ..?? Wayne and George have nothing to do with my facts... they were not involved and I would not bother them. As for my rantings I have on several occasion asked over the past couple of years for you to contact me.. via these mediums with no reply.
Seems I've hit a bit of a sore spot this morning and at least got you somewhat interested even if it is in the negative.
Others can verify.....Like i said Unbiased view here so send another Journo please. ...some one who is at least neutral to start with.... otherwise its dead in the water before it even starts and who would want to waste their time with that. yours and mine.
OK, then we wont pay you. But either send the info you have or stop playing charades.
Talk about having to take a chill pill yourself!!
I'll only send to you if we have a conversation first with an understanding....Lot at stake here....as you may well understand from your own sensitivity... enough of the forum as I have your attention..
Ol55 I have great concern for the health of anyone out in the surf when someone paddles out on LBB's boards they tend to attract a certain type of surfer. Thats not LBB's fault though I would be interested to read any evidence you have that completely decants legend from truth.
LBB'S customers are not my concern... but the constant perception of LLB , as this article and its writer allure to, that Bob is something in Surfing that is the holly man and inventor of what I don't know, really gets to me when I know how he got there and what he did to those that are unnamed. If that attracts a certain type of surfer then so be it ..but I know and surf with some great people that have LLB's boards who certainly do not know the real LBB. Perhaps if they did then they would change their equipment??
So judging from those comments of Stunet even if he did want to get the facts from me and really check it out, do you think it would be unbiased account?? Already made up his mind. Like I said melodramatic or not......
Send all info to stuart@swellnet.com
wharfie , the same could be said for the Hypto Krypto brigade , certain type of surfer ??
as for ol 55 , you are spot on...here's quote from Midget farrelly about LBB ,"Side question - can you think of one design feature or surfing move that Bob McTavish might be responsible for other than bullshit?"
I wonder if Midgets opinion matters??
Heh, two icons of surfing. Do we have a base for a script for a book /movie. This is one for PhilJ, maybe. It would be interesting if Phil included these thoughts, ideas, design transitions in his upcoming old woodies movie.
Midgets view would have to matter.
Heres the first line from The Encyclopedia of Surfing Entry on Bob.
"Cheerful Australian surfer and surfboard designer; inventor of the vee-bottom surfboard, and a key figure in the 1967-launched shortboard revolution."
Who was the actual inventor of vee bottoms then? I'm not arguing just curious.
Thanks Sharkman I was starting to feel a little beaten around the head by Stunet.....I will not just send my information as it will get the royal treatment under the current state of affairs but I am willing to do more with the right person.
Midgets and others opinions do matter and especially with the facts to back it up.
I knew and know most involved.
But no more tit for tat with Stunet as hes really got his nose out of joint..I left the door open to call and thats that.
ol 55 , there is a lot of stuff out there on LBB, and if you have something you want to show, send it to Stu so he can check it out!
LBB's version on Wayne Lynch's ankles and how he listened to Bob , and then went and did it next day coupled with LBB's version of Greenough , hahaha , anybody who was around in that era will take LBB to task , Midget being one of them!
I think LBB is a bit like the legend of weber , legends in their own minds and not much to back it up with!
Sales of the Noosa 66 are going well according to McTavish site.
Sharkman ol55 are both right re the equipment shouldn't be judgemental of the certain type of surfer.
I am hoping that the claims of Ol55 can be investigated and either verified or dismissed so LBB's reputation can be just Little Bobby and not Little Bobby Bullshitter or those whose contributions have been unrecognised can get the acknowledgement they deserve.
What I have learned... after 30+ years surfing ...& ridden 60+ different shaped boards.. .is that Bob McT has shaped/created some of my favourite all round (east coast NSW) boards. Bob is a surfer; a shaper, craftman & still buzzing with life.
Talented people have passed on there knowledge to all of us.
I wish you all a fortunate future & can share this adventure of life in the lucky country.
Great feedback on the craft bbbird don't think its what Ol55 and others are questioning mate.
"His influence on the revolution was more imagined than actually based in reality. "
So much negativity regarding this comment . May be badly worded ( that is not a first time in an interview ) or may be it was his opinion . He gave a good explanation of why he thought his boards were not efficient . As Bob said he was a wonderful guy , a close friend and they all loved him .
The rest of the interview was fantastic . Descriptions of Lynch , Young , John John , Rasta and Yeager were brilliant imo .
If I had never met him , after reading the article I would like him and respect everything he said .
" The right stuff " .
ol55 are you still around.....?
Yes always around udo
same opinion based on facts that never change
Only memories do ….
Udo
U reignited a thread that went out years ago .T
To see if someone is around ????
Unlike U !!!
Any reason for throwing out some burley ?
Fishing for something ?
Maybe just trying to remind everyone what a lovely bloke Bob really is .
Again , Unlike U , Udo .
ol55 had something to say on this and another Mctavish Article
Wondering if had ever Shared his Bit...
And SurferSam never replied with the so called JW Misinformation ?
Appreciate your clear response , Udo .
As U know I like hearing about Bob .
Read that he shaped Wayne Lynch an EVO which must have made an impression .
Wayne now shapes his Own Evo's ( and big ones ) .
Udo
I liked his excuse to the Judge in Hawaii when being extradited for being an Illegal immigrant .
Something like " I have always loved Hawaii , your culture and waves and just HAD to come , sorry " .
The Judge sent him and his mate home with a slap on their wrists and with fn First Class Plane tickets .
No being Stowed Away on a slow boat to Oz , on the way HOME haha .
Bob McTavish - a man of True Grit !
His wife , Lynne has grit to .
Good people .
Where can i Find that Tale..Have not come across that Version Yet
First Class Tickets home...is that a recent L.B.B. J.W. add on...