Smorgasboarder_07_September-2011

BUMPER 164-PAGE BIRTHDAY EDITION! MASSIVE BOARDS SECTION! 

SHARK! 

FRIEND 

OR FOE? 

...P56 

Byrobn Bbaya 

AT HOME IN THE WAVES 

LIVING ...P42 

THE PEOPLE, THE PLACE 

DISCOVER YOUR BACKYARD ...P78 

SURF SHOTS 

THE BEST READER PICS ...P17 

THE MAGAZINE FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO SURF 

ISSUE #7 SEP/OCT 2011

02 6680 8807 / www.mctavish.com.au

DETAILS 

& THINGS 

WHERE TO PICK SMORGASBOARDER UP 

Quality surf stores, shapers and cool cafes within 10kms of the coast 

through Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. For 

a full list of distributors, visit the directory in the back of the mag or just 

get to your local surf shop and talk to some real people, in the flesh. If you 

see a local store advertising, they’re sure to have the lion’s share of mags 

in your area. smorgasboarder is published six times a year. 

CAN’T GET THERE? SUBSCRIBE 

If you can’t get to a store, have smorgasboarder delivered to 

your door. The mag’s still free, but Australia Post need to get paid. 

$18 IN AUSTRALIA GETS YOU SIX EDITIONS. 

Sign up at www.smorgasboarder.com.au and wait by 

your mailbox. It’ll arrive every two months. Back issues are 

available for $5 per copy. We have limited copies left. 

THIS EDITION’S COVER SHOT 

A picture perfect moment of Byron Bay local Johnny Abegg 

with his friend Pinky the Sea Quad, snapped by our feature 

photographer, Alex Frings. For more on Alex, see Page 90. 

THANK YOU 

...to all the people who made this edition possible. Special 

thanks to Dean Slockee, Louise Gough, Gus Brown, Helen 

Chapman, Katie Swan and John Pickering. 

THE TEAM 

SALES & EDITORIAL: 

Dave Swan 

dave@smorgasboarder.com.au 

0401 345 201 

EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION: 

Mark Chapman mark@smorgasboarder.com.au 

0400 875 884 

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION & SALES 

James Ellis trade@ljdistribution.com.au 

0410 175 552 

CONTRIBUTORS 

WRITING TALENT & PHOTOGRAPHIC GENIUS 

Thanks to all you readers that have sent in photos, stories, 

ideas and more... You keep us powering on. Thanks to Brett 

Bam, Aimee Sics, Ben Horvath, Joel Coleman and Madelaine 

Dickie for the great stories and Alex Frings, Joel Coleman 

again, Grant Molony, Trent Dooley, Jarrod Slatter, Roie 

Hughes and Casey Ripper for the great photos. 

Ideas & submissions: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au 

Distribution: mags@hugecmedia.com.au 

6 jul/aug 2011 

WWW.SMORGASBOARDER.COM.AU 

smorgasboarder is published by Huge C Media Pty Ltd 

ABN 30944673055. All information is correct at time of going to 

press. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors in 

articles or advertisements, or unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or 

illustrations. The opinions and words of the authors do not necessarily 

represent those of the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction in 

part or whole is strictly prohibited without prior permission. 

We print with Pep 

Central and Craft 

Inprint Group, an 

environmentally aware 

and committed printer 

whose business is 

founded upon the 

principles of minimising 

waste and maximising 

recycling. Nice work.

Since 1971 

“is what surfing is all about” 

www.goodtime.com.au 

Surf photos by Jacob Lambert 

Goodtime Surf & Sail 

29 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane 

07 3391 8588 

info@goodtime.com.au 

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! 

Come and see Gail and the Goodtime team at jul/aug the 2011 Gabba7

Aug 10 2011, 4:19pm 



Hey Guys, I have been dreaming 

of surfing South Americas pristine 

coastline for a while now and have 

decided to make it happen. Is anybody 

keen to join me?? 

I have some holidays 

due, I’m in! 


I have always wanted to 

surf Chile, me too! 

PH: 1300 00WAVE 

8 jul/aug 2011

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

17 

HEAPS OF READER 

PHOTOGRAPHS! 

Pages of your cracking 

pic submissions from 

the past two months 

OUCH! 

42 

56 

78 

GRAND DESIGNS 

IN THE BUSH 

We spend some time 

at Jed “Bushrat” 

Done’s amazing home 

SHARKS: BAD, OR 

JUST BAD REP? 

We know they’re there, 

but what are they up 

to? We ask questions. 

BYRON BAY ROAD 

TRIP SPECIAL 

Fun days and big nights 

at one of our favourite 

surf towns, period. 

ALL THE 

USUAL BITS 

THE LATEST 

Feedback P15 

And greatest P26 

News P32 

Community P35 

Latest local faces P48 

TRAVEL 

Visit South America P70 

Discover your back yard P78 

GEAR 

Byron Bay’s shapers P104 

Talking about blanks P132 

Skate P137 

Test everything P148 

 

CLOSEOUT 

Fitness P155 

People out and about P159 

Less comedy and more ‘oh crap’... 

Central Coast big-wave charger, Justin 

‘Jughead’ Alport cops a nasty little bit 

of underwater time. For more about 

Jughead, check out the story on page 50. 

BILL 

TOLHURST 

5’10”, 6’0”, 6’2”, 6’6” & 6’10” 

Photo: Grant Molony. See more at 

grantmolonyphoto.blogspot.com 

SURFTECH AUSTRALIA 

www.surftechaustralia.com.au 

mar/apr 2011 

9 

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More 

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the line reflects the diversity of our collective: the in-house die-hards, 

that make up who we are. The thing tying all these voices together 

athletes, artists, designers, friends, and expanding family of customers 

is an understanding of what’s at stake - we need clean air to skate, 

that make up who we are. The thing tying all these voices together 

clean water to surf, and snow to ride. For those of us who participate 

is an understanding of what’s at stake - we need clean air to skate, 

in boardsports, protecting the planet is about the environments we 

clean water to surf, and snow to ride. For those of us who participate 

utilize everyday. To that end, we develop sustainable riding solutions 

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that blend responsible materials, next-level technology, and real 

utilize everyday. To that end, we develop sustainable riding solutions 

world art into the best designs available. 

that blend responsible materials, next-level technology, and real 

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YO ADRIAN... 

Who doesn’t love the original Rocky movie? 

The story of a small-time boxer who gets 

a once in a lifetime chance to fight the 

heavyweight champion in a bout where 

he strives to go the distance for his selfrespect. 

The storyline of Rocky is superb. When you 

strip it all back, the underlining message is 

about exceeding expectations. It’s a story 

about a simple guy who gets the chance to 

do something amazing, and he gives it all 

he has got. 

As we celebrate one year in the game, we 

do feel a little like Rocky. We love what we 

do and consider it an amazing priviledge. In 

each and every edition we give it all we’ve 

got, to the point of absolute exhaustion. 

But seeing the new mag back from the 

printers makes it all worth it. 

The good, down-to-earth feedback we 

receive from you guys and girls - our 

readers - is what spurs us on, motivates 

us and lifts our spirits. So, thanks to each 

and every one of you. You have made 

a difference and we appreciate it. But 

please, keep giving us feedback. We’re not 

arrogant or up ourselves and we want to 

keep making smorgasboarder better and 

better every time. 

And finally, a big thanks to our advertisers 

for getting behind us, supporting us and 

believing in us. Without them, we wouldn’t 

have a mag. So as surfers, let’s continue 

to ensure we keep supporting our many 

talented shapers and local surf shops. 

Yes, we made it. It’s one year on... our 

anniversary edition. The year has been a 

bit of a blur - an unbelievable journey but 

a hell of a lot of fun, so thanks for being 

along for the ride. 

WELCOME TASSIE 

Yep, the smorgasboarder family is breeding 

like rabbits, popping up here, there and 

everywhere. Welcome on board! 

You can now pick us up in five states and 

online too. Read all editions at 

www.smorgasboarder.com.au 

And if copies at your local surf store 

have run out before you get there, 

remember you can also subscribe to have 

smorgasboarder delivered to your door 

for only $18 for the year. Subscribe online 

at www.smorgasboarder.com.au 

Dave 

Make a wish.... 

Cake baked by Katie Swan 

july/aug 2011 

11

LADIES FIRST 

LITTLE GIRL 

BIG SURF 

PHOTO: ROIE HUGHES 

THESE DAYS TEENAGER ZOE CLARKE HAS DREAMS OF 

COMPETITION TOUR STARDOM AND WINNING A WORLD TITLE, 

BUT IT ALL STARTED YEARS AGO, SURFING AT THE AGE OF 

FOUR, ON LITTLE WAVES AROUND TORQUAY ON DAD’S MAL. 

“I really always loved the beach 

because everyone in my family did it 

so I guess it just came naturally.” 

At age 6, Zoe started Nippers with 

her sisters Serena and Phoebe. The 

training three days a week which 

involved swimming in many different 

conditions taught her about endurance, 

and helped build her surfing confidence 

as she started testing herself in more 

challenging waves. 

“As I’ve got older and started surfing 

the reef breaks bigger and bigger 

I kinda just got more comfortable. 

When you’re younger you don’t really 

think about the consequences. 

“When you first get out there you 

don’t really know how big it is until 

you start getting thrashed around 

under the white water. In Victoria 

it’s pretty hard to avoid big waves... 

You are going to have to tackle them 

eventually!” 

In addition to the Nippers, Zoe also 

did squad training for swimming three 

times a week. 

“I really loved the water and just 

getting out there...Yeah, the only 

way to get better at something is to 

practice.” 

A young girl in big Victorian 

conditions… Surely there has to be 

an element of fear in there? 

“Fear is there to be conquered every 

time you surf. Every new place 

you surf has its perils. Surfing is a 

sport of personal challenges in an 

uncontrolled environment.” 

Leaving the colder climate behind, Zoe 

has recently moved to Queensland. 

“Yeah, I’ve just moved. You can spend 

so much more time in the water and 

all the surfers out there really push 

you because they’re some of the best 

surfers in the world. The waves in 

Queensland are smaller, but a lot 

faster than Victoria. The crowd also 

helps you to react faster and learn to 

get the best waves. “ 

But it’s not just all about surfing for 

Zoe either... 

“One thing I would also love to do is 

help people in need. I would love to go 

to another country and help out people 

less fortunate than myself. It would be 

great to help them in a way that could 

change their life... Why not?“ 

Exactly. Why not? Best of luck for 

those great future plans, Zoe. 

12 sep/oct 2011

“IN VICTORIA IT’S 

PRETTY HARD TO 

AVOID BIG WAVES... 

YOU ARE GOING TO 

HAVE TO TACKLE THEM 

EVENTUALLY!” 

www.surfcomposites.com.au 

admin@surftechaustralia.com.au 

sep/oct 02011 

4226 1322 13

*On all orders over $50, excludes parcels over 6’10”. 


WINNER 

STUFF UP FOR GRABS! 

THE C-SKINS WETSUIT GIVEAWAY 

C-SKINS WETSUITS asked you to dig up your old wetsuits. 

Taking pity on the neediest owner, they offered to generously 

replace said suit with a brand new C-SKINS Wired S2 3x2, 

valued at $475! 

And this edition’s winner is keeping it in the family, replacing his 

much beloved old C-SKINS suit with a brand new one. With so 

many years of fun out of it, Joe’s a walking billboard for how well 

these suits last! 

“I have had my trusty C-Skins 5/3 steamer for 10 years. It’s surfed 

all around Europe with me and outlasted many boards. 

“When my family and I decided to move to Australia I thought it 

would be a fitting retirement for my old suit. I hadn’t counted on 

S.A. waters being this chilly.” 

Congrats to Joe from Sellicks Beach, South Australia! 

For more information on C-SKINS suits call 0412 081 546 or 

visit the website on www.c-skins.com 

XXX-ING MORE TO WIN! 

*Prize suit for illustration only. 

LATEST: FEEDBACK 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR XXX-ING SCARY SURFING MOMENT AND WIN A 

LONG-ARMED SPRING SUIT FROM TRIPLE X WETSUITS! 

THERE’S A 2MM L/S TITANIUM 3D, RRP $289 UP FOR GRABS! 

It may have been a big wave, an encounter with a Noah or when you have ended up 

accidentally surfing au naturale. If you have a Triple X moment and want to share it, 

or better still have photographic evidence, we want to to know about it. The winner 

will get a terrific Long-Arm Spring suit from Triple X Wetsuits. The hottest wetsuit 

you will ever wear. Send your stories in to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au 

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION: 

Email all your innermost thoughts, letters, stories, photos, praise, rants to 

letters@smorgasboarder.com.au or send other contribution ideas, surf 

photography or fantastic ideas for stories to editor@smorgasboarder.com.au. 

Join us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Smorgasboarder-Surf- 

Magazine/133229320054947 (or easier, just search for smorgasboarder) 

LOVE THY SHAPER 

I think we are very lucky as surfers to be able to get boards 

made locally, by someone with a knowledge of the waves 

we surf, for a price that hasn’t changed a great deal in the 

last 20 years. We are even more fortunate that many of us 

can get a board custom shaped by an ex pro surfer, in my 

case Glyndon Ringrose, for next to no difference in price 

from a board off the rack. 

Surfing is very unique in this regard. Can you imagine the cost 

of custom made equipment by a top athlete in any other sport? 

Support your local shapers ‘cos we don’t wanna be ordering 

overseas boards from a catalogue saying `remember when’. 

Troy, Phillip Island 

Mate, you couldn’t be more on the money. The more people 

that can see the value in supporting their local guys, the 

better for surfing in the long run. Plus you actually get to 

meet some top people in the process. 

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. 

How cool is it to be able to surf in 

this day and age!?! VERY cool! A 

lot of surfers nowadays don’t waste 

their time or energy complaining 

about bodyboarders, kneeboarders, 

shortboarders, funboarders, longboarders 

or SUPs. In many cases today’s wave 

riders own and use two, three or four of 

these surfcraft and so appreciate fellow 

surfers’ choice of fun. 

The majority of folk realise that it’s the 

individual and not the vehicle that states 

what kind of person they are. I like to 

think nowadays no matter what we ride, 

we can appreciate and respect each 

other as sons and daughters of Mother 

Ocean. Which of course, makes us all 

brothers and sisters. 

John, Gerringong 

*Letters may have been edited for length and clarity 

sep/oct 2011 

15

Short to long, every 

Ron Wade Surfboard is built 

for peak performance 

Over 40 years of experience goes into every Ron Wade design. 

“After talking with Ron, I was 

confident with his 40-plus 

years of shaping and designing 

knowledge, that he could make 

me a board that could allow me to 

progress and do what I wanted.” 

Korey Fogden 

(mention 

smorgasboarder to 

get a free leggie 

worth $45 with 

a new Ron Wade 

board order) 

Korey Fogden is a rising star in the 

Mona Vale Boardriders Club and 

regularly places in the top 3 places 

in the under-15 yrs division. 

He proudly rides the 5’6” Airobatic 

model in smaller surf and a 

5’8” Blackfeather performance 

shortboard for bigger waves. 

Korey Fogden Photo: Alec Vandyke, Mona Vale 

SHIPWRECK MEMORIES 

Couldn’t believe my luck. Had two days off work 

during the week just before July school holidays. 

Got excited as the weather was favorable for surf. 

I hadn’t had one since before Easter. I was going 

to Warrnambool to visit my parents and to catch 

up with my brother. Been surfing with him since 

1970. Started surfing age 10, wearing speedos 

and a football jumper in winter at Lady Bay. Didn’t 

care what the surf was like. I would go out alone in 

howling onshore in freezing conditions after school. 

No legrope. Later, I made one from nylon cord and 

Mum’s stocking. 

Anyway, decided to go via Torquay. Brother said 

don’t bother, come straight here and we will go out 

at Port Fairy. I picked Chris up. I couldn’t believe 

what I saw. 3-5 ft rights, gentle offshore breeze, four 

guys out and sunshine. Two hours of indulgence. A 

guy I hadn’t surfed with for over 25 years was there. 

He still dropped in on me twice, but who cared. It 

was great surf and great company. To top it off we 

went out the next day and it was just as good. 

Then we get back and his copy of Smorgasboarder 

arrives and there’s the article about our backyard. 

I began to reminisce about the early morning runs 

to find surf from Port Campbell through to Portland. 

Had a surf once in Bay of Islands. Very long paddle 

across the bay to a right that was peeling. I paddled 

so gently because I was sure a shark was going to 

bite me on the arse. Being so cold that you couldn’t 

undo your wetsuit. Climbing down cliffs carrying 

your board and if you fell, you would get injured. 

Jumping off cliffs to get into the surf and having 

to climb out through a blowhole to get out. Driving 

across farms and paddocks to get to THE SPOT. 

Bill, Greensborough 

POSTIVE OUTLOOK 

In the modern times of finanical hardship on 

the common surfer, it’s refreshing that we and 

foremost yourselves (smorgasboarder), lead by 

literary example and Australian Spirit of when 

times are tough you can still have a positive 

outlook on life. 

We all have hardships, but your positive stories 

have given this surfer a positive outlook that I 

now can show my kids how positive surfing is 

and what it means to be a surfer, through your 

magazine articles. 

Greg, Gold Coast 

That’s just awesome and makes all this so much 

more worthwhile. Thanks Greg. 

The Blackfeather 

“This board 

allows me to do 

360 degree 

snap turns” 

The Airobatic 

Korey’s first 

choice for 

doing the 

best aerials 

For more information and 

quotes, please contact us: 

sales@ronwadesurfboards.com.au 

Phone 02 9979 7071 

Mobile 0410 443 776 

Fax 61 2 82128039 

Mail Mona Vale 

showroom, 

open 9-4pm Sat or 

call me. 

www.ronwadesurfboards.com.au 

16 sep/oct 2011 

STICK YOUR FREEBIES 

In a world that at times seems all too politically 

correct, we’re giving you a chance to win a Surf 

1770 ‘Stuff Work, Go Surfing!’ Surf for the Dole 

t-shirt by that crazy cat, Glen Cat Collins, and 

two blocks of Stick It wax. To win, all you have 

to do is email us your most memorable moment 

whilst being a dole-sponsored surfer or that time 

you told your boss to ‘Stick-it’ and went surfing 

instead. Email us on: 

letters@smorgasboarder.com.au 

WIN

READER PICS 

Petra Eronen, Sawtell 

DIFFERENT LINES 

The submissions we receive for the mag keep us inspired, motivated and just plain pumped to do 

the next edition. We get so many incredible photos and stories from readers, it’s near impossible 

to decide on which ones to print... This edition, we’ve added a few extra pages in the mix to show 

off as many of your shots as we can. 

And it’s certainly not often that we get a physical letter in the mail, let alone a handrwitten one, 

complete with original pencil drawings, so we had to run this one by Petra Eronen of Sawtell... 

Thanks for putting in the effort to send it in. 

Over the next few pages, sit back and enjoy the inspired work and passion of your peers and 

friends. And if you’re also a passionate surfer with a keen eye and you’d like to see your photos 

or artwork appear in smorgasboarder, what are you waiting for? Send it in. 


17

READER PICS 

Ben Considine puts his best foot forward 

Photo: Lee Considine beachcomber3.blogspot.com 



19

Ours? No, all yours... Brave big wave charger Evan Faulks Photo: Toby Manson 

READER PICS 

Greeny brown frothy goodness Photo: Pommielogger pommielogger.com 


Christian Retschlag, Currimundi cruising Photo: Brett Retschlag 


21

READER PICS 

An hour from Adelaide Photo: James Ellis 

SA shaper Ben Wallbridge goes fishing 

Wurtulla walls. Photo: Paul Collins 

Charging knights of Newcastle. Photo: Chris Lemar 



23

READER PICS 

Awesome old-school shot of Moffat Headland by 

Simon Kettle. Shot on ACTUAL FILM, not an iPhone filter! 

Blue sky and glassy, 

just outside of Sydney. 

Photo: Ian Elliott 


Sri Lanka 

Citrus Resort 

Coral Sands Hotel 

Coral Seas 

Hikkaduwa – West Coast 

Sri Lanka 

Stand up for Victoria Photo: Hayden O’Neill oneillimagery.tumblr.com 

Ocean Dream Hotel 

Ahangama 

Unawatuna Beach Resort 

Galle 

Tri Star Hotel 

Stardust Beach Hotel 

Arugam Bay - East Coast 

Sri Lanka 

Talk to the experts. 

surftravel.com.au 

enquiries@surftravel.com.au 

02 9222 8870 

Surf Travel Company 

Port Macquarie Photo: Rivier Seb 

There is only one original ... 



25 

Smorgasboard_1/4pages_D01.indd 3 13/06/11 6:03 PM

LATEST: & GREATEST 

ON YA 

BIKE! 

A cool fixie from The Misters. 

Original, Custom, fixed wheel 

cruisers, mountain bikes and BMX. 

Find out more about The Misters 

at www.themisters.com.au 

EVERYBODY NEEDS GOOD NEIGHBOURS 

Take a journey with Mark Riley, of Riley Surfboards, 

as he teaches his neighbour to surf. More than just an 

instructional DVD on how to paddle and stand up, Mark 

talks about useful tips like choosing the right beginners 

board, how to care for it, safety tips and surf etiquette. 

To order go to www.balsasurfboardsriley.com.au 

NICE RACK, 

GOOD WOOD 

Custom built, hand-crafted, freestanding 

board racks made from 

recycled timbers. Class. 

www.Byronbayboardracks.com 



27

It’s all about 

the beach 

surf art • shells 

driftwood things 

chenille shorts 

wood surf boards 

beach stuff • retro 

sunnies • thongs 

stripy towels 

umbrellas • NEW: 

HAMMOCKS! 

6 Lorraine Ave 

Marcoola Beach 


IN STOCK: Black Apache Surfboards 

Mini-Simmons, Fish and more by Jesse Watson 


PHOTOGRAPHIC PROOF 

Sunshine Surf Safari runs a surf photo service on the Sunshine Coast. For as little as $55 per 

hour you can capture your next session with family or friends on film. 

Visit www.sunshinesurfsafari.com for details. 

LATEST: & GREATEST 

Violate 

$39.99 or 

$49.99 polarised 

Desire 

$39.99 or 

$49.99 polarised 

TAKE HEED ALL YE SINNERS! 

There’s a new brand of eyewear launching this September created with the consumer in mind, blending 

fashion styles at an affordable price. Sin Eyewear - Check out your local store. 

TEETOTALER 

Abstain from anything but these 

superb spring season tees! 

LEFT: The motion of the ocean 

www.saltmotion.com 

FAR LEFT: The best Californian 

Shapers www.lastwave.com 

ABOVE: Australia’s best shapers & 

surf shops www.ssstees.com.au 


29

I LOVE 

LAPPIES 

Enter the Lap Rap... Cool covers to personalize and protect your laptop from 

general wear and tear. Customs too. Starts from $19.95 www.lap-rap.com 

FISHEYE OF THE TIGER 

Byron Bay’s Norval Watson is one of Australia’s original ‘surf artists’. 

Tigerfish Gallery in Torquay has released a limited run of high-quality, 

framed giclee prints of some of Norval’s masterpieces. The original oil 

paintings are also on show and available at Tigerfish for those who take 

their art a little more seriously. www.tigerfish.com.au 

WIN 

SEA OF 

SUPPORT 

And speaking of Sea 

Shepherd, Modom Surf 

have partnered with the 

conservation society to 

produce a line of clothing, 

bags and more, so you can 

wear your support loud and 

proud! For more, visit 

seashepherd.org and 

modomsurf.com 

BEDTIME 

READING 

Sunny and Coco’s A-Z 

of Surfing is a brand 

new book that surfs 

your kids through the 

alphabet. There’s even a 

page for Sea Shepherd, 

getting littlies involved in 

environmental matters. 

sunnyandcoco.com.au 

To win a copy signed by author, Kelly Smith, send us an email with your 

favourite surfing letter of the alphabet to letters@smorgasboarder.com.au 



31

LATEST: NEWS 

WHERE IS THIS? 

HOLDEN LOVES HAPPY HOWARDS 

Brenda and Graeme Howard’s Island 

Surf Shack surf shop on Phillip Island 

has made it into the latest Holden ad 

featuring Joel Parkinson. From the 

moment we met this down-to-earth 

couple we knew they were destined 

for greatness. Enjoy the second of fame! 

OLD JUNGLE SAYING 

The Phantom is heading off to Bali. 

That’s right, all round top bloke and 

extremely talented shaper, Chris 

Garrett is leaving Australia for a 

3 year stint at Deus Ex Machina 

Bali. The aptly named ‘Temple of 

Enthusiasm’ constructed in rice 

fields outside of Kuta is apparently 

something any travelling surfer has 

to see. He may not drink beer or 

coffee but we will miss him all the 

same. Best of luck Phantom. 

THOMAS IN DEMAND 

Speaking of the Deus Ex Machina 

Temple of Enthusiasm, Tomas Bexon 

and Jake Bowrey are also knocking out 

a few fine numbers at the Bali shaping 

bay at present. Thomas is also doing 

his bit for the grade 11 and 12 Graphic 

Design students at Burnside High in 

Nambour helping them with their finals 

on surfboard art design. Who better to 

learn from then the master? 

THE SOUND OF DRUMS 

That’s what it sounds like when 

Teahupo turns it on and this year’s 

Billabong Pro in Tahiti delivered 7m 

waves, as wide as they were high. 

It’s not usually our place to cover 

pro-surfing, but when the day’s 

competition was called off and the 

hellman were unleashed... Check out 

www.vimeo.com/28251123 to see big 

waves and wipeouts at their best. 

WEGENER WINS AGAIN 

The man voted by Surfer magazine 

as the Shaper of the Year in 2009, 

Noosa’s Tom Wegener, has won 

the Australian International Design 

Award for his Seaglass Project, an 

epoxy EPS version of the traditional 

Hawaiian alaia. 

The ‘Tuna’ is a perfect mix of flex, 

rail and bottom contours, combined 

with modern materials to increase 

flotation... And it goes like a rocket. 

Whilst it’s not new news - Tom was 

recognised at an award presentation 

ceremony in Melbourne back on 

July 22 - we love what he does 

and had to make mention of his 

achievements in this edition. 


Photo: Scamander Beach Surf Shop 

Oli Wilson, Manly beach 

Photo: Ian “Butts” Butler 

Stick It wax was formulated to stick to your board better than any other 

wax on the global market. Stick It doesn’t get bare patches and will 

often last over 3 times longer than your average wax giving you a longer 

more comfortable surfing session time after time! 

WWW.STICKITGROUP.COM 

...The latest place you can find smorgasboarder magazine, that’s where! 

The folks at Scamander Beach Surf Shop on the beautiful east coast of 

Tasmania not only get to enjoy this awesome view from their shop’s front door, 

they also now get to hand out smorgasboarder to all the surf locals, braving 

the cold for the reward of an uncrowded ride. Sounds good to us! 

THE EGG-BASKET, UP IN FLAMES 

I guess that’s what happens when 

you put all your... well, you know. The 

Surf Factory in Burleigh shows us the 

dangers of cheap overseas production 

with this sign on their closed store. 

Really nothing more we need to say... 

AND HIS HEART SKIPPED A BEAT 

Congrats to Steve Padmore of Skipp 

Surfboards in Wollongong, who has just 

become a dad for the first time. Steve 

and his partner Louise, are now proud 

parents of a healthy 7.7lb baby, Willow. 

ON THE RIGHT PATH? 

There’s some angst in the Lennox Head 

surf community with the construction 

of a coastal pathway on the foreshore 

of the Lennox Head Surfing Reserve. 

The main issues are the alleged 

lack of community consultation and 

innapropriate materials used. A three 

metre wide concrete path has now 

dissected the once pristine slice of 

coastal land and seascape. Perhaps 

something like a wooden walkway 

might have been a better option... 

CORE STORE FOR SALE 

Mick Morgan has decided to pursue 

his passion for Stand Up Surfing even 

further and put his Core Store surf shop 

in Nowra up for sale. The well laid out 

store stocking a great range of high 

quality clothing labels, skate and surf 

hardware is sure to be a dream buy for 

any surf keen business man or woman. 

HAPPY 60 TH OLD MAN OF THE SEA 

The man who described Mark and my 

surfboard shaping efforts/antics as The 

Itchy and Scratchy Show turns 60 on 

September 28. Happy birthday, Paul 

Carson of The Factory Surfboards! 

OLD WOMAN, NEW MAN 

Old Woman Surf Shop at Mudjimba 

on the Sunshine Coast has changed 

owners and names. Now known as 

Boardstore Surf, the old girl joins the 

family of Boardstore skate stores, so 

you’ll be sure to find cool new skate 

gear in there alongside the surf stuff. 


33

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The Surf World Torquay team 

LATEST: COMMUNITY 

the surfing solution... 

A Carver Surf Rack gets your 

surfboard to the beach in style! 

Mike from Sandy Feet gets into the spirit 

HISTORICAL RIDE FOR SURF HISTORY BUFFS 

Surf World Torquay recently rode into the 2011 Victoria Museum Awards and 

was nominated as a finalist in two prestigious categories. More than 700 

museums across the state took part. They made the final list in the Archival 

Survival Award for Smalls Museums and People’s Choice Award for Best 

Museum Experience. Well done to top bloke, Surf World Curator, Craig Baird 

and his team. 

In further news, the team is putting the finishing touches to their new BELLS 

GOLD exhibition. The exhibition features rarely seen photographs, surfboards 

and film from 1962 through to 2010 from the Bells Beach Surfing Contest and 

Rip Curl Pro. For further information visit www.surfworld.com.au 

ARTBOARD 

Surf World Gold Coast is once again hosting the Art of 

Surfing exhibition and competition in October, this year 

with a kids surfboard art section as well. If you fancy 

yourself with a Posca pen, spray gun or paint brush, 

get to it. Available space is limited to 50 boards so 

interested exhibitors are advised to enter early. Register 

your interest by email: info@surfworldgoldcoast.com. 

ART YOU WOOD LOVE 

Timber boards... They are something to behold. South Australian wooden 

board maker Peter Walker takes this craftsmanship to a whole new 

level. To say his boards are anything but unbelievable would be a gross 

understatement. His superbly crafted wooden surfboards ride the wave all 

the way from surfing into art and design and if you ‘d like to see what we 

mean, they’re on display in Brisbane right now. The exhibition runs until 

September 24 at the Gallery Artisan, 381 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley. For 

further details visit www.artisan.org.au 

Fits Larger Boards 

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Offer valid until November 2011. Image for illustration purposes only 

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from Surfing Legends 

lastwaveoriginals@gmail.com • Call 0400 497 534 • www.lastwave.com 

BEST FOOT FORWARD 

Mike Porter from Sandy Feet, one of the East Coast’s best surf shops by far, 

held their surfboard swap meet on August 20 in Port Macquarie. Despite 

mixed weather, the rooftop of Sandy Feet Surf was scattered with around 

100 used boards ranging from 60’s classics right through to current models. 

A raffle and donations managed to raise $400 for the local branch of the 

Disabled Surfers Association, where volunteers help disabled people enjoy 

the thrill of surfing that we take for granted. Well done Mike. 


35

MAIN: Residents unhappy about what’s coming. 

BOTTOM: Residents with no idea what’s coming. 

K.I. 

KANGAROO ISLAND: 

THE GLOVES ARE OFF 

Surfing is something that binds us and unites communities. So 

what happens when surfing, instead, divides a community, as has 

happened with the scheduled ASP event at Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo 

Island in South Australia? 

It would appear that rather than engaging, there has been precious 

little consultation with the local surfing community by Surfing South 

Australia. In fact, news of the Kangaroo Island pro is alleged to have 

come as a complete surprise to locals including the island’s only proin-residence 

Teale Vanner. In response to this, a number of Kangaroo 

Island surfers opposed to the running of the contest at Vivonne Bay 

have set up a very detailed website, www.kangarooislandprosurf.com 

where they are voicing their concerns. 

Local surfer Rick Slager, and others who are vehemently opposed 

to the event, were gracious with their time and explained their 

grievances and concerns to us. Unfortunately despite attempts to 

contact Tim Doman at Surfing South Australia to hear his perspective, 

we unfortunately received no reponse. However, Surfing SA’s position 

has been detailed on their website at www.surfingaustralia.com and 

in a nutshell, what’s planned is as follows: 

• A six-star ASP event at Spot X, a left hander in Vivonne Bay 

SURFBOARD SUPPLIES 

Our buoyant, lightweight timber 

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• Tom Wegener preferred alaia blanks 

• Alaia & Kite Boards 

• Long Boards 

• Hollow Boards 

• Chambered Boards 

Buy the BEST PAULOWNIA 

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Contact David Evans 

P: 03 9588 2533 

E: info.sales@paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com 

W: www.paulowniasurfboardsupplies.com 

• It aims to showcase the world’s best surfers to surf mad South 

Australians, who rarely get such an opportunity, and in turn, 

showcase the natural beauty of Kangaroo Island to the world 

• A three-night music festival to be run in conjunction, with acts 

such as Eskimo Joe, Ash Grunwald and the Beautiful Girls 

It’s been reported a number of the island’s local businesses were 

upbeat because of the windfall an event of this magnitude would 

deliver and some members of the community brimmed with 

excitement at the prospect of the opportunity to watch top class 

surfers ripping in local SA conditions. However, there’s some fierce 

voices in opposition. 


Beach, not so much... 


THE CONCERNS RAISED 

The quality of the break in a competition situation appears to be questionable. 

Bowly and fun, Spot X seems to be a fair way short of world class. Plus the time 

of year the contest is scheduled is when conditions reportedly deliver onshore 

2ft closeouts or at best, fairly short cross-shore 4ft waves. 

Besides the quality and consistency of waves, other points of contention 

included the infrastructure, the access to the beach itself, hygiene facilities, 

waste management, the pure volume of visitors and the logistics of transporting 

the spectators to the island by ferry or plane. 

“4,500 thousand people live on Kangaroo Island,” said Rick Slager. “And we are 

talking about effectively doubling the population for ten days.” 

A major point of concern with regards to where the contest is being held is the 

disruption to flora and fauna by an anticipated crowd of between 3,000 to 5,000 

- in particular, the threat to critically endangered species such as the Hooded 

Plover who nest in the dunes. 

Apparently, because the beach is quite narrow and almost non-existent at high 

tide, the crowd will have no choice but to take to the dunes or water in flotilla 

unless they are somehow suspended over the dunes - disrupting the very 

habitat of these species. 

At the end of the day, a number of things don’t seem to add up. It seems odd 

that a surf contest that is intended to showcase what South Australia has 

to offer seems to have been scheduled when the surf is, according to local 

knowledge, not at its best. Secondly, the very pristine, natural environment 

everyone is so proud of, even to a layman, is being put at risk of potentially 

being destroyed or at best, irreversibly damaged. 

So as outsiders looking in - with no business interests in competitive surfing and 

not being South Australian ourselves - we simply can’t understand the smoke if 

there’s genuinely no fire. Read, get informed, make up your own mind. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Those in opposition: www.kangarooislandprosurf.com 

The offical contest website: www.kangarooislandpro.com 

For further views, visit blog2.surfsouthoz.com - a very interesting read indeed. 

LEADING SURF 

AND STREET WEAR, 

SURFBOARDS, WETSUITS 

AND ACCESSORIES... 

WE ONLY SELL THE GEAR 

THAT WE USE IN THE 

WATER OURSELVES! 

SURFWAREAUSTRALIA 

SUNSHINE COAST SUPERSTORE 

2 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 Tel (07) 5491 3620 

Open Mon to Sat, 9am to 5pm and Sun 9am to 4pm. Closed Christmas Day 


37


RETURNING TO GIVE: 

Photo: Neil Lumsden 


REBUILDING PARADISE 

SURFERS AND SAMOAN SPORTING 

HEROES HELP REBUILD A TSUNAMI 

RAVAGED COMMUNITY. 

WORDS: BEN HORVATH 

In the final stages of Samoa’s extraordinary 32 – 23 victory over 

the Wallabies on July 17, 2011, the Samoan players ran towards a 

rainbow that hovered above the southern stands at ANZ Stadium. The 

smiles on both the players and fans faces told the story, the rainbow 

symbolised hope, renewal and healing. 

Samoans haven’t been able to smile or celebrate in unison like that 

since the devastating tsunami of September 29, 2009 that claimed 

200 lives. It is often said sport brings out the best emotions in people, 

and on that cold, wet, Saturday night in Sydney you couldn’t help 

but share in the feelings of relief and joy that permeated through the 

whole Samoan population. 

Australians are more than aware that our Pacific neighbours with a 

population of 180,000 are renowned for punching above their weight 

in union, league and soccer. 

Japan also suffered the devastation of an earthquake and a massive 

tsunami earlier this year, a tragedy not dissimilar to the one the 

Samoan people experienced in September 2009. 

The Japanese women’s football team brought joy to their recovering 

population by winning the women’s world cup in Germany just days 

after Samoa’s rugby triumph. Sporting victories have a unique way of 

unifying countries, filling people with pride, hope and joy all at once. 

High profile sporting stars are heroes and role models the world over. 

A group of famous Australian based NRL players of Samoan heritage 

led by Nigel Vagana the NRL Education and Welfare program 

manager, have graciously kicked in and joined forces with a bunch of 

Sydney surfers under the banner of Groundswell to help raise money 

for victims of the 2009 Samoan tsunami. 

Surfers are very familiar with the pristine Pacific reef breaks that pick 

up the same swells as Hawaii’s north shore in our summer months. 

Australian travellers have been venturing NE for decades now to 

enjoy the warm hospitality and uncrowded power on offer in Samoa. 

Reg Barton, Assistant Director at TAFE NSW, enjoyed an epic boat 

trip with good mate Mark Hawkins in the Mentawais in late August 

2009. When the boys returned to Sydney in September and heard 

about the earthquake that hit Padang and the nearby Mentawais 

chain they immediately wanted to return to the place they fell in love 

with on their surfing holiday and help. 

“THE VACANT SLAB THAT FORMERLY 

SERVED AS A REMINDER OF THE 

DEVASTATING TSUNAMI WAS 

REPLACED BY A SYMBOL OF HOPE” 

Reg said, “The motivation to help the Samoans originates from 

our desire to assist in Indonesia actually. You see, there was an 

earthquake deep in the Pacific Ocean in the Tongan Trench that 

triggered geographic events both to the East and West in Padang and 

Samoa. Both are in the Pacific Rim of Fire. I knew with Mark that we 

could activate some carpentry apprentices at Randwick TAFE through 

my work, but when I heard Surfaid were already active in Padang, 

Hutch (Dave Hutchison) a buddy of mine that runs The Surf Travel Co 

suggested we help the Samoan community rebuild.” 

Reg continued, “I’ve known Hutch for years. He’s been booking 

surf trips for Australians at Sinalei for over a decade. Hutch heard 


39


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BRAND 

firsthand how ravaged the community up there was 

after the tsunami. With Hutch’s assistance through 

The Surf Travel Co and with Gary McNeil and Eden 

Scallan from Formula Energy Surfboards, I was able 

to get a bunch of my apprentices up to Samoa and 

on the ground.” 

That’s pretty much how Groundswell, the not-forprofit 

organisation evolved. It really is a group who 

believe that surfers should not only participate in 

supporting people that need help, but that we have a 

responsibility to put back in. 

Groundswell formed a strong alliance with Joe 

Annandale a Samoan Chief Matai and chief of 

Poutasi Village. Groundswell made a commitment 

to support Joe’s dream of developing a model 

village. The model village hopes to connect with 

families that have moved out of the village as a 

result of the tsunami and will also focus on assisting 

disaffected youth, not only from Samoa, but from 

other Polynesian communities. The village is 

aiming to adopt a whole of life approach that will 

re-engage young people with their culture, maintain 

cultural education for infants, provide examples 

of sustainable living in the local environment, and 

provide income for the village to ensure the model is 

independent from a reliance on external funding. 

In January 2010 half a dozen self-funded Groundswell 

members travelled to Samoa to work on the first stage 

of the re-construction program. Utilising materials 

re-cycled from the tsunami the team completed work 

at the Sinalei Resort. Hard work enabled the popular 

holiday resort to re-open and again employ over sixty 

families that for six months following the tsunami had 

little or no income. 

To support the second stage of the plan that involves 

building a Cultural Arts Centre in the village of 

Poutasi, Groundswell and Nigel Vagana, backed by 

the NRL combined forces to undertake the inaugural 

Sydney Harbour Paddle. On Saturday September 25, 

2010 the first anniversary of the Samoan tsunami, 

a Groundswell team of ten surfers paddled across 

Sydney Harbour heads from Camp Cove to Manly. 

The support efforts built a strong bond and mutual 

respect between the team and the Polynesian 

community. The event raised $12,000 via sponsors, 

providing funds for a return visit to Samoa earlier 

this year in April. 

David Hutchison said, “The aid work this year 

focused on helping the people of Poutasi village in 

their rebuilding efforts. Poutasi is near Sinalei which 

is where the surf resort and Coconuts - a very hollow 

right-hander - is located. People at Sinalei lost 

families. Joe Annandale lost his wife and mother-inlaw 

which was a tragedy.” 

The Groundswell crew focused on building the 

Fatu Feu’u Art and Education Centre. This building 

is to become the centre for Polynesian artists and 

craftsmen from all over the Pacific. The centre will 

provide ongoing education in Polynesian arts and 

crafts, guaranteeing traditional skills are not lost.

Short boards, mini 

mals, mals, logs, fishes, 

alaias, whatever you 

have laying around in 

the shed or even your 

pride and joy sitting 

in the lounge room... 

We want it! 

SAVE $!! 

Trade in your old 

SURFBOARD 

against a brand new SUP, 

surfboard, kiteboard or 

other gear 

TOP LEFT: Rebuilding Sinalei ABOVE: Joe Annandale and Toby Claire LEFT: Building saw stools 

CENTRE: Coconuts view from Sinalei BELOW: The crew PHOTOS Courtesty of Surf Travel Co. , Randwick TAFE 

Poutasi village is home to an internationally renowned carver and artist, Fatu 

Feu’u after whom the centre is named. 

The crew was made up of six volunteers, two of whom had never travelled 

overseas before. The goal was to accomplish as much as physically possible in 

the two weeks they were there. 

Everyone worked incredibly hard, battling sickness and hot, humid conditions to 

bring the building to near completion in less than two weeks. Building materials 

and equipment were limited. There are no Bunning’s franchises to be seen. 

Everything was constructed by hand, right through to fabricating roof trusses. 

The team accomplished an extraordinary result under very tough conditions, and 

were able to leave a wonderful symbol of Groundswell generosity. 

The lads did get to have a few quick surfs, but there were many other special 

memories, including building saw stools with the young children and working 

side by side with the Poutasi village volunteers. 

The hospitality and gratitude shown to the team by the Poutasi community was 

overwhelming. The team were humbled by the experience and the extent of the 

cultural exchange. 

Groundswell is not just about replacing infrastructure. It is also about providing 

opportunities to both the Samoan people and to those involved in the project. All 

who participated said, “It was a rewarding, positive experience from a personal 

growth point of view. Everyone involved agreed the experience had changed 

their outlook on life”. 

After two weeks of hard work, the vacant slab that formerly served as a 

reminder of the devastating tsunami was replaced by a symbol of hope and an 

exciting future for the village of Poutasi. 

On September 24, 2011 the second Sydney harbour paddle event will be staged. 

Reg said, “The target this year is $100,000 in government grants, donations and 

sponsorship. Please check the website www.groundswellbuilds.org.au to see 

how you can support a very worthy cause. 

HOW IT WORKS... 

1. Get in touch! Either call or e-mail us 

2. Tell us about the board you want to trade and 

what new gear you’re after - SUP, surf, kite or wake! 

3. Send us a current picture of your 

board. We’ll evaluate the trade-in 

price and let you know how much it 

is worth against your purchase 

4. We agree on a price and organise the 

collection of your old surfboard and freight 

your new board or gear to your door! 

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? 

CONTACT US TODAY and trade that 

old surfboard for some new gear! 

INTERSTATE? 

NO WORRIES! 

We’ll even arrange 

freight and collection! 


41

LATEST: INTEREST 

It’s not every day you drive up to a house to be confronted by a giant wooden wave. 

Impressive inside and out, this home is simply something else. 


GRAND 

DESIGNS 

Rising up from the bushland, Jed Done’s striking house 

on the Far South New South Wales coast brings home 

what he loves most - a giant wave. The 10m timber 

wave he calls home represents countless hours of love 

and hard labour and is a true statement about the life 

of the Bushrat Surfboards innovator. 

We talk to Jed about the inspiration behind his design 

and how he went about the construction process, a 

project he pretty much undertook solo for the better 

part of three years. 

WORDS & PHOTOS: DAVE SWAN 


43


Now to qualify, Jed simply didn’t pick up a 

hammer and go will nilly. Better known to 

smorgasboarder readers as Bushrat for his 

innovative flextail surfboard designs, Jed is 

also a licensed carpenter by trade and very 

handy on the tools. He is basically one of 

those extremely talented people who are 

pretty much good at everything and to inept 

home handyman like myself, really give you 

the sh#ts. 

“The concept behind the house was born 

when I was doing some work for a local 

architect. He was really good at designing 

aesthetically pleasing homes with big 

box-like configurations. His interiors also 

worked particularly well. 

“He drew a house that kind of looked like a 

big ski jump, knowing what I would do with 

it. I sat on it for a while and thought about 

the design. He emailed me the sketched 

plan that was drawn on a computer. 

“Whilst I don’t use a shaping machine for 

my surfboards, I draw outlines and curves 

on a computer so I am familiar with the 

CAD design software. I laid his drawing out, 

overlaid my favourite surfboard templates 

over the top and thought to myself, ‘Well 

that works and I tweaked it for about a year 

and here we are.’” 

Today the house stands 10 metres tall with magnificent views to the ocean, which is around 2 kilometres 

away - a 15 minute walk through national park to Jed’s home surf break, which we will not discuss for 

fear of never being invited back. 

The interior features two bedrooms, a large open plan dining room, kitchen and living room. Downstairs 

there is a guest bathroom and a future display room for Jed’s boards, which for now, acts as a music 

room for his partner Patricia who is a piano teacher. The home has an incredibly relaxed vibe to it and is 

extremely spacious featuring magnificent hardwood timbers throughout. 

“The architect who helped me design the house offered sound words of advice. He said, ‘you should 

build a house that you are inspired, and look forward to coming home to.’” 

The house has proven to be just that, acting as a further source of inspiration to Jed’s surfboard designs. 

“The thing I like is, you have one curve in the roof and you have got the sun beaming in, at a million 

different angles, all day, every day. From my office upstairs you can look down on the grass and see 

the shadow the curved roof casts and you can see a million different outlines and bottom curves for a 

surfboard. You see a certain shadow and go, ‘Ahh, there it is.’ The shadows the roof cast are an amazing 

inspiration.” 

Patricia laughs, “Yes, it’s an obsession of Jed’s. An obsession with the curve! We had a good solid 

couple of years talking about the ‘curve’ until I had enough of it.” 

Jed chimes in with, “Well, a square one would have been too easy to build.” 

Ahh yes, and there we go showing off again. But seriously, the same committed approach applies to his 

range of Bushrat surfboards. It would be far easier, and a lot more socially acceptable, for Jed to tread 

the usual path of surfboard design and construction. But his obsession with finding the perfect surfboard 

has led him to the discovery and subsequent evolution of his flextail designs. They are something Jed 

passionately believes in, and in my humble opinion, rightly so. I just hope the majority of surfers out there 

open their mind to his surfboard designs so they can experience just how much fun they are because, 

just like Jed’s house, being adventurous can prove to be very rewarding. 


“WELL, A SQUARE ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN 

TOO EASY TO BUILD.” JED DONE ON BUILDING HIS HOME 

LEFT: Jed Done - Bushrat builder. ABOVE LEFT: The view to the ocean. ABOVE RIGHT: The lawn, 

a source of inspiration for Bushrat Surfboards. INSET: The back of the Bushratmobile, full of toys. 


45


THE BUSHRAT WAVE-HOME TIMELINE 

• Jed’s grandfather originally owned the land and there was a makeshift 

shack on the property 

• During Australia’s recession in the early ‘90s Jed had limited 

carpentry work and took to fixing up the old shack, living there for the 

next seven years 

• In 1995, he purchased the land from his grandparents 

• With the announcement of the 2000 Sydney Olympics he moved to 

the big smoke in search of work to ‘cash-up’ for his future project 

• Whilst there he hooked up with a local Maroubra kneeboarder fixing 

dings and repairing boards, a move that was to prove his inspiration 

for his future flextail designs 

• Jed moved back home after five years. White ants had eaten the 

shed and the trees had moved in, so he set up camp in a caravan 

• He first devoted his energy into building his own unique ‘surfboard 

factory’ complete with shaping bay, sanding and glassing rooms, and 

a heap of storage. Kind of open, breezy and bloody cold in winter - 

which it was when I visited - but with a hell of a lot of character 

• He started work on the house in the Autumn of 2008, taking three 

years to build it from start to finish 

• It took 6 months to construct the hardwood timber frames 

• The concrete slab was laid and once the foundation set, a crane took 

only four hours to erect the entire framework of the house 

THIS PAGE: Different views of the Bushrat 

shaping shed and Jed Bushrat at work. 

BUSHRAT BY NAME, 

BUSHRAT BY NATURE? 

We had to ask Jed about the name 

Bushrat and where it came from? 

“When I was living in the shack I 

had a mate visit from Mallacoota. 

He used to call me ‘Bushrat.’ 

“The other story is in relation to 

the many marsupial mice we have 

in these parts (Brown Antechinus 

Mice). The male only lives for 

one year and come mating time it 

gets more and more anxious. It’s 

testicles enlarge to the biggest 

body ratio size in the entire animal 

kingdom. They literally become the 

size of a bean-bag balls dangling 

down to their knees. They root 

for three days and then they die. 

They basically root themselves to 

death. They don’t drink, don’t eat, 

don’t sleep, just root with as many 

partners as possible until they keel 

over and die. 80% of the female 

mice die of heart attacks.” 

Okay then. 



47

MEET THE TALENT 

NAME: André Marsaus 

AKA: Ondi 

WHO: Co-owner of Underground 

Surf and mad surf collector 

PREVIOUSLY: World-travelling 

Chef (He even cooked for 

the Queen), Restauranteur, 

Superbike racer, Motorbike 

Racing Team Manager 

BORN: Melbourne, VIC 

LIVES: Gold Coast, QLD 

PROBLEM: A few too many 

surfboards... or not enough? 

Believe it or not, this is only a 

quarter of the collection! 

An Aragorn original... The 70’s brand has since 

been resurrected by Underground, with some new 

boards shaped by Steve ‘Zorro’ Goddard. 


SLIGHTLY 

OBSESSED 

(But in the best possible way) 

Meet Ondi and his friends 

If you’ve visited the southern end of the 

Gold Coast in the last few years, you might 

have come across the treasure trove that is 

Underground Surf in Coolangatta. Between 

all the fantastic retro and vintage boards in 

the store and the wealth of knowledge, history 

and surfing trivia, any avid collector could 

lose hours of the day swapping tales with the 

friendly owner and smorgasboarder history 

buff, André ‘Ondi’ Marsaus. 

While Ondi started his surfboard collecting 

obsession at the tender age of five, his passion 

for surfboards hasn’t died down one bit. These 

days he’ll happily chew your ear off about 

a single fin or talk for hours about the most 

minute development in surfboard design. And 

Underground Surf, which he runs with his 

partner Maree, is the perfect venue to do 

exactly that. You might even be lucky enough 

to run into a local surfing legend or two when 

you visit. 

To spread the love of board collecting, he also 

runs an annual vintage surfboard swap meet 

which not only feeds his own collection, but 

gets curious newbies hooked as well. 

Ondi gracefully took some time out to show 

us a small sample of his collection of over 300 

boards. Wow. What else can we say? 

FROM LEFT BOTTOM: Green Hohonsee 

single, Cowley single fin, Klemm Bell wasp 

stinger, Cooper bonzer, Mctavish Bluebird 

single, Mctavish bluebird kneeboard, Mctavish 

Bluebird single, Mctavish Bluebird single, 

McCoy single, McCoy twinfin, Greenough 

asymetrical singlefin, Hotstuff single, Dick 

Brewer tri-fin, Aragorn bonzer, Aragorn tri-fin, 

Hot Buttered single, Cowley single, Don Alcroft 

Sunbird single, Sky twin fin, Sky twin fin, Local 

Knowledge tri-fin, Local Knowledge tri-fin, 

Gordon & Smith quad, Gordon & Smith tri-fin, 

Simon Anderson Energy thruster 

MIDDLE: MP single, McCoy 82’ Lazor Zap, 

Hohonsee single multi 

THIRD ROW, FROM FRONT: Friar Tuck kneelo 

twin, Friar Tuck kneelo quad, Hot Buttered 

Knormal kneelo, Gordon & Smith kneelo, Local 

Knowledge twin, Local Knowledge single, 

Choobecrafted Cali twin, MP Goodtime single, 

Goodtime twin, MP Goodtime single, Furry 

Austin Goodtime single, Gordon & Smith tri-fin, 

CO2 quad fin, MR twin, MR twin, MR twin, 

Nat Young tri-fin, Hotstuff A.B. channel tri-fin, 

Gordon & Black tri-fin, Simon Anderson Energy 

thruster, Wayne Lynch single gun, Aragorn MP 

single 

BACK: Aragorn kneelo, Mcgrigor single, Erle 

Pedderson Kewara jet sandboard/scurfer, 

Gordon and Smith tri-fin, Steve Goddard tri-fin, 

Trigger Bros Kneelo. 

To talk and browse vintage boards, drop in to the store at 

3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta. www.undergroundsurf.com.au 


49

LATEST: LOCAL 

From the age of 8, Todd Mingramm grew up surfing with his dad who used to put him up the front of his malibu. His surfing quickly 

progressed. Before long he was competing in his local board riding club and by his teens interstate comps. Soon after he became a 

sponsored surfer with a couple of big name surf brands behind him and began competing internationally and doing exotic photo shoots. 

It was fun but as Todd describes it, “I was getting by on the back of my surfing, but only just.” 

TURNING POINT 

Todd injured his back fairly early on 

in his surfing career. 

“I fractured my L5 (lower vertebrae) 

jumping off a big jump rock called 

The Beast Rock down at Wattamolla 

south of Cronulla. When you are a 

teenager it was one of those things 

you had to jump off to be a man. 

"It is quite a jump and I basically 

fractured my back. It was pretty 

stupid. I could move but was in pain 

for months and didn’t find out I had a 

fracture until a couple of years later. 

“I had a couple of other problems. I 

was born with such as Scoliosis and 

Spina bifida and those back issues 

in combination with my injury... it 

was half the reason I stopped doing 

comps because I was always in pain 

and injured.” 

STARTING THE GRIND 

Todd gave up surfing competitively 

and went to work for his dad in 

the motor trade for four years. He 

started washing cars, progressed to 

an office bound job that obviously 

didn’t suit someone who loved 

being outdoors and finally became 

a wholesale rep for the company. 

It was a means to an end, helping 

him to save enough money to travel 

overseas. 

THE REVELATION 

“I landed a job in San Clemente, 

California at a surf school working 

for Jackie Baxter’s (famous 60’s 

Californian surf legend) son, Josh, 

who is a professional longboarder. 

I pretty much taught surfing over 

summer for two seasons. It brought 

me back to surfing.” 

“I just loved teaching and when I 

came back that was all I wanted to 

do. When I returned I worked for the 

Cronulla Surfing Academy owned by 

Blake Johnston, a really good surfer 

from Cronulla who was a pro surfer 

back in the day.” 

THE TRANSITION TO SUP 

“Dane Wilson got me into stand 

up. Dane’s a pro longboarder from 

Noosa who was originally from 

Cronulla... He got me into it and it 

assisted strengthening my back and 

I got addicted to it. It is so good for 

developing your core strength.” 

WHAT’S THE ADDICTIVE THING 

ABOUT SUP FOR YOU? 

“I don’t know what it is exactly but 

every time I jump on a stand up 

paddleboard it puts a smile on my 

face. I guess because I am still on a 

board in the water and I am not in 

pain. I just feel really good.” 

Regular stand up sessions combined 

with a healthy diet and Bikram Yoga 

has kept Todd in the water enjoying 

his surfing. 

“In my opinion if you don’t use it, 

you lose it. You have to try and keep 

your back strong. Stand up and yoga 

assists my core strength and the 

yoga furthers aids flexibility.” 

FUTURE PLANS 

Aside from his Cronulla Standup 

Paddleboard School Todd also owns 

the Cronulla Standup Paddleboard 

Shop. His days are spent running 

between lessons and his shop. His 

nights however are spent on his other 

love… hip-hop music. 

“My music is really my thing at the 

moment. I have been pretty hard 

at it, doing gigs and tours. It is a 

massive part of my life. I perform 

under the name Slippery MC. Stay 

tuned for an album in 6 months.” 

WWW.CRONULLASUP.COM.AU 

From surf to SUP to the stage, Todd's not been one to sit idle. Photos Supplied. 



51

LATEST: LOCAL 

Back in the very first edition of smorgasboarder, we had the 

good luck and privilege of printing some amazing surf shots from 

the Central Coast - of Kerry Down making the most of his brand 

new Black Apache Twin. And ever since those pics first flashed up 

on screen we wanted to have a chat to the man behind the lens. 

As good fortune would have it, there was a lot more to the 

snapper than just photography. It turns out he’s not only a firey 

and family man - he also has an unhealthy addiction to big waves. 

Fellow Central Coasters Aimee Sics and Grant Molony catch 

up with a man who is insane enough to ride Shipsterns Bluff in 

Tassie... holding onto a pole with a GoPro camera on it... 

WAVE 

JUNKIE 

WORDS: AIMEE SICS PHOTOS: GRANT MOLONY 

For some surfers, the day-to-day surfing routine at the local break can only meet 

their needs to a certain degree. It’s then that they go beyond the friendly waves 

to seek out the monsters of the deep. 

For Central Coast surfer, Justin Allport on his birth certificate, or Jughead, as he 

is more intimately known to the locals, jumping out of a plane may command a 

high. Working in his day-job as a fire fighter might most definitely present some 

heart-pounding situations. But nothing else gives him that adrenaline rush as 

hunting down the big ones. 


Happy days at Wyrrabalong National Park on a sunny 

Sunday with no one around. PHOTO: Grant Molony 


53

LATEST: LOCAL 

LEFT: Later that same Sunday. Grant Molony 

BELOW: Shipsterns, with polecam... Crazy? Maybe 

a little... http://vimeo.com/user1044232 

“MISADVENTURE IS THE NEW ADVENTURE...” JUGHEAD 

Your average Joe next door, Jughead is a committed 

family man, dedicated firey, keen surfer and 

photographer. But his life is far from average. One 

minute he could be at the scene of a car accident, the 

next he’s taking on a five-metre wave, sitting deep 

inside the barrel, causing onlookers to choke in terror. 

Chasing down the rush isn’t easy. Missed flights, 

excess baggage fees, shattered ribs, broken down 

cars a hundred kilometres away from the nearest tow, 

busted ear drums, countless snapped boards, lost 

luggage, stranded at foreign airports, sunken jet skis, 

angry locals with shotguns, enough stitches to sew 

a sweater and being forgotten fifty kilometres out to 

sea is all part of the adventure. 

“Misadventure is the new adventure,” say Jughead. 

“It’s all part of it!” 

When asked what has been the most frightening 

experience to date, a little chuckle and the confession 

slips that it was when his wife was in labour with 

their first child. Talk about guts. 

But the surf chasing all started by accident. After 

being taken out by a rip one day and encountering 

some huge surf, he was hooked. Now chasing the 

big waves - and venturing where few would dare - is 

what it’s all about. 

Born and bred on the NSW Central Coast, Jughead 

grew up with North Shelly beach as his backyard and 

he’s proud to say that it still is today. With a loving 

wife and three young kids, he’s one happy fella at 

home. 

So what’s his wife’s take on chasing giants? 

“She’s great. Very supportive of me when I want to 

take off to West Australia, for instance.” 

Together for 17 years and married for 12, it’s obviously 

a tribute to their strong relationship. Family holidays 

are always somewhere coastal for the beach loving 

family, and not always about big waves. 

“Coolangatta.” he says. “I love holidaying there. Great 

waves for the kids when it’s small, and theme parks 

are close by. Beautiful climate, it’s got it all.” 

Another favourite is Bali. A recent holiday there with 

a few other families meant a great mix of shopping, 

surf and kid-friendly activities - a healthy balance of 

family time and surfing. 

The thrill seeker gene has evidently been passed on 

to Charli, the eldest Allport at ten years old - currently 

winning the under 10s in the local Boardrider’s club at 

North Shelly and getting some practice in over in Bali. 

“She was the one who kept asking to go further and 

further out on bigger days!” 

With a competitive streak running through Charli, 

she’s a bit of an all-rounder at sports, excelling in 

netball, swimming and cross-country, too. Milli, a 

little younger competes in Boardrider’s also, “She 

just loves doing it because her older sister does. But 

she is good and loves riding all types of waves - fat, 

sucky, big and small.” 

At home, the surf-family-work equilibrium does take 

time to work out, but is ultimately, family comes first. 

“Weekends can get difficult as the kids want to hang 

out with their friends. So taking them surfing all 

together is a bonus, not to mention good fun!” 

Jughead’s shift work gives him the chance to surf 

when the kids are at school. And even if the waves 

aren’t gigantic, it’s not just an adrenalin thing. 

“It’s more of an escape,” he tells us. “Surfing two 

foot waves by myself can sometimes be all it takes 

to relax.” 

But the adrenaline won’t stop running. Jughead 

states he may “get more cautious”, but even then, “It 

might just mean a smaller wave will get the adrenalin 

pumping, which is good because it’s easier to find 

smaller waves!” 

So what else does this family man do for an adrenalin 

kick then, when it’s cold, miserable and the beach 

resembles a lake? Bungee jump? 

“I was going to once, but then I gave the money to 

a mate. I would do it, but it’s not something I think I 

would love to do in order to get that rush.” 

It ultimately comes back to the ocean though. 

Jughead and his camaraderie of other big wave 

chasers and photographers are always watching the 

charts, ready to shuffle every day life out of the way 

for a bit… 

There’s nothing like returning home to the family though. 

“I do love the adrenalin those trips give me, but I 

definitely miss the family more than I miss the waves.” 

And for the absolute wind-down, Jug says there’s 

nothing like a good coffee and some games. “I’m a bit 

of a Monopoly king!” 

Well coffee gets the heart rate going. Not to sure 

about Monopoly, but each to their own, hey! 

For killer video footage of Jughead surfing 

everywhere from Shipsterns to his backyard, check 

out his very cool video channel on Vimeo at 

vimeo.com/user1044232 

For more of Grant Molony’s great photography, see 

grantmolonyphoto.blogspot.com 



55

LATEST: DEBATE 

OUR RESIDENT SHARK-ADDICT, DAVE THE GIANT CHICKEN, ASKS 

SOME SCARY QUESTIONS AND GETS SOME BLOODY GOOD ANSWERS. 

WORDS: DAVE SWAN, with contributions from JOHN WEST, BRETT BAM, MARK ADDISON 

You’ve just caught a wave and are paddling back out. You have a strange feeling something else is there 

with you. An innate sense, some describe as our ‘sixth sense’ telling you: “You are not alone.” 

I’ve heard a lot of people say, “trust your instincts”. If you sense something in the water, you are 

probably right and it’s best you get out of there. But if that were true, for me, I would never get a surf 

in. I always feel like there is something there. If I trusted my so-called ‘instincts’, the minute I got wet, 

I would be back on the beach drying myself off. If this notion is indeed correct, I am a shark magnet 

because every time I surf there must be one right alongside of me. I am like the Dr Doolittle of the sea. 

Yes, as you guessed it, I have a shark phobia, a fear of sharks known as Selachophobia. Yes, I am soft. 

But I’m not alone. Many people, and indeed many surfers, suffer from such a fear of sharks. These 

beasts of the deep have the ability to play on our minds. 

Sure, more people may die each year from bee stings or lightning strikes or falling coconuts, as we are 

so often told, but quite frankly, the mere sight of a bee doesn’t send me into a state of panic. I don’t see 

a bee and go, “Oh crap!” The same goes for coconuts, quite the opposite in fact. 

And is this an accurate comparison anyhow? Let’s face it; despite the enormous rise in popularity of 

surfing, there are a hell of a lot more people walking around vulnerable to the attack of a bee then there 

are people in the ocean. Whilst a bee sting may unfortunately prove lethal to some of us, that very bee is 

not going to tear us apart, limb from limb, and eat us alive. 

And then there’s the dilemma that, if you are extremely unlucky enough to get attacked, how the hell do 

you bring yourself to get back into the water? Surely there is no worse way to go than being eaten by a 

shark. It’s this fear that possibly drives our morbid fascination with sharks and indeed shark attacks, no 

matter how unlikely they may be. Let’s hear from everyday surfers as well as the experts about sharks 

and their at times tenuous relationship with surfers. 


Photo: Hayden O’Neill 


57


Cases 

PERTH 

DARWIN 

Distribution of Australian shark attacks, 1791–2009. 

Each attack is represented by a black dot. 

Australian Shark Attack File - Taronga Zoo 

ADELAIDE 

Suprising results... The times that reported shark attacks have occured between 1990 and 2009. 

18 

16 

14 

12 

10 

8 

6 

4 

2 

0 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

Time (Hours) 

Number of shark attacks for each state of Australia (1990-2009), including number of fatalities, injuries, or where 

the person was uninjured and the location of the last fatality since 1990. Australian Shark Attack File - Taronga Zoo 

STATE TOTAL CASES FATAL ATTACKS INJURED UNINJURED LAST FATALITY (SINCE 1990) 

NSW 73 2 45 26 2008, Ballina, Lighthouse Beach 

QLD 43 5 32 6 2006, North Stradbroke Island 

WA 35 6 23 6 2005, Houtman Abrolhos Islands 

SA 20 8 11 1 2005, Glenelg Beach 

VIC 12 0 5 7 

TAS 2 1 1 0 1993, Tenth Is, Georgetown 

NT 1 0 0 1 

TOTAL 186 22 117 47 

MELBOURNE 

HOBART 

SYDNEY 

Since 2009, there have been a further two fatalities in WA and one in SA, most recently a 21-year-old bodyboarder, in Bunker Bay, WA. 

BRISBANE 

We figured that we may as well start 

with an informed view, so we went 

straight to the experts. 

Resident shark expert at Taronga Zoo, 

John West is the Manager of Life 

Sciences Operations and Coordinator 

of the Australian Shark Attack File. 

“Shark attacks will persist as long as 

humans continue to enter the habitat 

of the shark,” he states. “However, it 

is important to keep shark attacks in 

perspective. There is an average of 

87 people that drown at Australian 

beaches per year (ref: Surf Life 

Saving Australia 2010) yet there is 

only an average of 12 unprovoked 

shark attack incidents, including 1.1 

fatalities, per year over the last two 

decades. 

“It is clear that the risk of being 

bitten or dying from an unprovoked 

shark attack in Australia remains 

extremely low.” 

Good to know... John recently 

published a paper on the changing 

patterns of shark attacks in Australian 

waters. We asked him a couple of 

questions in relation to all manner of 

things to do with sharks. 

Are shark numbers dwindling? Is 

this the case with large predatory 

sharks such as Great Whites, 

Tigers and Bull sharks? 

[JW] Sharks generally are under a 

lot of fishing pressure around the 

world and commercial fisheries have 

experienced downturns in catches to 

varying degrees. The practice of finning 

sharks and discarding the shark’s body 

has severely impacted on many shark 

species. However, of the three species 

you note, only the White shark is 

protected because of declines in their 

population. The Tiger and Bull sharks in 

Australia are not known to have been 

adversely impacted by commercial 

fishing at this time but have been in 

other parts of the world. 

If the numbers are dwindling, 

why does there appear to be an 

increased number of incidents 

involving Great Whites in Western 

Australia for example? 

[JW] In the recent paper I published 

I discussed the increase in shark 

attacks specifically over the last 20 

years and the correlation between 

the increasing population and water 

use (particularly surfers) in Australia. 

Surfers have had a 300% increase 

in attacks compared to the previous 

20 year period. But again it reflects 


the increase in people in the water and 

the wide spread use of wetsuits that 

allow more people to spend more time in 

cooler waters than ever before. 

Sharks have been on this earth for 400 

million years and humans for around 

200 thousand years. However, it is only 

in the last century that people have 

regularly entered the ocean on mass 

to swim. Sharks have not eaten people 

regularly, nor are humans in the water 

for long enough to allow sharks to eat 

humans consistently to include us in 

their natural diet. In some cases sharks 

have consumed humans but this is a rare 

event. If sharks did eat humans as part 

of their natural diet there would be tens 

of thousands of people attacked every 

year and this clearly does not occur. 

Is there an increased presence of 

Bull sharks in our canals, river and 

estuary systems? 

[JW] To my knowledge the Bull shark 

has not increased in numbers in their 

natural habitat. There is a lot more 

research happening these days due to 

a Bull shark attack on a Navy diver in 

Sydney Harbour in Feb 2009 and acoustic 

tracking has produced some great results 

on their movement up and down the 

east coast. Again, more people in the 

water does increase the risk and with 

the advent of man-made canals in QLD 

they are a great place for Bull sharks to 

grow up and feed and as they get bigger. 

They have been known to bite humans 

swimming in those canals. 

Taronga Zoo maintains records on 

shark related incidents in Australia. 

Is it conceivable that there are some 

cases that go unreported and that 

indeed more people fall victim to 

shark attacks than those recorded? 

[JW] I can only speak about the last 

30 years that I have been investigating 

shark attacks. It is inconceivable that 

a shark attack could go unnoticed in 

Australia as these days the media are 

usually informed by a mobile phone call 

almost immediately. 

Over the years there have been a few 

people - mostly shark hunters - that have 

a vested interest in promoting paranoia 

about sharks within the general public 

claiming that anyone who ever went to 

a beach and goes missing was killed 

by a shark and that is a preposterous 

suggestion. There needs to some 

accountability for what people say. 

These people clearly are not accountable 

and will say anything to promote 

themselves or their business. 

From John West’s paper on Changing patterns of 

shark attacks in Australian waters. 

• Records of shark attacks in Australia have been kept since 

the early days of settlement (first attack recorded in 1791). 

To standardise reporting, the Australian Shark Attack File 

(ASAF) was developed in 1984. 

• A ‘shark attack’ is defined as any human–shark interaction, 

where either a shark makes a determined attempt to 

attack a person who is alive and in the water, or the shark 

attacks equipment held by the victim or a small-water craft 

containing the victim. 

• Incidents classified as ‘provoked’ are not included in the 

present paper such as where the person was fishing for, 

spearing, handling a shark etc. 

• Since 1900 there have been 540 recorded unprovoked 

attacks, including 153 fatalities, 302 injuries and 85 

incidents where no injury occurred. 

• In the first half of the 20th century, there was an increase in 

the number of recorded shark attacks, culminating in a peak 

in the 1930s when there were 74 incidents. The number of 

attacks then dropped, to stabilize to 35 incidents per decade 

from the 1940s to the 1970s. 

• Between 1990–1999, there has been a 16% increase in 

reported attacks, with a 25% increase in the past 10 years. 

• Since 1990, 12 species of shark were identified as 

responsible for unprovoked attacks. The three species 

historically considered to represent the biggest threat to 

humans (the White, Tiger and Bull shark combined) represent 

48% of attacks. A further 20% of attacks was attributed to 

the whaler group and 20% for the Wobbegong shark. 

• Because of increased activities occurring in cooler waters all 

year round, 49% of all shark-attack victims were wearing a 

wetsuit. There is no suggestion that wetsuits are the cause of 

the attack, but rather their use has allowed people to extend 

their time in the water, increasing the risk of encountering a 

shark attack. 

• Of the 54 incidents where a physical diversionary action was 

taken by the victim, 32% reported no change to the attack 

behaviour. 

• The commonly held belief you were more susceptible to 

attack at dawn or dusk due to sharks’ nocturnal feeding 

behaviour is not necessarily true. Of the three main groups 

of sharks implicated in attacks, each are relatively evenly 

represented throughout the day suggesting sharks are often 

opportunistic and inquisitive regardless of the time of day. 

• The popularity of surfing in current-day Australia was 

highlighted in a 2005–2006 survey, which estimated that 

12% of the adult population of Australian cities participated 

in surfing, resulting in 1.68 million recreational surfers. 

(www.surfersvillage.com, 10 June 2009). Applying a 20% 

increase, similar to the percentage increase recorded for 

beach visitations, it’s conservatively estimated that there 

were 2.061 million recreational surfers in Australia in 2009. 

• There has been a 310% increase in shark attacks on surfers 

since 1999 that appear to be primarily due to the increased 

popularity of surfing. 

• Analysis of the distribution of shark attacks indicates that 

91% in the past two decades have occurred away from 

the major population centres, along the eastern coast 

where shark-control programs are not deployed. This may 

be interpreted as highlighting the efficiency of the various 

shark-meshing programs in reducing shark attacks. 

ONLY THREE SPECIES 

OF SHARK HAVE BEEN 

RESPONSIBLE FOR 

FATAL ATTACKS OVER 

THE PAST 20 YEARS. 

• WHITE SHARK, with an 

increase from 24 incidents 

during the previous two decades 

to 55 incidents, including 15 

fatalities, 23 injuries and 17 

uninjured incidents 

• BULL SHARK, with an increase 

from three incidents during 

the previous two decades to 

25 incidents, including four 

fatalities, 15 injuries and six 


• TIGER SHARK, with a 

decrease from 14 incidents for 

the previous two decades down 

to 10 incidents, including three 

fatalities, two injuries and five 


• Of the 15 fatalities attributed to 

White sharks, seven involved a 

single bite and seven resulted 

from multiple bites. 

• Over 80% of incidents involved 

White sharks and Tiger sharks 

larger than 3m. For Bull sharks, 

78% of incidents involved 

sharks larger than 2m. 

• The activities of victims 

(1990–2009) were recorded 

for 186 incidents, of which 78 

(42%) occurred while surfing on 

a board or body board. 


59

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Passionate conservationist BRETT BAM - owner/operator of Liquid 

Getaway, a whale watching and marine tourism business on the Sunshine 

Coast, feels very strongly about our role and responsibility on protecting 

these creatures. 

“Australia has 35 000 kms of beaches with 166 species of sharks living in the 

water off those beaches. Most of these are completely harmless and would 

never bite anything as large and dangerous as Homo sapiens. 

“Once you take into account all the facts, you begin to realise that sharks are 

specifically not hunters of men. If sharks really were man eaters, then men 

would not be able to surf or dive or even swim in the sea, because we would be 

constantly eaten by the oceans supreme predator. 

“In fact, the reverse is true. We prey on sharks, and kill them in their millions. 

Nobody knows what the exact figure is, but it is estimated to be in excess of 

100 million sharks killed by humans every year. We kill them in a wide variety of 

cruel ways, the cruelest of which is by far - shark-finning. 

“This is very dangerous behaviour for an environmentally enlightened 

society to undertake. We are causing a rather large dent in the worlds shark 

population. If we succeed in making the shark an endangered species (and 

they are literally racing towards extinction in this generation), we effectively 

remove the apex predator from the environment. This has far reaching 

consequences. The sharks stop hunting and populations they previously kept 

in check rage out of control and decimate other populations further down the 

food chain. This knock on effect will eventually have a dramatic influence on 

the oceans and could even lead to a complete collapse of the ecosystem. And 

we all know how dependent humans are on the oceans. 

“As always, it starts with us and our attitude. We have to accept the shark as 

our friend, rather than as the terrible killer it has always been portrayed as. It 

is easy to turn the shark into a villain because they are hardly cute and cuddly 

animals, but they are in desperate need of our protection. 

“I made contact with one of the world leaders in shark research, South African 

Mark Addison. He has spent decades swimming with sharks. His predominant 

attitude is one of awe and amazement, not fear. He talks about what you 

should do if approached by a large shark.” 



FIJI 

Tavarua Island Resort 

Namotu Island Resort 

Plantation Island Resort 

Walu Beach Resort 

Mamanuca Island Group – 

West Coast Fiji 

Sonaisali Island Resort 

Intercontinental Fiji Golf & Spa 

Viti Levu – South West Coast 

Mainland 

Hideaway Resort 

Waidroka Bay Resort 

Matanivusi Surf Resort 

Viti Levu – Coral Coast 

Mainland 

Mark Addison underwater with 

a Great White. Photo supplied 

by bluewilderness.co.za 

Yanuca Island 

East Coast Fiji 

Naninya Island Resort 

Cape Washington 

Kadavu Fiji 

MARK ADDISON Heads Blue 

Wilderness, a dynamic underwater 

filming logistics and expedition 

company operating out of Kwa-Zulu 

Natal in South Africa. 

“I will just start off by saying that 

clearly one approach may not fit 

each species and each encounter 

as there are so many variables but 

some of the insights I have gleaned 

may be of some value the next time 

a surfer comes into contact with a 

shark and wonders what to do to 

influence the outcome. 

“We know that the small Tiger 

sharks encountered inshore pose 

little or no risk to surfers. In terms 

of their life cycle, they are merely 

hiding from other sharks and taking 

advantage of soft foods such as 

rays and fish. Further to this, even 

the bigger Tigers are incredibly 

cautious and you would probably 

be on your next wave before it 

made any significant approach in 

your direction, even with a long lull 

between sets. The Tiger however 

is a shark that often investigates 

things before it makes an effort 

to swallow it and thus this needs 

attention in terms of how to avoid it 

taking the next step. 

“Blacktips on the other hand are 

much more nosey and would 

approach readily if in numbers. They 

need a big pack before they get 

brave and are feeding on small fish 

and rays so they really do not see a 

surfer as a possible meal. That said 

they are equally unable to resist 

the temptation of investigating a 

splash and this obviously brings 

them into consideration when you 

are scratching for a wave. I have 

not found this species to try to 

‘investigate’ objects. It is rather 

a ‘bite first, ask questions later’ 

approach to feeding. 

“White sharks are very curious and 

will bite any object in the water to 

better understand what it is. This 

is obviously a risk to something 

as puny as a human and has 

subsequently earned them the tag 

of “man-eater” when in fact it is 

more accurate to refer to them as 

“man-spitter-outers”. They mouth 

and spit out, but that could be a 

bite through a femoral artery, or it 

could be at a remote beach with no 

potential medical assistance. 

“What I have noticed is that even 

Whites will make two or three 

investigatory circuits of the object of 

curiosity. These investigatory circles 

begin wide and then narrow down 

to the point of contact. If you either 

catch a wave or approach at this 

time, it is often enough to negate 

any further approach by the animal. 

“The problem in many of the cases, 

is that the surfer has no sighting of 

the animal before the last, and now 

deliberate contact. For me, attack 

is the best form of defense with 

sharks and I would approach - not 

flailing wildly however - and own 

the space. 

“The key for me, when in the water 

with the above mentioned sharks, 

and the Bull shark, is clearly to own 

the space. This is easy when you 

are snorkeling as you are sighted 

and thus you can make eye contact 

with the animal which is usually 

enough but in a slightly boisterous 

shark you need to escalate the 

encounter to move into its space 

and dominate. Much like the 

neighbours dog, which will terrorise 

you if it detects you are nervous 

or scared, but is putty if you are 

confident and dominant. 

“When surfing, you are unsighted 

and distracted. I am not sure you 

have the time to implement my 

suggestions and are probably in a 

struggle for life and limb. If you can 

see the animal then own the space, 

if you can not, then opt for the 

‘Beam me up, Scotty’ option and get 

the next wave to shore.” 

Tau Surf Charters 

Remote Islands of Fiji 




02 9222 8870 





61



IT’S HARD NOT TO BE GRIPPED 

BY A TALE OF AN ENCOUNTER. 

HERE ARE A FEW TALES AND 

THOUGHTS ON SHARKS THAT 

HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH US ON 

OUR TRAVELS ALONG THE COAST. 

Squizzy Taylor 

John Morgan, Maddog Surf Centre, Byron Bay 

As a father of three myself, it goes without saying 

that Father’s Day is full of surprises. John Morgan 

however got a little bit more of a surprise on Father’s 

Day in 2008. Trying out his new SUP at Clarkes 

Beach he had just caught a wave and was heading 

back when he came a cropper going over a break. He 

felt a swirl under his board, immediately sensed it 

was a shark and subsequently became the first man 

to ski with a SUP. 

John had inadvertently hooked his leg rope to a 

3 metre shark who towed him out to sea whilst 

he clambered to stay on the back of his SUP as 

he travelled backwards at the rate of knots. John 

recounts the story, “It took all my strength to hold 

on and stop from slipping off the board. There was 

whitewater coming off the back of the board. It was 

really hard to stay on which was sort of uncool you 

know.” 

Jed Done, Bushrat Surfboards 

Surfing alone is par for the course down Jed’s way on 

the Far South Coast of New South Wales. Do sharks 

play on his mind? Jed gives us his perspective. 

“I have seen quite a few but the surf is too good to let it 

phase you too much. You think about them but you kind 

of get used to it.” 

“The biggest White I have seen was at the Merimbula 

Bar. It was a good 4 to 5 meters and coming straight at 

us. There was about 30 to 40 people in the lineup. 80% 

turned around and went in. I stayed in with a couple of 

mates. It went past one way, came back, went under 

us… it’s fin would have been as thick as this longneck.” 

Yes we were drinking beer when Jed told this story. A 

good shark story cannot be told without one. Plus the 

longknecks helped to graphically represent the size of 

the shark. 

“I have had another smaller White swim a couple of 

feet beneath me, roll and have a good long look at me. I 

saw the big black eye. 

“But honestly, Whites don’t attack people, in my mind. 

They just have a curious inspection of what you are. Too 

many people get away. You hear on the news, ‘A surfer 

was attacked by a Great White... and he managed to get 

away.’ He didn’t get attacked by a 5-metre White. The 

shark was just curious and gave him a bit of a nudge. 

“It’s like saying ‘I just had a fight with this gigantic guy 

at the pub and got away with it.’ He was just politely 

telling you to get lost.” 

Brian ‘Squizzy’ Taylor, highly respected Yorke 

Peninsula, South Australian surfer 

“The reality of it is, I have surfed for nearly 35 

years and maybe twice I have had to get out of 

the water. Like anything, you just read the signs. 

If there are lots of fish about, lots of birds, seals 

shooting off in different directions and lots of 

things happening in the water, you go safety first. 

“One of those occasions was years ago down 

at Victor Harbor. There was 12 of us out in the 

water and we had to clear out. A big White 

Pointer came across the sand bank towards us 

and we managed to paddle about 60m to a rocky 

headland and scampered up the rocks. 

“We were lucky because it was the start of 

summer and the government was performing 

helicopter beach surveillance. The helicopter 

starting circling and got closer and then over the 

loud hailer said, ‘Get out of the water. There is 

a large shark nearby.’ Within them finishing that 

sentence, this shark appeared across the next set 

of waves. It was a good 4 to 5 meters. 

“That beach and the neighbouring beach used to 

have tonnes of salmon in their day through the 

‘70s and early ‘80s but those beaches have been 

fairly heavily fished out now. 

“I guess being a South Australian surfer you are 

always surfing rather remote areas and have to 

be careful. It’s a bit of a lottery isn’t it. You go out 

and surf all the time and sooner or later you are 

going to encounter something. Down here you 

often surf on your own and you really do increase 

your chances.” 

ABOVE: Jed Bushrat in an aerial shark-dodge 

Lewis Dowie, Kangaroo Island, South Australia, 

September 2005 

Lewis Dowie’s personal account of the attack on 

his mate, Josh Berris, shows you can’t always 

read the signs. 

“We always had the theory that if the seals got 

out of the water there was a shark around but in 

this instance they didn’t, so that theory kind of 

fell through. 

“There were six of us out; me, my brother 

Nathan, my dad Dave, a family friend Lee, Josh 

and his mate Shane. We were surfing a pretty 

remote break on Kangaroo Island. It’s a long walk 

in and the break is right in the middle of a seal 

colony. The take off zone is actually right where 

the seals are playing around. 

“We had been in the surf about an hour when it 

happened. Josh was probably the farthest out 

near my dad and Lee. Nathan, Shane and I were 

a fair way further in. 

“I think I remember Josh giving a bit of yell and 

the shark’s head coming out of the water and 

him trying to push it away. At that point, me, my 

brother and Shane bailed and caught the same 

wave in so we didn’t really see anything else. It 

was a reflex action to get out of there straight 

away without even thinking about it. 

“It was only about a 20 to 30m paddle straight 

in. But where the wave breaks it does drop off 

pretty quickly. 

“Talking to the other guys, the shark had 

apparently come up, had an initial go at Josh and 

he basically pushed it off. It then came back and 

knocked him off his board. It grabbed a hold of 

his board and started thrashing around with it. 

Josh was getting dragged along for a bit before 

he managed to get his legrope off. The older guy, 

Lee, then paddled over to Josh, got him onto his 

board and caught a wave into the rocks. 

“Josh was pretty lucky. He only received a couple 

of long gashes on the front of both his shins. 

My brother and I had meanwhile grabbed some 

towels and leggies and ran over to where they 

came in. 

“Dad and Lee managed to bandage him up 

with towels and shirts, while my brother and 

I ran back to the cars to call the ambos and 

helicopter.” 


63


PHOTO: Hermanus Backpackers 

We hear from John Hinks, a 

professional fisherman and surfer 

from Port Lincoln in South Australia, 

who, due to the nature of his work, 

sees these big ones more than most. 

With an average full-grown length 

of about 4-5m and weighing in at 

just over a ton, most experts contend 

a White’s maximum size is about 

6m (20 ft), with a maximum weight 

of about 1,900 kilograms - almost 

2 tons, while the Guinness Book of 

World Records lists the largest one 

caught in Australia at 11m (36 ft) 

captured near Port Fairy in the 1870s. 

Great Whites can detect your 

slightest movement through their 

Ampullae of Lorenzini, special 

sensing organs that detect the 

electromagnetic field emitted by the 

movement of living animals 

They can detect half a billionth of a 

volt, which is equivalent to detecting 

a flashlight battery from 1,600 

kilometres away, so you can run, 

(swim) but you can’t hide. They can 

detect your heart beat so if you have 

just seen one, your ticker is probably 

acting as a giant homing beacon. 

But these organs are used locate 

prey far away. They then use smell 

and hearing to further verify that the 

target is food. At close range, the 

shark utilises sight for the attack. 

Despite the common myth that Great 

Whites are non-thinking, instinctdriven, 

eating machines studies have 

indicated they possess powerful 

problem-solving skills. 

In 1987, near Smitswinkle Bay, 

South Africa, a group of up to 

seven Great White sharks worked 

together to relocate the partially 

beached body of a dead whale to 

deeper waters to feed. 

Despite being pretty much numero 

uno in the ocean, Whites can fall 

victim to one other bad boy of the sea, 

the Orca. Search for “Shark Orca” on 

YouTube to see some Killer Whales 

with a penchant for white meat. 

The only species of shark protected in 

Australia is the Great White and the 

Grey Nurse. 

“I am a pro tuna fisherman so I see a fair few Great Whites. 

The last time I had an encounter was in a small dinghy. I was 

drift fishing a couple of miles offshore. It was a nice glassy, 

calm afternoon. I saw the tip of a fin cut through the water 

about a 100 metres away. It came closer and closer until I 

could see the shape underneath it. I thought, ‘Oh yeah, that’s 

a Pointer.’ It came a bit closer and turned out to be 16 footer. It 

was roughly 3 feet longer than my 13 foot dinghy. 

“Anyhow, it just had this pattern it followed. They do it every 

time. He would swim 100ft in front of my boat, head straight 

towards me, fin out of the water, roll sideways and look me in 

the eye and go behind my boat. Head 100ft in front of the boat, 

straight towards me and swing back around the boat. I reckon 

they have good visibility. He knew what I was. 

“It was doing this for about 40 minutes and I was really 

enjoying the show. But I then realised these circles were 

getting tighter and tighter and tighter and then I hit the panic 

button. I thought, ‘Shit, I just might make a phone call here’ 

and as soon as I grabbed my mobile, he was chewing on 

my outboard. It was just: Bang! Bang! Bang! Side to side. I 

dropped the phone. I was just hanging on, squatting in the 

dinghy thinking, ‘you idiot. You’ve left this too late.’ 

“I’m watching my mobile slide from side to side on the 

bottom of the dinghy. It finishes with the outboard and then 

comes along the side of the boat and starts rocking it with its 

pectoral and side fin. 

“Then the whole circus started again. It went a 100ft in front of 

the dinghy but this time it came straight at the dinghy and was 

pushing a bow wave and I just thought, ‘Ohh, I have to get out 

of here.’ I started the outboard. It started first time thankfully. I 

went a couple of kilometers, pulled up and grabbed my phone 

to tell a mate what had just happened and bloody hell, it’s on 

the move and coming at me again. I put the phone down and 

got the hell out of there. Further on, I came across a mate of 

mine who is also a pro fisherman. I pull over and he says, ‘You 

look like you’ve seen a White Pointer.’” 

We often hear of sharks mistaking us for prey? 

“Does prey look like a 13 foot dinghy with an outboard? He 

knew I was pulling fish and there was plenty of vibration on 

my line. He was inquisitive and then he became frustrated. It 

didn’t want the King George Whiting. It wanted me. I am not 

a disbeliever they will occasionally mistake you for prey. But I 

also believe that like anything that lives, they get hungry. If you 

are in the wrong place at the wrong time, they will eat you.” 

Have you had an encounter surfing? 

“My favourite waves are up in The Great Australian Bight. Last 

autumn we got chased in. The boys and me are sitting on the 

bowl. There was 5 or 6 of us out there. I am sitting a bit wider 

than them. They have that look on their face. ‘Johno, we just 

seen one. 30 foot over there. It’s time to go in.’ 

“I was on the back of the pack thinking, ‘Why am I always on 

the back of the pack?’ The same thing happened the autumn 

before. When you see a fin in The Bight you generally know 

it is a fin of consequence. You go in and don’t stuff around. 

But as usual, there’s never a wave in sight when these things 

happen. 

“I have the up most respect for Pointers. If I ever got knocked 

off by one, I would be irate if they hunted it down. We play 

in their domain. That is our choice. Sometimes you are in the 

wrong place at the wrong time. That’s all there is to it. Bang, 

you’re gone.’ 

“Respect the ocean and respect what is in the ocean. Those 

big fish are in there for survival and it is their playground.” 

Any places you wouldn’t surf? 

“Ohhh well... you know... no, there probably isn’t. There is an 

island out from Port Lincoln. Great wave, sharkiest spot. There’s 

a few tuna farms only a mile away from the takeoff. The tuna 

guys will duck over after feeding the fish and tell us how many 

big ones are about just as we enter the water. We’re just like, 

‘Righto, keep your eyes on the barrel, keep surfing.’” 

Have shark dives heightened Great White curiosity? 

“Those blokes go past me each day in summer when I’m 

fishing. They run an incredibly successful operation and 

provide an incredible experience for the divers that go down 

in the cage. As a surfer, you would have to be a fearless to 

ever want to do that. Once you have seen one that close, it is 

a much harder picture to put out of your mind when surfing. 

Everyone is different but surely seeing a 15-foot shark in attack 

mode must leave a lasting impression. That is a living dinosaur 

right there. 

“Have these dives played a part in the sharks’ curiosity in 

humans? Definitely so.” 


65

Are White Pointers in decline, in 

your opinion? 

“There are certainly no less White 

Pointers around the West Coast and 

South Australia. They are more stories 

about them all the time. As a surfer I 

don’t want to see them. But surfing and 

fishing these parts, you see them. 

“They are such an incredible thing to 

see. They are like a whale with teeth. 

You are looking at this thing and it 

is just huge. It’s quite a euphoric 

experience... when you are not 

surfing. 

“When you see a whale you never tire 

of seeing that majestic creature in the 

water. Pointers are kind of like that. 

“Tuna fishing in Point Lincoln, there’s 

more and more of them each year 

and each year they will be around the 

harvest boats, all hungry.” 

The Shark Shield device? 

“Security blanket. Like wearing a 

bandaid in the water. Think of a 

creature that weighs over a tonne, 

coming at battle ramp speed that 

has decided it’s going to make a hit. 

Think of the momentum when it’s at 

full speed flying. Do you think it can 

stop and go in reverse whilst in attack 

mode? I believe these pods work at a 

6ft distance before the shark gets a 

bit of a sting off them.” 

Do you believe in rogue sharks? 

“I just think when a shark is ready and 

he wants to feed – just don’t be there.” 

Do you believe some shark 

attacks go unreported? 

“The ocean holds a lot of secrets. 

Anyone that is lost at sea in these 

parts, I don’t fancy their chances of 

not getting a visitor...“ 

There may be 3-4 species of sharks 

responsible for accidental attacks on 

humans but there are over 166 species 

of sharks living off Australia’s 35,000 km 

of beaches. Most of these species are 

completely harmless. 

• Ironically it’s the human consumption 

of sharks that may determine the 

ultimate fate of the species. 

• It is estimated over 100 million 

sharks are removed from the oceans 

worldwide every year. 

• As a result, more than 100 shark 

species are listed as exploited. 

• Scores are either endangered or 

threatened. 

• It is reported in the Mediterranean 

Sea, sharks such as the Mako and 

Hammerhead have declined in 

number by more than 95% in the 

last 30 years. 

• In the Gulf of Mexico, home to a 

number of large sharks such as the 

Great White, there’s been a reported 

75% drop in the last 15 years. 

• Western fishermen often 

supplement their income with the 

accidental netting of sharks within 

their catch. Surely, most of us have 

had fish’n’chips at some time. Well, 

this is often ‘flake’, which is shark. 

• But most of the exploitation of 

sharks is due to the cruel practice of 

‘finning’, where the shark’s fins are 

sliced off and the shark then thrown 

back into the water to sink to the 

bottom. Unable to swim, the shark 

drowns. 

• This inhumane practice is to simply 

feed the need for shark fin soup 

in many Asian countries, namely 

China and Hong Kong. The soup is 

considered an aphrodisiac. 

• Those who doubt how cruel the 

practice of shark-finning is should 

watch this clip. www.sharks.org/ 

sri-main-blog/241-recipe-for-sharkfin-soup.html 

• The shark, this amazing apex 

predator that has been in our oceans 

for some 400 million years, just may 

be struck down by humans in less 

than 100. 

When you consider these damning facts, 

what does this say about humans? Rightly 

or wrongly sharks may attack us, but the 

likelihood is extremely remote. 

Sharks, on the other fin, have more to 

fear about us, than we do from them. 

The most unfortunate outcome of human interactions with sharks is 

obviously the loss of human life. These are a few unhappy tales. 


If we haven’t entirely put you off surfing all together with the intriguing 

facts, figures, statistics and stories contained in this piece, that’s good. 

At least that makes one of us. 

On a serious note though, your chances of getting attacked by a shark 

are extremely rare. Just be sure to always have your wits about you and 

don’t take any unnecessary risks. By taking a common sense approach to 

your surfing, you can just about ensure you continue to enjoy the ocean 

for all the joy she brings. 

Other than that, try and always surf with a mate who is a slower 

swimmer than you. Remember, it is not a question of whether you can 

outswim the shark, just whether you can outswim your mate. Why the 

hell do you think I surf with Mark all the time? 

If you are fascinated by sharks, here are some websites you may find 

interesting for further reading. 

Shark facts and conservation 

www.taronga.org.au/animals-conservation/conservation-science/australianshark-attack-file/australian-shark-attack-file 

(The Australian Shark Attack File) 

www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISAF/ISAF.htm (International Shark Attack File) 

www.sharks.org (Shark Research Institute) 

www.seashepherd.org 

www.whitesharktrust.org 

www.bluewilderness.co.za 

The chilling and macabre 

www.sharkattacksurvivors.com 

www.swimatyourownrisk.com 

www.fearbeneath.com 

www.jawshark.com 

www.sharkattacks.com 

www.sharkattackphotos.com 

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69


Maurice scores a throaty one 

and spreads his wings 

TRAVEL: PLANE TRIP 

SURF★CHILE 

A SOUTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE 

Joel Coleman of Saltmotion Gallery in Manly sure gets around. In a good way, that is. He’s 

chalked up more international travel time in a few short months than most people get to do in a 

lifetime. Fortunately for the less fortunate, he’s a master of the lens and handy with a pen. 

Well, laptop really - the figurative pen... 

If you enjoyed his laidback discoveries in the Solomon Islands last edition, hold onto your hat 

as he heads to South America to discover some unridden waves in the cold waters of the aptly 

named Republic of Chile. With 6,435 kilometres of Pacific coastline - running around half the 

length of the entire South American continent - there’s definitely plenty of choice to enjoy. 

WORDS & PHOTOS: JOEL COLEMAN 


71

I started going to a ‘Yoga for Surfers’ class in 

Sydney a few years ago. At first I thought the 

teacher was from Brazil, I was wrong. 

After attending Maurice’s classes regularly for 

some time and getting to know him a little, he 

let on that he was off for a few months to Chile, 

his homeland. He jokingly invited me to come 

over and surf with him for a few weeks. I let the 

invite slide. 

Twelve months later and Maurice mentioned 

again that he was heading on his annual 

pilgrimage to see his family and take a few 

weeks off to surf. He also let on about the quality 

of the waves and the obscene number of perfect 

left hand point breaks that were on offer. When I 

told my wife that I wanted to go on another surf 

trip this year she said “OK, but if you’re going to 

South America I’m coming”. My wife happens 

to be the best non-surfing partner imaginable, 

so I jumped at the chance to share a bit of an 

adventure with her. Maurice’s partner was also 

coming and without hesitating I said yes. We 

booked the tickets. 

A few weeks before we were due to go, Maurice 

had us up to his place for dinner to discuss the 

trip. Excitement boiled over when he pulled out 

his laptop to show a few home videos featuring 

some of the point breaks we would be visiting. 

This country has waves, perfect waves, and lots 

of them! Over dinner Maurice ran us through 

his plans for the trip and told us what we 

would need to bring. When I asked about water 

temperature he just smiled and said, get a new 

wetsuit, a good one, at least a 4/3 and combo it 

up with boots, gloves and a hood…don’t skimp 

on cheap stuff either! 

I hate being cold, no one likes it! So when I went 

up to the local surf shop I told the guys to kit me 

out in whatever was available to keep me warm! 

I opted for everything listed above as well as a 

thermal rashie (which was a golden piece of kit) 

and I also borrowed one of those new heated 

vests. The heated vest was amazing for the first 

few sessions before it packed in and stopped 

working! After that I was happy to surf without 

it and only got really cold a few times. I guess 

what I am saying is, if you invest in some quality 

equipment and bring the right gear, surfing here 

is a little chilly, but certainly worth the effort. 

When it came to which boards to take it was 

a little harder for me to make the decision. It 

had been suggested to bring suitable boards 

for big powerful waves. Expect nothing smaller 

than four foot and the possibility of a lot bigger. 

I opted for a 6’4 and a 6’10 gun. Unfortunately 

for me, the day before we left a decent swell 

hit Sydney and I broke my 6’4! I did a mad 

dash around the local surf shops and found a 

reasonable second hand 6’3 that would do the 

trick. If I didn’t have a load of camera gear to 

take over as well I probably would have opted to 

bring a third board; something in the middle like 

a semi-gun, because breaking boards in Chile is a 

very real possibility. 

The flight to Santiago from Sydney is a long one. 

Take some entertainment with you. When you 

arrive you get the added bonus of having your 

body clock turned inside out by being on the 

other side of the planet. When Maurice met us 

at the airport he had a perfect cure. He took us 

to his mum’s place for a home cooked meal while 

sitting around the fireplace. 

Before I get into the detail of the first days 

surfing I should tell you a little more about the 

crew I was travelling with. Firstly there was 

Sherrie - my wife - and I. We were using this 

trip as a bit of time out and a holiday for both of 

us, with the added bonus of mixing a little work 

(photographing) in as well. Maurice was the 

instigator of the trip and our ‘guide’. His partner, 

Julie, was along for the adventure and Maurice’s 

mate, Dylan, completed the crew. 

Now a normal surf trip that involves a bunch 

of blokes in a car for long stretches of tarmac 

can get a little tribal. Toilet stops are usually 

governed by the person with the strongest 

bladder and fuel for the stomach is often 

purchased at the same place you get fuel for the 

car. Most of us are fine with that and have been 

‘road tripping’ for waves that way since the first 

in our group of mates got his driver’s license. 

This trip was to be a little different… Maurice 

and Jules are both yoga instructors and into 

clean, organic peace, love-and-mung-beans-style 

living. Dylan had the world’s best alternative to 

‘fast food.’ That being, delicately cooked ‘slow 

food’ made from whatever fresh ingredients 

we could find along the way - frustrating at 

times, but always worth the wait! Sherrie and I 

happily falling somewhere in the middle - I have 

a chocolate problem. The adventure through 

Chile became as much about the meals cooked, 

the recipes conjured, and the delights slapped 

together on the road, as it was about the waves 

and the photographic opportunities. Sure there 

were a few Chilenitos and Berliners (local cakes) 

wolfed down along the way, but we all came 

home from this trip without that grease hangover 

that can so often accompany a ‘road trip.’ 

Rubber up and 

get out there 


The line-up shot of 

our last session 

Curious locals in the line-up. 

“THIS TRIP WAS TO BE 

A LITTLE DIFFERENT...” 

Afternoon point 

perfection 

The locals build these cool surf 

shacks around the more popular points 

Anyone seen a sea lion?. 



73


“AFTER 

ATTACKING A FEW 

LEFT HAND WALLS 

THERE WAS NO 

ROOM TO THINK 

ABOUT BEING 

COLD ANY MORE” 

The first morning we were to hit the road and head 

south to Pichilemu – the capital of Chilean surfing. 

Taking the scenic road south we reached Pichilemu 

around lunchtime. The first stop was a famous 

point break – what a way to start the trip! We were 

blessed with some afternoon sunshine and glassy 

four foot waves peeling the length of the point. 

A little scared as to how cold the water would 

actually be, I was quite surprised when the first 

trickle started seeping into my wettie. It was fresh, 

but not too bad. I promise you after attacking a few 

left hand walls there was no room to think about 

being cold any more! Sure if you got caught inside 

and had to duck-dive a six wave set then you would 

eventually come up with a bit of a brain freeze, but 

on the whole it was pretty good. 

We stayed in Pichilemu and surfed Punta de Lobos 

for a few days, each day providing us with glassy 

waves, 4-5 foot and low on crowd numbers. But soon 

enough it was time to push further south. An early 

start to get a surf in before we hit the road and a 

gentle drive through some amazing countryside saw 

us cross into the southern states of Chile. Life here 

is a little more rural and a lot more relaxed than the 

big cities. 

I mentioned the organic ‘peace, love and dandelions’ 

approach to food that this trip was following. On 

the drive south we crossed a beautiful section 

of countryside which was being used to harvest 

organic salt. Dylan spotted a roadside stall and, 

with enthusiasm usually reserved for cheering on 

a football team, we pulled over to buy a bag of salt 

and some local honey. A little further down the road 

we found a bakery with freshly baked bread. Honey 

sandwiches for lunch and it was damn good. 

When we reached our destination - a spot called 

Buchupureo - we again lucked into a perfect, blue 

sky afternoon. We unloaded our gear into a few very 

comfortable cabins and took a walk up the hill to 

check the point. It was pumping! The sun turning the 

water an impossible shade of ice green and again, 

perfect waves peeling down another point! 

Excitement levels went into overdrive and I decided 

to take advantage of the sunshine with a mellow 

looking point set-up and photograph in the water for 

the first time on this trip. Walking to the jump off 

spot with the camera I heard a local guy behind me 

say something. I couldn’t understand what his rapid 

fire Chilean Spanish was getting at, but I did catch 

a few words. “el gringo loco” - the crazy tourist! 

Not sure why I was being called crazy, I leapt in 

through a ridiculous shore-break and was pleasantly 

surprised the water temp was slightly up on where 

we had been the previous day. Or perhaps it was 

just the sunshine. Either way it was one of the most 

enjoyable sessions I have photographed from the 

water for a long time. The boys getting plenty of 

sun soaked waves and the pine forested headland 

providing a pretty spectacular backdrop. When I 

went back later that afternoon to catch a few waves 

myself I figured out why the guy called me ‘a crazy 

tourist.’ It seems there was a much better jump off 

spot, with no rocks, very little shorebreak and half 

the swim – live and learn… 

Falling into a routine, we spent a week at 

Buchupureo. Surfed every day, some days were 

better than others, some sunny, one we were totally 

fogged in. I would wake each morning at dawn to 

check conditions and try and get some early morning 

colour for the camera. Dylan would cook his pre-surf 

oats and Maurice would get his wetsuit on and make 

sure he was the first one in the water. Sherrie and 

Jules, let’s just say they preferred the warmth of a 

bed to the early Chile mornings… 

Through that week, only once did we surf a wobbly 

wave with cross-shore winds, and that was our 

own fault for procrastinating a little in the morning. 


Maurice on an 

“Ice Green“ Express 

SURF★CHILE 

Bali... 

T he best of 

both worlds 

What I am saying here, is that in the week we 

surfed, every day at some stage, there were 

perfect conditions - at least 4 foot of swell and 

plenty of waves to share amongst us! 

It all came together for a few days towards the 

end of the week. The swell jacked up into the 

6 foot plus range, the winds were virtually non 

existent and the sand banks at Buchupureo were 

perfect, providing 250m rides the length of the 

point until eventually you would kick out in a 

beach break, walk around the cliffs and paddle 

back out for another one. These are the sessions 

we came here to surf, the conditions we were 

hoping for and the swell size we dreamed about. 

It does get a lot bigger here, however, if the 

swell does hit the double extra large size, surfing 

options become limited - unless of course, you 

are a fearless hellman! 

Once the swell started to decline we began to 

do a little sightseeing. We visited seal colonies 

and traditional water-powered corn mills, walked 

around markets in towns to buy fresh food and 

trekked to several different beaches to explore 

the area a little. Evenings were spent cooking 

healthy, belly-filling meals and playing cards. 

Given all of us on this trip met through practicing 

yoga we squeezed in a few sessions to stretch 

and release some tension in our over-surfed 

shoulders. I woke up every day to photograph the 

amazing scenery, sometimes scoring blue skies 

and colour and sometimes getting a lens full of 

fog. Overall it was a pretty amazing week. We 

thought the best bit of the trip was probably over 

but Maurice had a few more surprises up his 

sleeve for us. 

The drive north was due to take a few days if we 

split it up and surfed along the way. We stopped 

for a few nights in Pichilemu to surf Punta de 

Lobos again, got blown out one morning when 

unfortunately, the swell was pretty decent. We 

then hit the road again the next day to head 

home. Maurice’s suggestion to do a little 4x4 

exploring on the way back was greeted with 

some excitement. We bounced our way around a 

headland and spotted another perfect left hand 

point! The excitement levels in the car went 

into ‘man-grommet’ overdrive as we realized we 

had lucked into a cracker of a last session. Chile 

turned it on again, three foot peeling lefts, just us 

in the water and a spectacular session to end the 

adventure. A few last laughs were provided by 

a crazy food-stealing cat that belonged to a surf 

shack on the beach. Eventually after the ginger 

Dukes 

at Bingin 

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Book now! 

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www.baliretreats.com.au 

or call 07 5572 0477 


75

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More boards than 

you can poke a log at. 


feline tried to eat a plastic bag I had no option, much to the 

cats disgust, but to tie him up using a surfboard leash. Let’s 

just say the cat took it well, figured out how to get out, then 

promptly helped himself to some avocado. 

The trip finally came to an end with a five hour delay at the 

airport, followed by a flight that I have already done my best to 

forget. Yet even now, as I think of Chile, I smile a deep inward 

smile. The cold, long drives and longer flights are weighed up 

in my mind against the countless ‘backhand-reo to cut-back’ 

combinations, the six-wave sets with only three guys out, the 

power of the waves and the sheer excitement that is surfing 

Chile! 

We barely scratched the surface of this country and were only 

there long enough to sample a small portion of what must be 

on offer along the rest of the coastline. It seems at every turn 

off to the coast there is another wave worth surfing. Sure the 

cold might put a few people off, but I think that’s a good thing. 

If all you want from your surfing is a tropical paradise, with 

someone serving you drinks, there are plenty of great options. 

But if you’re keen to rubber up and be a little chilly for the 

privilege of surfing some of the most perfect waves you can 

imagine, you like the idea of spending your evenings cooking 

up a storm with your mates, you enjoy a room with a fireplace 

to play a few rounds of cards and are excited by the idea of 

an early start to hit up another perfect point break.... Then this 

place might just be for you. 

392 Harbour Drive, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour NSW 

Phone: 02 6658 0223 www.thelogshack.com.au 

waspbags.com.au 

Some things just 

shouldn’t get wet. 

WASP Bags are completely water 

and sand proof. Noticed how if 

you get the tiniest bit of sand 

or water in your phone, iPod 

or camera they are never quite 

the same again? Thanks to their 

unique seal, WASP Bags ensure 

that the things that should stay 

dry, stay dry. 

Buy online or ask your friendly surf shop... 


SALTMOTION 

TRAVEL 

If you have the travel bug and are after an experience off the 

beaten track, contact Joel and Sherrie at Saltmotion in Manly 

to find out more about their travel booking service. 

There are some unique opportunities available to travel to some 

of the lesser known surf destinations around the globe, so if 

you fancy yourself as an adventurer, get in touch. 

And of course, if you end up on a trip with Joel, you know you’ll 

have the opportunity to get some stunnng photos to show off to 

the friends and family. 

You can find out more about the Saltmotion Travel offers online 

at www.saltmotion.com, where you can also view amazing 

galleries of some of the trips so far. Images are available to 

purchase as prints in a variety high-quality formats. 

In fact, when you’re there, make sure to sign up for the 

Saltmotion email newsletter to get a dose of perfect waves 

and incredible photography delivered to your inbox daily. 

www.saltmotion.com


77

Byrobn Bbaya 

vLocal bknowloedge 

Hands down, one of our personal favourite 

stops is the never-sleepy town of Byron Bay 

on the New South Wales North Coast. It has 

a weird, magnetic quality to it... Every time 

you go there it gets a little harder to leave. 

Not only is it a place of magical waves, 

eternal good times and sunshine, it’s steeped 

in surf history and home to some of surfing 

and surfboard manufacturing’s true legends. 

But a place like Byron Bay doesn’t need any 

introduction from the likes of us blow-ins. 

We’ll let it’s own people speak for it instead. 

Local knowledge, after all, is a powerful 

thing. Let’s go get some... 


Photo: Alex Frings 

www.alexfrings.com 


79

The Pass - perfect waves for everyone 

Photo: Trent Dooley puredrift.com 

The yq laycof 

vthe land 

INTRODUCTION BY ED SINNOTT, 

BYRON BAY SURFBOARD MANUFACTURER 


Welcome to the real world, Byron 

Bay, the Vortex... 

It’s early, with the ocean mist 

still on the streets. Last night’s 

hang-overs are wearing black 

shades, gargling strong coffee 

and wondering where the hell 

they’ve been. Weekend daytrippers 

from the Goldy are out 

hunting breakfast, knowing exactly 

what they don’t need, while Paris 

Hilton wannabes are still in bed 

getting their beauty sleep. Parkies 

stand waiting for a free feed at 

the community centre while mad 

surfers roll out of damp garages, 

Wicked vans, rented rooms and 

one night stand crash pads in 

Suffolk, Sunrise, Broken, the Byron 

Hills and anywhere else they 

happened to find a bed. 

Soon everyone is out on pushbikes, 

motorcycles, skateboards, in vans, 

and anything else they can get 

their hands on. They're heading 

for the water. Cars with boards 

stacked up high tear around the 

Cape in all directions. What’s firing 

today? The Pass, Lennox, Broken, 

Tallows or the Wreck? It's a full 

bore surf city here and it hardly 

ever stops. Ever. Today there's a six 

foot groundswell running straight 

from the east and it’s offshore. 

Byron Bay is a blazing melting 

pot containing extreme polarities 

from all walks of life that include 

new-age hippies, homeless 

environmentalists, yuppie artists, 

people in between writing books, 

day trippers, Lindsey Lohan 

mimics, Derek Hynd sometimes, 

the hair-permed-forward-stovepipe-no-belt 

brigade, blow-in 

locals, armies of backpacking 

hedonists, feral gypsy guitarists, 

surfers, whale watchers, festival 

lovers, the Top Shop squirrel set 

and locals who wish life would go 

back to the good old days. Well 

guess what? It never will. 

Byron Bay never actually had 

a gold rush but you might be 

forgiven for thinking that it did, 

with so many visitors arriving 

to this seething cauldron of the 

counterculture. But the gold was, 

in fact, a combination of classic 

surf, sunshine, new age modalities 

and an undeniable sense of 

freedom - alluringly real, yet at 

the same time a deceptive mirage. 

Byron is a place of transience, a 

fading chimera and yet a concrete 

reality for those that live within 

its frontiers. It’s the Wild West, 

Hawaii, Bali, a million myths and 

a golden sunset viewed through a 

cocktail called Happy Holidays. It’s 

whatever you want it to be and it’s 

everything to everybody. 

The selling of Byron Bay's seething 

underbelly to the world as a 

paradise of blue skies, endless 

waves and total personal freedom 

was helped by cultural signposts 

along the way such as Albert 

Falzon’s seminal surf film Morning 

of the Earth (1971) and The 

Aquarius Festival (1973) held in 

Nimbin about 25 kilometres from 

Byron Bay. Falzon’s film depicted 

images of Nat Young, Chris Brock 

and friends ripping Broken Head 


Byron Bay Lighthouse 


ay 

"Byron Bay is a blazing melting 

pot containing extreme polarities 

from all walks of life" 

Ed Sinnott 

RIGHT: Ed Sinnott is the shaper behind 

ESP Surfboards. For more on Ed and other 

local surfboard manufacturing talent, see 

the shapers special starting on Page 104. 

apart while living the dream down 

on the farm, bathed in an idyllic 

golden light, saturated with an 

upbeat soundtrack. Morning of 

the Earth was the first surf movie 

to join the gossamers of the hippy 

counterculture, individualism and 

the short board revolution together. 

Surfing became a form of creative 

self-expression and a pursuit that 

captured the spirit of the hippy 

lifestyle. People really identified 

with these images and the sense 

of freedom they portrayed. 

Byron Bay was forever stamped 

within the counterculture as a 

place synonymous with personal 

freedom, the alternative lifestyle 

and the search for individuality. It’s 

just unfortunate that today it’s a 

damn hard place to survive. 

The Aquarius Festival did much 

the same thing. It was a bit like a 

North Coast Woodstock. Students 

and hippies flocked to the area for 

the festival in 1973 and many just 

never left. Two decades of new 

settlers and alternative lifestylers 

began to repopulate the area and 

another set of pioneers established 

themselves around Mullumbimby 

and Mainarm. 

The commune, legally known as a 

multiple occupancy or 'MO', was 

conceived. The idea that you could 

drop out of mainstream culture and 

live an alternative lifestyle was 

born. This challenged Australia’s 

rational and neo-conservative 

power structures who labelled 

hippies and surfers together as 

‘’dole bludgers’’ and ‘’druggies’’. 

The evolution of Byron is well 

documented, so these days the 

tourist dollar drives the economy. 

The propaganda and mythology 

that surround the town still attracts 

visitors here with disposable 

incomes and dollars to burn. But 

while the visiting crowds also bring 

their own share of issues to the 

local community, you can still find 

the old, unique Byron if you look 

hard enough. You can experience 

that peace and solitude of the early 

days if you truly explore the area. 

The locals love winter when the 

big Southerly swells pump and 

it's quieter. You can surf a lot of 

uncrowded breaks at this time of 

year, but when the points fire up it's 

still very hectic. There is amazing 

natural beauty in the shire and 

the type of freedom that you find 

depends on where you look. 

There are many hidden gems here, 

rough-hewn diamonds that await 

discovery. If it’s gold you’re after 

you won’t find it out at the Pass, in 

a pub or by rubbing the red out of 

your eyes after an all-night bender. 

You'll find it in the hidden natural 

world out on a deserted beach 

where the life-force of the ocean 

and the land powers our connection 

to everything. 

While the rest might be the same 

old circus with different clowns, if 

you survive the mirage you might 

find your own personal truth. 

Jonson Street 

Main Beach car park 

The Tallows local crew 



81

Byron Bay is one of those 

places blessed with that all 

important ingredient for surf 

- choice. With beaches and 

point breaks at all different 

angles and aspects, you’re 

hard pressed not to find 

something surfable on any 

Byron Bay roadtrip. 

As always, we reckon local 

knowledge is the way to go, 

so we asked photographer 

Trent Dooley of puredrift.com 

to let us in on what Byron’s 

breaks have to offer... 

Belongil Beach 

A quiet alternative, 

suitable for all levels 

of surfers, is Belongil 

Beach, about a km north 

of the Wreck, which 

can produce some good 

beach breaks on most 

swells in S-SW wind. 

The Wreck 

Aptly named after the 

sunken shipwreck SS 

Wollongbar, The Wreck 

sits just to the left of 

Main Beach car park. 

It turns on some very 

hollow and punchy 

waves thanks to the 

constant build up of 

sand caught up around 

the wreck itself. Due 

to its consistency and 

its proximity to town, 

it’s generally busy and 

works best in a solid 

E/SE swell and S-SW 

winds. 

Main Beach 

Smack bang in the 

centre of town, Main 

Beach provides an 

eclectic mix of people 

from all over the world 

basking in Byron’s 

sunshine and idealic 

beaches. In other words 

it’s packed with tourists, 

swimming, sun-baking, 

bodysurfing, snorkelling, 

learning and the like. 

However, when there is 

enough swell wrapping 

into the Bay, Main 

Beach can also serve up 

some very hollow waves 

which will leave the 

inexperienced admiring 

from shore. 

Clarkes Beach 

When The Pass is firing, 

Clarkes Beach can offer 

a less critical alternative 

away from the crowds. 

It turns on some fun 

waves often with only a 

fraction of the surfers. 

Tucked right into the 

bay, it also offers the 

protection from all wind 

directions except the 

northerly. When small, 

Clarkes can provide 

gentle little peelers that 

are great for logs and 

learning. 

Byrobn 

Bbreaks 

Photographer Trent Dooley 

One part photos, one part 

accommodation and all Byron Bay, 

puredrift is run by couple Trent 

and Laura Dooley who moved to 

Byron Bay just over a year ago from 

Sydney’s Northern Beaches. 

“My wife Laura and I have always 

wanted to work together creatively,” 

Trent says. “And puredrift has given 

us the opportunity to share our love 

of Byron’s beautiful environment and 

contribute to its vibrant community.” 

On the website, you can book a stay, 

and also check out daily photos and 

local surf conditions. 

Make sure to sign up for the email 

list to have magical Byron Bay 

scenery appear in your inbox. 

Visit puredrift.com and join in on 

www.facebook.com/puredrift 

Wategos: 

"Ditch the short board 

here, get out the log and 

cruise down Australia’s 

most easterly point. " 

What a way to spend a summer’s day. 



The Pass 

Byron’s premiere wave 

with crowds to match. 

A sand bottom point 

break that can dish up 

super-sucky mechanical 

barrels through to long 

logger lines that peel 

endlessly down the Bay, 

all depending on sand 

build up. When working, 

it’s an amazing sight 

with waves running 

well over 300m. Crowd 

levels can be dangerous 

here and it’s no place for 

the inexperienced. The 

viewing platform directly 

above the wave provides 

a great vantage point. 

Best in SE swell and 

south wind. 

Wategos 

This would have to 

be one of the most 

picturesque beaches 

in Australia, with realestate 

prices to match. 

Ditch the short board 

here, get out the log and 

cruise down Australia’s 

most easterly point. 

On a good day you can 

get rides in excess of 

a couple of hundred 

metres, which you will 

often have to share 

with a pod of dolphins. 

Offshore in a southerly is 

the way to go. 

Tallows 

If you love surfing 

punchy beach breaks 

in crystal clear warm 

water, Tallow Beach or 

‘Tallows’ is your summer 

break. Surfing just below 

the iconic Cape Byron 

lighthouse at ‘Cosy 

Corner’ will also provide 

you with protection from 

the dreaded summer 

northerlies. While this 

spot can get pretty busy 

during the peak holiday 

periods, you often only 

have to walk a couple 

hundred metres down the 

beach and you’re surfing 

peaks all to yourself. 

Suffolk Park 

Keep strolling down 

the beach for 5 clicks 

or so and you’ll be at 

the beachside town of 

Suffolk Park. This stretch 

of beach picks up swells 

from all angles and is 

rarely flat. 

It’s offshore from NW to 

SW and you can often 

score great waves all to 

yourself when conditions 

are right. 

Broken Head 

The furthest point south 

on this long stretch of 

coast is Broken Head, 

a right hand sand 

bottom point break that 

lines up beautifully 

when the sand is 

pushed up towards 

the headland. Rides in 

excess of a couple of 

hundred metres are not 

uncommon when it’s on. 

Best in a solid SE swell 

and offshore in a SW 

wind. 



83

“Get a seat in the sun out the front of 

Utopia...I love people watching. 

I'm a bit of an Esme Watson... I like 

to see what's goin' on...” 

Bert - Maddog Beach Surf Centre 

“Go to the lighthouse, 

take a couple of beers 

up and do a bit of 

whalewatching! You 

actually feel like you're 

in Byron Bay then.” 

Alana - Surfkini 

“Go to the lighthouse. In whale season you 

just get the full magic of the place, with 

whales and dolphins jumping around. 

You just don’t want to leave really…” 

Ofer - Cane Bar 

““Byron is about 

community. It’s eclectic. 

There’s so many different 

things going on. It’s 

just a sea of good stuff, 

good culture and good 

visitors as well... So many 

interesting people come 

to the area, but it always 

comes back to the local 

community.” 

"Targa or Top Shop 

for coffee. Beer? The 

Beachie, favourite haunt.” 

Lacho - Common Ground 

53 years here, born 

and bred. Everything 

appeals. The surf, 

the climate... you just 

don’t want to leave. 

Everywhere else you 

see when you travel 

you compare and 

realise you just can’t 

beat this place. It’s 

pretty special.” 

Sput- 

Surf Central 

“It’s an awesome town with a good live music 

scene – just go the Rails or the Northern at night.” 

Jono and Meagan - Legend pizza 

“It doesn't matter if you;re obsessed 

with the WCT, want to ride traditional 

old logs, whether you just want to go 

into town and get p*ssed, whether you 

want to sit in a teepee up on the hill... 

Every sort of freak around is in this 

town and they all seem to harmonise 

together.... And that's a brilliant thing." 

Adam - Doctor Ding 

Byrobn Bbaya 

vLocal b 

knowloedge

oMeetqthe 

Nativeso 

“Byron is a mix of everything…. 

a mix of culture, skate, the surf, 

the people, music, the good 

vibrations, good feelings... It’s 

just magic. 

Favourite spot? Main Beach 

car park for sure. It's where 

all this mixes. You have the 

carpark for a skate, you have 

the rocks, every sunset there’s 

music with the drums. You have 

the ocean…You hear the ocean 

whenever you skate here. It’s 

the best spot. Not just in Byron." 

" The street is the best spot. 

I used to firedance and do 

fire-twirling with my friends, 

someone would come along 

with a guitar and another 

singing. The life here is not in 

a nightclub, like in every other 

place. Life here is in the street. 

Natalia Lopez - Skater 

"Byron Bay local" is a relatively loose 

term. While there are plenty long term 

born-and-bred residents, a large portion 

of Byron's population is essentially 

transient. With backpackers from every 

corner of the globe doing odd-jobs to 

extend their stay, beach-changers from 

the north and south looking to escape the 

hustle and bustle of big cities and artists 

of every discipline clambering to make 

Byron a place to permanently rest their 

heads, it's an eclectic mix that makes up 

the people that call this place home. 

Long-term resident or not, there's never 

anyone better as a tour guide than a 

local. We asked some of them to share 

a few inside tips and fill us in on what 

makes Byron Bay so special for them. 

"It’s always 

changing. It’s 

always the same. 

If you have never 

been to Byron you 

need to check out 

the Lighthouse, 

have a beer at the 

top pub (Beach 

Hotel), a dive at 

Julian Rocks and 

of course, a surf. 

Other than that it is 

a good place to do 

nothing." 

Josh - Ho’ Okupu 

“Come and have a beer. (laughs) 

Go to the beach during the day, 

visit the unique little shops, have 

a coffee, take life easy and that’s 

what Byron;s all about. Get out of 

the city and into the small town.” 

Loren - Woody’s Surf Shack 

“The various elements 

here combine to conjure 

up the old soul of surf 

culture. There's a good 

mix of surfing and live 

music. I play guitar and 

jam with a few guys 

and that coincides with 

the atmosphere around 

here. Surf wise you can 

ride a whole host of 

boards from longboards 

to shortboards, retro 

twins, dad's (Mark 

Rabbidge) finless stuff." 

Mick Rabbidge - Surfer

Celebrating 

4 

years 

Still proudly 

made by people, 

not machines 


02 6685 7485 

10 Acacia St, 

Byron Bay NSW 

www.tcsurf.com.au

Photo: Alex Frings www.alexfrings.com 

vLocal bpeople 

“Yeah ’95… That’s when 

I moved up from Tassie. 

What’s that now? 16 

years? I think that’s local 

status. I think that takes 

ten. I was always copping 

it until then...“ 

Known for his surfing, but now even 

more so for his filmmaking, Johnny 

Abegg epitomises the spirit of Byron 

Bay. If you don't see him in the surf, 

he'll be keeping himself busy in the 

community, covering events and 

photographing people and places for 

the website and email newsletter 

Common Ground. 

With a huge project - his introspective 

surf-unrelated movie Two Weeks - 

just behind him, we caught up with 

him to find out more about his life 

and his connection to the New South 

Wales north coast. 

A mad keen young surfer with big 

dreams of the pro circuit, Johnny 

arrived in Byron Bay in his teens, 

thanks to extremely supportive 

parents packing up the family home 

in Dodges Ferry - a little town East 

of Hobart on the way to Port Arthur 

- to relocate to warmer climes and 

friendlier waves. 

After a brief stop in Yamba, the 

family settled in Byron Bay. 

“It just resonated. It was such a 

happening little place. Even back 

then, it was just so different to any 

other places.” 

“Things have changed, but it still has 

the same appeal. I just love it for all 

the same reasons.” 

Firmly on the path of being a pro surfer, 

Johnny one day picked up a camera and 

it changed his life for good. 

“It opened up a lot of my creative 

spirit. From 2006 or so I still had 

the bug to compete... maybe it was 

more about me letting go. I was still 

competing but gradually I just got 

more into film. That was the new 

path and I was surfing for different 

reasons then.” 

He went on to document a different 

side of the circuit in his film On 

Credit, dealing with the costs of 

being a competitor on the pro tour. 

“It’s obscene. Just booking a ticket 

say to Europe to go travelling, you 

can pretty much double that. There’s 

membership fees and entry fees. It’s 

just ridiculous. I’m still paying for 

those original years now. I’ve got it 

down pretty good (laughs) but I just 

want to get back to zero.” 

“I have toyed with the idea [of a 

follow-up] but it’s not really hitting 

me at the moment.. I’m thinking it 

might be a short film. I don’t think it 

has the legs for a full one. Like a 10 

minute ‘this is what happened’.” 

But, work even closer to Johnny's 

heart is his most recent film, Two 

Weeks - a very personal journey of 

self-discovery in the wilderness of 

Tasmania. 

“It’s a pretty bold attempt for me I 

suppose. It wasn't surf based. It’s 

quite dark and from a dark place in 

my life. I was asking myself some 

heavy questions. Just questioning 

life and everything around me. I 

thought it would make interesting 

subject matter to start documenting. 

"It was such a hard slog 

in hindsight. A really 

difficult couple of years 

but also really rewarding. 

I’m glad I exposed that 

part of myself." 

"A lot of people have told me that 

they’ve been able to see themselves 

through it - which has been the 

number one bit of feedback. I was 

just a vehicle for them to see things 

about themselves in it. It was a 

really rewarding process, but I’m 

quite glad that it's over and I’ve 

moved into a new phase. “ 

That new phase most definitely 

includes film work in some shape 

or form. 

“It’s just in me. I just see life in that 

way. I’m quite intrigued by short 

form and digital media… The way 

you can create a story and see it go 

out through the cyber cosmos and 

reach a lot of people.” 

qexpressionoq 

oVehicles of 

It’s not a heavily commercial approach, 

doing film for the net? 

“No, but it's funny... Neither is the 

old way. It’s so dead. DVD sales have 

fallen 90%. 

So, where is it all going? 

“I’m just starting to look at that 

landscape as more of a creative 

outlet. Going down the independent 

film route, I was destined to make a 

few dollars off it, but that tainted the 

process and turned it into something 

that could be a little bit ugly at 

times. Initially I just had something 

to share." 

For more on Johnny's work, visit his 

blog at Johnnyabegg.com 

Inside info... 

As to Byron Bay, we asked some 

personal recommendations of how to 

truly experience the place. 

“Markets is one. It’s such a good 

little way to get in on what’s 

happening in the community. People 

pop out of the hills and set up their 

market stalls. It's great. 

“Surf-wise, there’s always a wave. 

That’s the great thing about that 

headland, you can always go to the 

other side and get a wave depending 

on the wind and the swell." 


87

What better way to celebrate the surfing culture of Byron than with a surf festival? Well, hold onto your boardies... 

This October, the town hosts the first ever Byron Bay Surf Festival, focused not on competition, but rather on creativity. 

"It's a manifestation of the passion for surfing in different creative ways," says organiser Vanessa Thompson. 

With live music, filmmaking, original art, photography, shaping workshops and demonstrations as well as the opportunity to 

ride and experience surfboards of all descriptions, there really are plenty of creative ways to enjoy the fantastic get-together. 

In fact, with so many great events planned you'll be hard pressed to get any rest over the weekend of October 21-23. 

It all kicks off with resident surf legend Bob McTavish opening the festivities with a talk and live surfboard shaping 

demonstration - the perfect intro into the surfing celebration. Here's a few of the events to follow... 

FROM TOP: Live music at Woodys 

Surf Shack; Surf swap meet; Muso Dan 

Hannaford; and art by James McMillan 

Surf Swap Meet 

Collectors and fans of older boards will 

be in heaven with a Surf Swap meet at 

Wategos Beach on the Sunday morning, 

hosted by Byron Bay Malibu Club. 

You'll be able to browse, buy, swap... even 

take the boards out for spin at Wategos. 

Short of a $5 per board fee, you could 

essentially swap your way into a whole 

new quiver for no money at all. 

Whether you're after boards or not, the 

swap meet is a great opportunity for 

surfers, shapers and collectors to meet, 

have a chat and exchange ideas. There's a 

few big shaping names expected to make 

an appearance at the event as well, so 

make sure you get along. 

Freestyle & Stoke 

While the Swap Meet's in full swing, 

you have a second opportunity to hit the 

waves at Wategos, with four half-hour 

expression sessions - Log, Fish, Finless, 

and Vintage. 

"Whoever's quick enough to put their hand 

up gets to go out and have some fun," 

says James McMillan, another one of the 

good people behind the festival. With only 

ten spots per category and the opportunity 

to surf alongside local legends like Danny 

Wills, you best be quick, or you can just 

sit back and enjoy a great display of 

surfboard riding for no scores whatsoever. 

vCelebrate 

scurfing, 

Byrono-stylec 

v...at the first 

Byrono Bay Surf Festival. 

Visual treats 

James is also involved in the arts side 

of the festival as an exhibiting artist in 

the Surf Culture Now exhibition, opening 

the Friday evening at the Retrospect 

Gallery in Jonson Street. Work on 

display will include his own and that of 

Mark Sutherland, Hanai Yusuke, Luke 

Taafe, Mick Waters, Alby Falzon, Andrew 

Kidman, Vanessa Janss and more. 

He's also in charge of the stART me up 

art exhibition and mentoring program 

for kids. This is a great opportunity for 

emerging young artists - as young as four 

- to see their work hanging on the wall of 

a real gallery. There's prizes in each age 

category from 4-16 years with the winner 

of the 13-16yrs group scoring a 6-month 

artist mentorship program to develop their 

talent. 

Sounds good to us 

What's a surf weekend without a 

soundtrack? There's no shortage of live 

music on offer at this festival. On Saturday 

morning you can enjoy an exhibition of 

surf photography by local legend George 

Greenough, Matty Yates, James McMillan 

with live music by Josh Hamilton at the 

Top Shop on the corner of Carlyle and 

Massinger Streets. 

The Byron Bay Community Centre Theatre 

will be the place to be Saturday evening, 

for the musical/visual collaboration by 

Andrew Kidman and one of our favourite 

filmmakers, Mick Waters. Andrew Kidman 

and the Windy Hills will perform material 

from the latest release Songs From The 

Ether set to a backdrop of new visual 

material by Andrew and Mick. 

For a perfect end to the Saturday night, 

make sure to head off to one of our 

personal favourite night spots, Woodys 

Surf Shack in the Plaza, Jonson Street to 

enjoy the psychadelic roots of homegrown 

band, The Grains. The perfect intimate 

venue for a show, the Saturday night 

should be a winner. 

Currumbin roots muso Dan Hannaford 

rounds off the weekend during the Sunday 

closing ceremony at the Pass Cafe. 

Wood workshop 

4pm, Saturday at the Byron Community 

Centre sees Lennox Head wooden board 

maker Andrew Wells of Grown Surfboards 

sharing his knowledge and skills. He'll be 

discussing the philosophy behind timber 

boards, talking about various aspects of 

wooden board construction and will be 

answering what you'd like to know in a 

Q&A session. As personal fans of Andrew's 

work, we highly recommend this to anyone 

who has an interest in timber surfcraft. 

Need more? 

Seriously? If that's not enough for you, 

there are surf markets, surf-related clinics 

and displays, a surf history talk and if the 

weather gods of Byron are as generous as 

usual, a whole lot of sunshine and fun. 

For the cherry on top, most of the events 

are free, just like surfing is (and a little 

magazine we know.) Visit the website for 

the full program and updates. 

www.byronbaysurffestival.com 

We'll leave the last word to the good folks 

that have pulled it all together: 

‘The simple motivation behind The Byron 

Bay Surf Festival is to have a killer 

weekend in Byron Bay immersed in surf 

culture as we know it right now.’" 

Bring it on. We can't wait! 

Laura Dooley at Wategos, the place to be for 

the Surf Swap Meet and expression sessions. 



Geoff at The Pass 

6’ 0”All Round Nugget Single fin 

(Photo by Michelle Strain) 

Design Through Development 

All McCoy surfboards are produced through Australia’s No.1 glassing factory PSM where only the finest quality is 

produced. We use Graham King foam (the best) exclusively. McCoy is now only available direct from the PSM factory/ 

showroom where we have over 50 stock boards on display for immediate sale. For custom orders, contact Geoff directly. 

Alistair McDiarmid at Lennox 

6’ 5” Semi Gun Single fin 

(Photo by Michelle Strain) 

Now custom building a Geoff McCoy designed retro range in wood and 

fibreglass construction. “These are very special, as they represent my older 

concepts that, when combined with wood, are strikingly impressive.” 

For more information, contact Geoff directly. 

www.mccoysurfboards.com 

Showroom at 10 Acacia Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 Australia 

Personally contact Geoff on 02 6685 3227 or mccoy@nor.com.au 


89

GUY HASTINGS ✯ SURFARI MAPS 

Based in Byron Bay 

since 1982 

Byrobn Bbaya 

Pictorial map making, 

painting and illustration. 

✯ 0422 175 706 

www.surfarimaps.com 

DOCTOR 

D ING 

BYRON BAY 

dr. ding surfboard repairs 

24 hr turnaround & pickup services available 

2/68 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay Arts & Industry Estate 

www.drdingsurfboardrepairs.com 0431 740 940 

vLife b 

changes 

A great photo is the end product of a combination 

of different ingredients. Technical expertise, 

artistic vision, a good eye, good gear, great light, 

amazing subject matter... 

In whatever proportions these ingedients are 

mixed, one thing’s for sure... Byron Bay delivers 

the amazing subject matter in spades - beautfiul 

scenery, beautiful people and every colour of the 

rainbow, from sunup to sundown and beyond. 

The town is most certainly a photographer’s dream 

destination, so it’s no wonder German traveller 

Alex Frings has come to feel such a connection 

to this place that feeds his passion with a daily 

serve of so many amazing moments, just waiting 

to be captured. 

We got to have a chat with him over a coffee about 

Byron Bay, photos and surfing. 

WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN PHOTOS: ALEX FRINGS 

Hailey-Marie McFadden duck diving a 

glass cylinder near Byron Bay. 

90 sep/oct 2011 happy birthday to us

vLocal btalent 


91

Byrobn Bbaya 

TOP: Sunset ABOVE: Hailey-Marie McFadden waiting for a wave. RIGHT: 

Hailstorm, 2008 that caused major damage at Suffolk Park and Lennox Head. 


From Aachen in Germany, near the Dutch and Belgian 

border, photographer Alex Frings first visited, and fell 

in love with Byron Bay in 2006. 

Web developer by trade, Alex’s passion however, lies 

firmly with photography. 

“Since I first travelled to Australia, I got more serious 

about it and started taking a lot more photos than 

I used to back in Germany. I obviously got into surf 

photography, but being in Byron, you can’t really avoid 

that.” (laughs) 

“I’d love to take some more time from programming 

websites and spend a bit more on photography,” 

he says. “It’s a lot more fun being out there in the 

elements.” 

Being techy does wonders for his online presence 

though - a very cool mix of personal and portfolio on 

his website. 

“I tried to do something a little different. It’s not about 

sales or anything. It’s more of a lifestream where 

everything runs together... my posts and photos and so 

on. Everything appears chronologically.” 

Gear-wise, Alex is pretty clear about his preferences. 

“I’m a Canon guy. I like Canon and I’ll stick to it. At 

the moment I’m shooting with a Canon 1d Mk3, one 

of my favourite lenses is the 70-200mm 2.8. In the 

water I usually shoot the 16-35.” 

We’re always fascinated by the levels of fitness 

required in doing water photography, but Alex is 

pretty chilled about his regime... 

“Well, I like to eat chocolate, and a lot of it. (laughs) 

No, I’m not that fit, but I’m always super-keen. I go 

in the water whenever I can, no matter how big it is. 

MICHAEL CUNDITH 

SURF DESIGNS 

NEW MODEL 

“The MC/Greenough 

Stubbie is a Concave 

Triplane Hull with many 

different fin options. 

This board thrives in all 

conditions.” MC 

The MC 

Quiver 

Danny Wills Rippa 5’10” x 19 ¼” x 2 ¼” 

MC/Greenough 

Stubbie 6’0” x 22” x 3” 

Dart Fish 6’2” x 21 ¾” x 3 ¾” 

Sometimes I get smashed and I don’t even make it out 

and other times it works out and I get the shot. 

“A couple of years back, it was always a struggle 

between surfing and taking photos on days when it 

was good, but these days I’ll first shoot in the water 

and will go for a wave afterwards.” 

Time in Byron Bay hasn’t only been good for his 

photography, but has kicked his surfing along nicely 

too. Having surfed in France and the Netherlands, he 

only started seriously hitting the waves in the last five 

years since his first visit to Byron Bay. 

The rivermouth near Broken Head, and during the 

summer at Tallows. I’m a goofy footer so I like my lefts.” 

I only ride Town & Country’s and get my boards 

shaped by the Buzz. I really like those boards. I have 

a 6’1” Flying Fish and the other is a 6’4” for when it 

gets a bit bigger.” 

As to the future Alex tells us that he’d like to be 

offering prints of his images by the end of the year. 

“There’s also a Byron Bay documentary coming out 

on DVD,” he says. “One of my images will be on the 

cover, which will be cool.” 

Check out more of Alex’s awesome and inspiring 

work throughout this edition’s Byron Bay feature 

and on his website at www.alexfrings.com. 

CUSTOM ORDERS 

ON ANY MODEL 

Telephone: 02 66858778 

Fax: 02 66808932 

Factory Showroom: 

3 Banksia Drive 

Byron Bay Industrial Estate 

BYRON BAY NSW 2481 

email: info@mcsurf.com.au 

www.mcsurf.com.au 

Whale Fish 8’0” x 25 ½” x 3 ½” 

The Man Gun 9’1” x 22 ¼” x 3 ¼” 

High Performance Mal 9’1” x 22 ¾” x 2 ¾” 

Balsa Mal 9’6” x 24” x 3 ¼” 

FREIGHT 

IT NOW! 

We’ll send 

boards 

anywhere in 

Australia for 

reasonable rates 


93

vWinding 

down & 

Firing upc 

legend 

PIZZA 

BYRON BAY 

66 855 700 

byo-delivery-take away 

Jonson Street, Shop 1 

Woolworths Plaza 

next to the bottle shop 

www.legendpizza.com.au 

During the day 

Byron’s major drawcard is its stunning 

natural beauty. Its what lures intrepid 

travellers from all over the globe from 

backpackers to the well-heeled. So when 

you’re not surfing Byron’s many breaks, 

indulging in the fine food or relaxing with a 

drink, there’s always more to explore. 

Julian Rocks is one of Australia’s top dive 

spots and has been an underwater marine 

reserve since 1982 and is absolutely 

teeming with sea life. Above the surface, 

Byron’s various kayak operators provide 

you an alternative means to take in the 

beauty of the area’s coastal beauty. 

The best place to check out the surf, in 

particular swell size and direction is at 

Australia’s most easterly point, Cape 

Byron. Whilst there, a visit to the famous 

lighthouse on top of the headland is in 

order. You can hike a 3.7km walking trail 

that loops around to Wategos Beach and 

back, peer over the 100m sheer drop on the 

eastern most side of the Cape and take in 

some of the region's most majestic views. 

For a different perspective on Byron’s 

beauty, take an early morning hot air 

balloon ride and see the sun rise first 

over our most easterly point. Byron Bay 

Ballooning runs daily flights complete with 

complimentary champagne breakfast. 

Aside from all this we suggest you get 

out of town! That’s right, and head to 

Bangalow, a quaint, Federation-style 

village only fifteen minutes from the heart 

of Byron. Bangalow is famous for its arts, 

craft, sausages, fresh food and produce 

and is a favourite of many Byron locals. 

ABOVE: The lighthouse... recommended by 

locals and visitors alike and an essential box 

to check on your trip to Byron. 

BELOW: The other side... Byron's nightlife. 

Letting loose at Woodys Surf Shack. Supplied 

STARTING OUT: What 

a great place to learn... 

Black Dog Surf School 

is one of the operators that 

run surf lessons in Byron 


The Bangalow Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday 

from 8am to 11am. On the fourth Sunday of each 

month are the Bangalow markets incorporating all 

the region is famous for. 

When the sun goes down... 

There are not too many better places to hit the town 

in our opinion than Byron. But where to start? There 

are so many places to let it all hang out. 

We will start with the Beach Hotel. It's a superb 

venue. Right across the road from the beach, 

there's always something going on, day or night. 

There’s a regular schedule of live music along with 

pool tables and big screen TVs. 

Literally a couple of metres down the road is The 

Balcony. A great place for a cosy bite to eat in front 

of the open fire in winter or out on the balcony in 

summer, it also doubles as the perfect spot for an 

afternoon drink in the shade with a cool sea breeze. 

Keep walking and there’s the Great Northern, a real 

deal Aussie pub that always boasts a fine line-up 

of live music such as our mate Isaac Paddon in 

their famous ‘Backroom’. 

You can't miss out on the Railway Hotel, with it's 

chilled, laid-back feel. Most of the pub is outdoors 

and is one of those few places where you can 

simply catch up with friends and have a good chat 

over a drink. After you've chewed each other’s ears 

off, you can kick back with some live music, which 

is on every night of the week. 

A funky venue on the scene worth checking out is 

The Owl & Pussycat. Good vibe, interesting tapas 

menu and a definite sense of style and class. 

Also worth checking out, just a few minutes 

walk from the main part of town, is the Byron 

Bay Brewery and Buddha Bar/ Restaurant. 

Amazingly, in all our visits to Byron we had 

never heard of it, or ventured here, and after 

several of their premium ales and lagers we 

were wondering why the hell not. 

On the subject of Byron brews, Stone & 

Wood also brew a bloody good beer. Pacific 

Ale is set to become a firm favourite. 

For a good drop and a party atmosphere at 

a recently refurbished venue with a great 

surfing theme, you can't go past Woody’s 

Surf Shack. If the good vibes and music aren't 

enough, there's a Morning of the Earth retro 

surfboard up for grabs every Wednesday 

night, so it's well worth the visit. And as 

a fellow supporter of the Byron Bay Surf 

Festival, you have to make sure you stop in 

for at least a quick beer. The only problem 

with Woody's is that once you're in, it's just 

too hard to leave, so you just might find 

yourself there until lights-on-go-home time. 

Finally, if you're planning on really cutting 

loose, you may want to check out Cheeky 

Monkeys. The name says it all. It’s a 

backpackers haven and gets a little wild. 

While we're not backpackers (or in any way 

young or good-looking) we do admit to having 

ventured here... on several occasions. 

So, all up, you're more than spoilt for choice, 

with no shortage of options for a big night out. 

HANDCRAFTED, 

FREE-STANDING, 

RECYCLED 

TIMBER BOARD 

RACKS... 

CALL 0413 061 727 

WWW.BYRONBAYBOARDRACKS.COM 

RIGHT: More of Byron's natural beaurty behind the bar at 

Woody's Surf Shack. TOP: More happy Woody's patrons. Supplied 


95


Byrobn Bbaya 

Finding fuel 

v...so many choices 

for a bite to eat in Byrono 

So many establishments serve top-notch food and drinks. The best 

recommendation we can make is to sample as many as you can 

when here. Seriously. Here’s a quick guide: 

Three important Bs for the day... 

Breakfast at the Beach Cafe, Beer 

at the Brewery, and Bowls of 

healthy food from Cane bar. 

OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP: 

Breakfast at Dip Cafe - it doens't 

get much better! 

Surfy decor at Legend Pizza 

The view from The Balcony, 

Earth & Sea's idea of an ideal day 

Enjoying a cup of local coffee. 

Breakfast. 

Like many surfers, my favourite meal of the day. 

Best food... Dip Café. Possibly the best breakfast I have had on the entire 

east coast, and I have sampled a few. 

Best view... and great food (the lines are testament to this) is the Byron Beach 

Café. Possibly the best view of any café on the east coast. 

Best Breaky on the run... Cane Bar. Meticulous approach to making coffee. 

Great smoothies and juices and you have to try the BomBom - a South 

American inspired espresso, cane juice concoction. Sounds weird but is 

gooood. 

Fond Favourites... Utopia (formerly Fresh). Good food, good coffee and fun 

place to people watch. 

Good all day... The Balcony. It’s serene, above the hustle and bustle of 

the street and the food and coffee is just great. For great tapas and a very 

civilised, relaxed environment, this is the go. 

Lunch 

Orgasmic. Give your taste buds one. Delicious, casual, quick and affordable. 

Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern inspired cuisine and plenty of vegetarian 

dishes. 

For quick, super-tasty lunch, Wahoos Fish Tacos are a bit of a Byron Bay icon as 

are Pot Belly Pies - while pricey as far as pies go - they're big enough to justify 

the price tag. 

If Japanese is your thing, O-Sushi is a fantastic, healthy and highly 

recommended way to refuel for the afternoon. While we only got to stop in 

for lunch, we're keen to get back for dinner - the mains look incredible. 


qDininga& 

Takeaways 

O-SUSHI 

Woolworths Plaza, Jonson St 

Award-winning, authentic Japanese 

cuisine. Mains, tapas and sushi. 

P: 02 6685 7103 

www.osushi.com.au 

WAHOOS FISH TACO 

Shop 8, 4 Jonson St, BYRON BAY 

Fish, Chicken and Steak Tacos... 

Burgers, burritos, salads & more 

P: 02 6680 8001 

www.wahoosaustralia.com 

THE OWL & PUSSYCAT 

85 Jonson Street, BYRON BAY 

Tapas Bar & Restaurant with 

live jazz, blues and piano bar 

P: 02 6685 7320 

www.opcbyron.com.au 

LEGEND PIZZA 

Shop 1 The Plaza, Jonson St 

20 years of the freshest and 

tastiest pizzas in Byron Bay 

P: 02 6685 5700 

www.legendpizza.com.au 

Dinner 

Fine dining... my pick is probably 

St Elmos. Great wine list and 

interesting seasonal menu. 

Quick bite... Fish Mongers. 

No visit to Byron is complete 

without a visit here. Salt & 

pepper calamari on fragrant rice, 

again, possibly the best on the 

east coast. 

Pub grub... The Railway Hotel 

- definitely the pick of the pubs 

for a bite. 

Pizza... Who can go past pizza 

for dinner? A long time favourite 

is THE original and world 

acclaimed Earth’n’Sea Pizza. 

Great atmosphere, friendly staff 

and of course great pizza on 

wholemeal pizza bases. 

Legends has been around for 20- 

odd years, and when you taste 

their pizzas, you'll know why. The 

locals talk it up too, and some 

cool surf memorabilia adorns 

the walls, so there are plenty 

reasons to grab a bite there. 

And for pizza on the run, give Slice 

a try, next to Cane Bar. 

EARTH ‘N’ SEA Est.1976 

Cnr Fletcher & Byron St, BYRON BAY 

Amazing pizzas and pastas. Great 

for families, relaxed atmosphere. 

P: 02 6685 6029 

www.earthnsea.com.au 

DIP CAFÉ 

1/ 21 Fletcher St, BYRON BAY 

First class licensed café and 

restaurant. Great coffee, 

excellent food and best service 

P: 02 6685 5141 

CANE BAR 

Cavanbah Arcade, 4 Jonson St 

Rejuvenating cane based juices, power 

smoothies, organic coffee, for uberenergy 

to surf all day and play all night. 

P: 02 6685 7978 

www.canebar.com.au 

TARGA 

Cnr Marvell and Middelton Sts 

Food you know, inherently. Coffee 

you wake up wanting, perfectly. 

Wines you enjoy, convivially. 

P: 02 6680 9960 

www.targarestaurant.com 

Honestly, it's hard to find a bad 

feed, so be adventurous! 

THE BALCONY 

Cnr Lawson & Jonson, BYRON BAY 

Every day breakfast, lunch & 

dinner. Tapas till late every night. 

P: 02 6680 9666 

www.balcony.com.au 


97

Byron’s Largest 

Accommodation 

Service 

qWhere 

to stayu 

Over 200 options from budget to luxury. 

www.byronbayaccom.net 

Call (02) 66 808 666 

Open every day for Breakfast, lunch 

and Dinner Tapas till late every night. 

Fresh local produce. 

Mediterranean/Spanish influence with 

a great cocktail bar and wine list. 

Cnr Lawson & Jonson, Byron Bay 

02 6680 9666 www.balcony.com.au 

No matter what kind of digs you have in mind, Byron has you covered. 

From hotels, apartments, resorts, guesthouses, stunning beach houses 

and countless budget accommodation options including cabins, cottages, 

backpackers and motels. 

With so much choice, here’s a couple of smorgasboarder recommendations. 

Backpackers 

It’s hard to resist the Backpackers Inn. 

Right on the beach near the Wreck. Good 

common area complete with kitchen, pool 

table, outdoor bbq and sitting/ dining area. 

Laid back crew who run the joint. 

Budget 

When you are a mad keen surfer with a young 

family it is hard to beat Holiday Parks. They 

always have the best beachfront positions 

and they don’t get much better than those at 

Clarkes Beach or Suffolk Park. 

Clarkes Beach Holiday Park is situated 

metres from the sand right next to the world 

famous surf break The Pass and alongside the 

Byron Beach Cafe. There are powered and 

unpowered sites for caravans and tents and a 

range of holiday cabins to choose from all set 

amongst a tranquil bush setting. 

Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park is also 

right on Tallows Beach, home to a slightly 

more secluded surf break but no lesser a 

wave and adds a whole new dimension to 

the holiday park experience with its unique 

Safari Tents. It’s like camping but a great deal 

more comfortable. So if your wife is like mine 

and won’t entertain camping but the kids are 

nagging you to ‘sleep in a tent’, this is the 

perfect solution. 

Beachfront 

Apartments 

If a beachfront apartment is more your style, 

there are a couple of great options only a 

couple of hundred metres walk from the heart 

of town right on the beach near The Wreck. 

The Byron Beachcomber Resort has 

studio, one and two bedroom fully equipped 

apartments whilst Outrigger Bay Resort has 

both two and three bedroom apartments for 

those larger families or surfing possess. 

Unique 

Then there’s a place I actually photographed 

as inspiration for designing my own home. 

It is the Atlantic Guesthouses. There is a 

real touch of class about them. The design, 

the décor and the general ambience are 

something spectacular, as is the service. 

Accommodation ranges from premium or 

standard ensuites to spacious doubles or 

shared rooms. 

Luxurious 

For something altogether again there is 

Shambhala@Byron right at the end of 

Belongil Beach. Only around 1km from town 

it feels like you are miles away. Luxurious 

treehouses set beneath a rainforest canopy 

with magic beach views… think serenity, a 

moonlight Bali bath, relaxing in a hammock 

and you get the picture. 

$10 off 

YOUR FIRST 

GROUP LESSON! 

MENTION THIS AD 

Jonson St, BYRON BAY • 02 6680 9828 

www.blackdogsurfing.com 


BYRON BEACHFRONT 

MAIN: Relax on the beach at Clarke's Beach Holiday Park 

FROM TOP: 1. Top-shelf stay - Shambhala@Byron; 

2. Inside the Safari tents at Suffolk Beach Holiday Park; 3. 

Atlantic Guesthouses offer unique accommodation options, 

4. Clarke's Beach Holiday Park. PHOTOS Supplied 

Byrobn Bbaya 

Discover the 

Byron beachfront 

holiday the locals 

recommend 

• OUR LEGENDARY LOCALLY 

DESIGNED SAFARI TENTS 

Hassle-free camping in style. 

• ABSOLUTE UNCROWDED 

BEACHFRONT 

Yes, Tallow Beach is right here - one of 

Byron’s best surf breaks. 

• LOCAL SHOPS, EATERIES 

AND FAMILY PUB 

Short walk down the road. 

• CHILLED OUT 

NATURAL SETTING 

Modern facilities, cabins, camping 

and van sites. 

Discover a holiday park that takes you back to when you were a kid. 

ONLY 5KM SOUTH OF BYRON BAY 


99

Byron Bay... Where to stay 

BEACHCOMBER RESORT 

23-25 Shirley St, BYRON BAY 

WOLLONGBAR MOTEL 

19-21 Shirley St, BYRON BAY 

SHAMBHALA @ BYRON 

14 Childe St, BELONGIL 

CLARKES BEACH HOLIDAY PARK 

Off Lighthouse Rd, BYRON BAY 

BACKPACKERS INN 

ON THE BEACH 

29 Shirley Street, BYRON BAY 

Beachcomber Resort is the 

perfect Byron escape for 

surfers, their families and 

friends, with quality resort style 

accommodation which is in 

the heart of Byron Bay and its 

stunning beaches. 

With a variety of accommodation 

to suit every style and budget 

- from studios to 1-bedroom 

apartments and even dual key 

access, these beautiful and 

modern apartments are located 

close to shops, restaurants and 

cafes of Byron Bay. 

Proximity: 100 Metres to the 

beach (if that) 

P: 02 6639 6900 

E: info@beachcomberbyron.com.au 

www.beachcomberbyron.com.au 

Surfers take note: With a private 

path leading straight to The 

Wreck and a 2 minute walk to the 

heart of town, Wollongbar Motel 

is the perfect venue to experience 

Byron Bay. Wollongbar Motel is 

clean friendly and quiet. Features 

include; spacious, air-conditioned 

rooms, a saltwater swimming 

pool, large barbecue area and 

free parking. 

OFFER: Mention this ad for a 

complimentary breakfast! 

Proximity: Private path to the 

beach and 2 minute walk to 

centre of town. 

P: 02 6685 8200 

E: reservations@wollongbar.com 

www.wollongbar.com 

Majestic, hidden beachfront 

just minutes to the heart of 

town. Relax after a day in 

the surf in our ambient and 

tranquil environment. Beautiful 

rainforest setting with private 

spas, steam room, sauna. 

Perfect for couples or families. 

5-star, self-contained tree house 

retreats. 

Proximity: Absolute 

beachfront, on surf friendly 

Belongil beach. 15 minute 

walk to centre of town 

P: 1-800-SHAMBHALA 

E: enquiries@shambhala.org.au 

www.shambhala.org.au 

From $279 per night 

Located right on the beach at 

Byron Bay and the winner of the 

highest environmental award in 

the industry, the Gold Gumnut, 

this holiday park provides the 

perfect holiday setting for all 

ages. Guests have a choice of 

on-site cabin accommodation 

as well as powered and 

unpowered sites for caravans, 

motorhomes and tents. Enjoy 

direct access to the beach, 

superb accommodation and 

affordable rates. 

Proximity: Direct access to 

Clarkes Beach and walk to the 

Cape Byron Lighthouse. 

P: 02 6685 6496 

E: clarkesbeach@nchp.com.au 

www.northcoastholidayparks.com.au 

A true BEACH hostel focused 

entirely on budget backpacker 

accommodation. The only 

backpackers in Byron with direct 

beach access. Comfortable 

spacious dorms, double, twin, 

triple or single accommodation, 

this is the perfect location for 

surfers wanting to be right on 

the beach! 

Proximity: 45 seconds to the 

beach and 400 metres to the 

centre of Byron. 

FREE CALL: 1 800 817 696 

P: 02 6685 8231 

info@backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au 

backpackersinnbyronbay.com.au 

Rates from $25 per person 

From $95 per night for a 

studio room 

So many 

choices for 

all budgets 

Other than all of these great 

choices, you can go to 

www.byronbayaccom.net 

or www.puredrift.com 

to browse several hundred 

other options. 

9 Shirley Street, BYRON BAY 

Outrigger Bay is the perfect 

Byron getaway for the ultimate 

relaxing holiday. With direct 

access to the beach, these 

fabulous 2 or 3 bedroom 

apartments are not only in 

a stunning location but are 

also so close to Byron’s great 

restaurants and bars. This is 

an ideal location for a surfing 

holiday with the family or a 

group of friends. 

Proximity: DIRECT ACCESS to 

beach - only 50 metres walk and 

2 minute walk to town centre 

shops. 

P: 02 6685 8646 

E: info@outriggerbay.com 

www.outriggerbay.com 


ATLANTIC GUESTHOUSES 

13 Marvel St, BYRON BAY 

Located in the centre of Byron 

Bay, Atlantic Guesthouses is 

a unique way for you to enjoy 

your Byron Bay holiday. 

With a variety of budgets 

catered to, choose from the 

premium or standard ensuites, 

spacious doubles, shared rooms 

or select the very original 

American Airstream to truly 

experience a unique, boutique 

holiday. 

Proximity: Located in the 

centre of Byron Bay with a short 

walk to Main Beach. 

P: 02 6685 5118 

info@atlanticbyronbay.com.au 

www.atlanticbyronbay.com.au 

APARTMENTS INN BYRON 

20-22 Fletcher St, BYRON BAY 

If you and the family are looking 

for brand new and stylish 

accommodation in the centre 

of Byron Bay, you cannot go 

past Apartments Inn Byron. 

Beautiful accommodation, 

located only one block from 

the beach and surrounded by 

restaurants and shops this is 

ideal for a family holiday or a 

perfect romantic getaway. 

Proximity: 2 mins walk to main 

beach, in the heart of Byron Bay. 

P: 02 6620 9600 

innfo@apartmentsinnbyron.com.au 

www.apartmentsinnbyron.com.au 

See specials online 

SUFFOLK BEACHFRONT 

HOLIDAY PARK 

Alcorn Street, Suffolk Park 

(5km south of Byron Bay) 

You won’t find better Byron Bay 

surf accommodation than this! 

Absolute beachfront at one of 

Byron Bay’s best surf spots - 

beautiful Tallow Beach. 

Sites, cabins and Safari tents 

at affordable prices with clean, 

modern facilities and a relaxed 

coastal vibe. Many of our 

regulars return several times a 

year as they follow the breaks 

up and down the coast. 

Close to the action of Byron, 

yet far enough away so you 

can avoid the crowds and focus 

on catching that perfect wave. 

Proximity: Right on Tallow Beach 

Phone: 02 6685 3353 

info@suffolkbeachfront.com.au 

www.suffolkbeachfront.com.au 

Rates from $34 for two people 

TV 

gym 

laundry 

kitchen 

parking wi-fi pool airconditioning family-friendly pet-friendly spa 

bbq 


Thumbs 

Up! 

A place qapart(ment) 

While pulling this feature on Byron Bay together, we had the 

pleasure of spending two nights at the Apartments Inn at 22 

Fletcher Street, and what a pleasure it was... 

THE FIRST TEST. 

When you walk into a hotel or 

holiday apartments you want 

to be welcomed. The staff at 

Apartments Inn are exceptional. 

Courteous, polite and prompt but 

not too uptight, as can be the 

case with some establishments. 

We were made to feel welcome 

straight away by manager Alan 

Junor and his team and were off 

to our room in less than 2 minutes. 

SECOND TEST. 

We stayed in a two-bedroom 

apartment and it was incredibly 

spacious with a large kitchen 

area, dining table, lounge, outdoor 

setting, a full size bathroom and 

two good-sized bedrooms, one 

with an ensuite. Each of the rooms 

were beautifully furnished, well 

appointed and had a touch of class. 

THIRD TEST. 

And most important, our apartment 

was spotless. It was very clean, 

which always helps you to relax 

and unwind from the outset. 

The Apartments Inn opened in 

July 2009 and they still have that 

distinctly ‘new’ feel to them. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay 

and its central location was 

another plus. No need to worry 

about finding a park, which when 

Byron is busy can be a nightmare, 

not to mention the congestion 

centring around the Jonson and 

Lawson Street roundabout. 

The Apartments Inn is only 150m 

to Main Beach and you can 

walk to the many nearby shops, 

restaurants and cafes including 

the best breakfast in Byron right 

across the road at Dip Café. 

Don't take our word for it. 

Check out www.tripadvisor.com to 

see we're not alone in our praise. 

Regular comments from guests all 

praise the staff’s friendliness and 

the clean, spacious and wellappointed 

rooms. 

Apartments Inn won the North 

Coast Tourism Awards and was a 

finalist in the NSW Tourism Awards 

in 2010 and it’s not surprising. 

For more, check out the website 

www.apartmentsinnbyron.com.au. 

Inspired by boutique 

Carribean guesthouses with 

all you love about the relaxed 

Byron Bay lifestyle. 

A range of options from 

premium ensuite rooms to 

spacious double rooms with 

shared bathrooms. 

www.atlanticbyronbay.com.au 

Phone: (02) 6685 5118 

Fax: (02) 6680 9430 

Email: info@atlanticbyronbay.com.au 

13 Marvel St, Byron Bay NSW, 2481 

Certificate of Excellence 2011 


101

Byron Bay... 

uGet there!b 

Formerly Byron Bay 

Longboards... 

The first priority of a surfing holiday is to get there and get wet as quick as 

you can. With that in mind, Byron is super-accessible by plane. Jetstar and 

Virgin fly into the Gold Coast every day of the week from Hobart, Adelaide, 

Melbourne and Sydney. Alternatively you can fly Virgin from Melbourne. 

Hobart and Sydney to Ballina Airport. All flights are more or less under 

$200 one way if you book in advance, even under $100 from Sydney. 

From there it’s as easy as a quick call to Xcede Aiport Transfers. Gold 

Coast Airport to Byron is under $40. Ballina Airport To Byron only $15. 

Better still, if you book and pay online, you can save yourself a further 

20% and the guys at Xcede don’t charge extra for surfboards (within 

reason). Just make sure you let them know what you are packing in 

advance. 

If you are heading to Byron by car, again, it's pretty easy. From the 

Pacific Highway turnoff to the town itself is only a straight 10 min drive. 

Ph: 02 668 55244 

Shop 1/89 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481 

new name - new stock - same great service 

SHUTTLE BUS FOR 

YOU AND YOUR BOARD! 

Book online at www.xcede.com.au 

From Brisbane 

It’s only 1 hour and 40 minutes straight 

down the Pacific Highway. 

From Sydney 

770 kms and 8 ½ hours straight down 

the Pacific Highway. 

From Melbourne 

16 ½ hours drive and 1,640 kms. It’s 

simple, Hume Highway to Gundagai, 

Yass and Goulburn, pass the western 

outskirts of Sydney and then get onto 

the Pacific Highway near Pymble and 

follow it to Byron. 

From Adelaide 

2,100 kms and just over 22 hours drive. 

Take the Sturt Highway to Renmark 

onto Mildura, through Narrandera 

to Wagga Wagga and then onto the 

Hume Highway to Gundagai, Yass and 

Goulburn. You will pass the western 

outskirts of Sydney and then get onto 

the Pacific Highway near Pymble and 

follow it to Byron. 

Saying this, just fly. It's a massive 

drive. Save your energy for the waves 

and not for sitting down behind the 

wheel. 

So... 

Drive, fly, walk, run, fly... However you 

get there, Byron Bay will reward you 

in waves, views and unforgettable 

experiences. Put Byron on your mustvisit 

list and you, like so many others 

will be hooked for life. Enjoy. 


Tweed Valley 

Northern 

Rivers Region 

New England 

Region 

BRISBANE 104km 

Upper Clarence 

Region 

Coolangatta 

olang 

atta 

Tweed Heads 

Hastings Point 

BRUNSWICK HEADS 

BYRON BAY 

LENNOX HEAD 

Lismore 

BALLINA 

Grafton 

RED ROCK 

CORINDI 

MOONEE 

Coffs Harbour 

MYLESTOM 

URUNGA 

HUNGRY HEAD 

NAMBUCCA HEADS 

Macleay Valley 

SCOTTS HEAD 

EVANS HEAD 

Kempsey 

Port Macquarie 

BONNY NY HILLS 

LS 

NORTH HAVEN 

SYDNEY 370km 

Iluka 

Yamba 

18 beautiful 

coastal locations! 

MANY PARKS SITUATED DIRECTLY 

ON THE BEACH AND SOME WITH 

DIRECT BEACH ACCESS 

Pack up your boards & wetties 

and set off for an affordable 

stay at one of our 18 

holiday parks! They won’t 

cost you the world, yet 

offer you everything you 

need for your perfect surfari. 

POWERED 

SITES 

from ONLY $18 

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* Rate based on Nambucca Headland Holiday Park. 

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FOLLOW US ON 


103

uByron Bay ..v. 

THE VIBRANT 

The qPrecinctb 

INDUSTRIAL 

ESTATE HOME TO 

BYRON BAY’S 

SURF ROYALTY 


Within Australia you would be hard pressed 

to find more shaping experience, skill and 

knowledge concentrated in one small area. Byron 

Bay's industrial precinct, known as the Byron 

Bay Arts and Industry Park is the epicentre of 

surfboard design and construction in the region, 

arguably the country. Perhaps only Mona Vale in 

Sydney, or Torquay could be considered a rival 

for sheer volume of choice. So many talented 

surfboard makers have set up shop here. 

Yes, there are options... and lots of them. All 

manner of makes, models and surfboard designs 

by craftsmen widely regarded as not only the 

best in Australia, but the world, are on display 

here. Beyond the shapers, you can have fins 

made, get custom accessories, find expert ding 

repairs, artists and so much more. Is there 

anything you can't find within these few streets? 

But this is no surfer's mall. While you can drool 

over the final product in showrooms, more 

importantly, you can get a true sense of how 

the blood, sweat and tears get mixed in copious 

amounts with resin and foam dust. Here you get 

to look behind the scenes, because the residents 

live and breathe surfboards.. 

We take a look at a truly unique area and 

introduce you to those friendly and inspiring 

people that spoke with us about sharing the love 

of surfing through their craft. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

McTavish Surfboards 

91 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 6736 

www.mctavish.com.au 

McCoy Surfboards/ 

Town & Country 

10 Acacia Street • 02 6685 7485 


www.tcsurf.com.au 

Munro Surfboards 

29 Acacia Street • 02 6685 6211 

www.munrosurfboards.com.au 

Parkes Surfing 

4/83 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 6627 

www.parkesaustralia.com 

Maddog Surf Centre 

Ewingsdale Road • 02 6685 6022 

www.maddog.com.au 

ESP Surfboards 


www.espsurfshop.com.au 

Michael Cundith 

3 Banksia Drive • 02 6685 8778 


Crosslink Traction 


www.deckgrips.com 

Doctor Ding 


www.drdingsurfboardrepairs.com 

Emery Surfboards 

5/19 Tasman Way • 02 6685 5500 

www.emerysurfboards.com 

Surfari Maps 


www.surfarimaps.com 

9 

6 

4 

11 

10 

8 

1 

3 

2 

7 

5 


105

Bob McTavish still remains 

hands-on in the shaping bay. 

Photo: Samuel Lindsay 

"My personal pursuit of the endless progression of surfboard design will hopefully continue to revolutionise surfing." Bob McTavish 

The McTavish showroom and 

workshop in Centennial Circuit 


McaTavisbh 

Surfboards 

The name McTavish is synonymous with 

Byron Bay. Bob has been a part of the surf 

scene here since it began in the early sixties. 

His rationale for settling here was a happy 

medium between his love for Byron Bay and 

Lennox Head just down the road. His thought 

process is best explained in his autobiography 

Stoked!, “Where to settle? Which little 

coastal town offered all I needed? ...I could 

surf Lennox in the mornings while the wind 

was offshore, then move around to the shelter 

of The Pass and Wategos in the afternoon 

sea breezes: what an amazing combo.” And 

as such, Bob now lives at Suffolk Park at the 

southern end of Byron, smack bang between 

The Pass and Lennox. 

Inside the laminating room. 

Photo: Samuel Lindsay 

As for the board building side of things, his 

business continues to flourish. McTavish is truly 

an international company nowadays. The factory 

and retail operation, which form the hub of the 

McTavish operation, are still based in the Byron 

Bay Arts and Industry Park, but McTavish also 

distributes some 20 different models to over 30 

countries worldwide. 

With that said, the going hasn’t always been 

easy and it has been a long tough road to where 

the company is today. Over the course of the last 

45 years, the McTavish name and associated 

companies have existed in many forms. The first 

major distribution of custom McTavish Surfboards 

commenced with the ‘Bluebird’ model back in 

1972. It’s reputed to be the world’s first production 

shortboard and had a strong reputation for 

cutting edge design and performance. That same 

commitment to design excellence and performance 

continues today. 

“I have remained in Byron all this time working 

as a shaper, carving out boards by hand, keeping 

up with the movements and innovations of the 

younger crew, and still innovating where I can. 

It hasn’t been the most financially rewarding job 

choice, but it is immensely satisfying, creating 

vehicles that move and work in and around those 

spinning vortices known as waves, and customfitting 

them to thousands of surfers over the years.” 

The strength of resolve to forge ahead even 

through the tough times has ensured the McTavish 

brand remains true to its roots, making quality 

surfboards for surfers from all walks of life. 

1 

Today you can buy, or indeed order a custom 

made McTavish in a variety of shapes and sizes 

and even construction materials, from traditional 

fibreglass to SLX epoxy or Surftech Tuflite epoxy 

construction. In total, there are 2 models to choose 

from, ranging from shortboards through to stand-up 

paddleboards. 

Bob McTavish has always been well known for 

his longboards with the resurgence of the big 

M in the mid-nineties and the rise in popularity 

of modern longboarding, but it's his range of 

shortboards where a lot of work at present is 

being concentrated. And why not, he is widely 

recognised as one of the founding fathers of the 

shortboard revolution, so his input and innovation 

is as valid today as ever. Two new notable entries 

to the McTavish quiver are the Bobsled - a 

shortboard quad with speed to burn and as loose 

as a goose - and the Sumo - a high volume midlength 

with a pulled in pin tail. Easy to paddle and 

a whole lot of fun. 

With such a multitude of boards to choose from, 

it's very comforting to know you can in fact hire 

one out to take it for a burn. Pleasingly, the entire 

range of McTavish Surfboards are available for 

hire at their Byron Bay Factory Outlet. So if you're 

planning on visiting Byron for a bit of a holiday 

or just travelling through, you can test out which 

McTavish model is best for you. Board hire costs 

$40 a day or $200 per week. Better still, if you 

decide to purchase a board after hiring one out, you 

will get your hire board money back off the price of 

your new board up to a value of $120. 

ABOVE: Bob McTavish, 1969. 

Photo: Billy Dawson 

BELOW: Bob gets barrelled at 

Lennox. Photo: John Milek 

91 Centennial Circuit • 02 6685 6736 • www.mctavish.com.au • sales mctavish.com.au 

Byron Bay ... The precinct 


107


RIGHT: The man and his creations. 

ABOVE: Geoff McCoy takes some time out for a chat. 

McaCoy 

Surfboards 

"High 

performance 

is a myth, 

something created 

by clothing 

companies and 

pure ignorance. " 

Geoff McCoy 

Growing up, my parents 

instilled in me the importance 

of speaking your mind. “Silence 

is golden but sometimes it's 

yellow. Show tact son, but 

never kiss arse and don’t be a 

coward in expressing your point 

of view,” was what they always 

said to me. 

It is the best advice I have ever 

been given. And it is probably 

why I think the world of this 

bloke... A legendary shaper. 

From the moment I met him, I 

liked him. No bullshit. What you 

see is what you get. 

If there is one person who 

epitomises the smorgasboarder 

spirit, it's Geoff McCoy. He 

doesn’t care about what is cool. 

He simply designs boards that 

deliver the most enjoyment. 

The more I see of his designs 

and hear the explanations behind 

what he does, the closer I become 

to a McCoy devotee. And believe 

me, there are a lot out there. A 

good mate of mine picked up 

a McCoy a few years back and 

hasn’t stop raving about it since. 

Once hooked, McCoy surfers 

seem to become members of the 

"McCoy Boys" club. 

As for his design philosophies, 

it’s best I leave Geoff to explain 

them himself in his own 

uncompromising way. 

“High performance does not 

exist in my world at all. 

“High performance is a myth, 

something created by clothing 

companies and pure ignorance. 

It’s just bullshit and has nothing 

to do with actual surfing 

performance and true design 

for the majority of surfers. The 

illusions created are totally 

unattainable for all but the very 

best. 

“Performance surfing can be 

achieved on all levels from 

beginner to elite. It is just that 

each level requires a different 

performance to have the desired 

outcome. There is no point 

having a high performance 

surfboard when you are only 

average, as it does not work.” 

The McCoy Energy Theory 

“I have a passion as a surfboard 

designer to pursue the truth 

and source what objects are 

best suited for people to ride on 

waves with pure function and 

ease of control for the surfer. 

I now understand the common 

denominator is ‘pure energy’, 

pure energy moving through a 

mass of water which forms a 

wave. 

“Unless a designer can 

understand the principals of 

pure energy and how to harness 

it in a functional sense, it's 

almost impossible to build an 

object to ride on that is easy 

to control. Through years of 

surfing and testing boards, I've 

developed a deep understanding 

of riding a wave, including how 

the wave functions, the reaction 

water has to objects and the 

technique required to control 

and ride a wave. 

“Heightened awareness has 

helped me to discover the 

importance of neutralising an 

object’s reaction to a wave. To 

give the surfer a more stable 

platform to surf off and a much 

more practical and user-friendly 

way to go surfing. In achieving 

this within surfboard design, the 

surfer dictates the moves and 

is not prone to an over-reactive, 

highly sensitive, hard-to-control 

surfboard that many surfers 

battle with every time they take 

off on a wave. 

“The boards I design perform 

functions on a wave with ease. 

They provide the surfer with 

the freedom to catch and ride 

waves without the struggle, 

which in turn allows surfers 

of all abilities to improve their 

performance overall, because 

they're catching more waves 

and because of the ease of 

performance of their board. 

“I have said it many times 

before and will continue to 

say it until the message gets 

through. There is no connection 

between high performance 

professional equipment and the 

part-time, recreational surfer. 

It’s a simple as that. Do not get 

sucked in by some ignorant fool 

that calls themself a surfboard 

designer with a large brown 

stain around their neck dribbling 

uncoordinated unrealistic... 

about how their best team riders 

are ripping on the latest disaster 

they manifested. 

“If nothing else, so-called high 

performance equipment has 

proven how dysfunctional it 

is in the hands of the average 

surfer and should be avoided 

completely.” 

Geoff McCoy’s philosophy is 

best summed by what Google 

brings up for his name... McCoy 

Surfboards, high performance 

Australian made surfboards for 

surfers of all ability levels. 



Town & 

bCountury 

2 

Surfboardsv 

Town & Country and McCoy 

Surfboards sit comfortably side by 

side in the same building at 10 Acacia 

Street in the Industrial Estate at Byron 

Bay. One stop. Awesome boards. Easy. 

It's often been said, 

“People, not machines, 

make surfboards.” No truer 

words could be spoken when 

referring to Town & Country 

Surfboards in Byron Bay. 

In the PSM (Professional 

Surfboard Manufacturing) 

factory, where Town & 

Country surfboards are made, 

the combined experience 

handcrafting surfboards adds 

up to over 220 years. It goes 

without saying, these guys 

know a thing or two about 

surfboard design. Imagine 

the boards shaped during this 

time. Let’s face it, experience 

does count. 

Now it may not look like 

much from the outside and 

there's no sexy sales people 

inside (except Michelle of 

course) but hell, it's one hell 

of a factory showroom. It's 

cavernous, with just loads of 

surfboards. There are rows 

upon rows of shortboards, 

hybrids, longboards, second 

hand boards as well as the 

complete McCoy range. 

DOUG UNGER, the head 

honcho and proprietor of PSM, 

a born and bred Byron Bay 

local who started his career 

as a sander back in the 70’s 

explains their commitment to 

quality: “We all work together 

to get the best quality boards 

for surfers, from beginners to 

pros. Our team put there hands 

to top notch labels such as 

our own, Town & Country 

since 1983, and also McCoy, 

Maddog, Mark Richards 

and San Juan since 1966. 

Quality is the key in today’s 

marketplace and to get quality, 

it takes all the people in 

one place working together 

towards a common goal.” 

Let’s meet the people behind 

the scenes. 

LEFT: The Buzz at work 

ABOVE: The T&C showroom 

BRUNO ‘THE BUZZ’ 

BUZZOLAN 

Grew up on the NSW South 

Coast and began shaping 

boards for himself and his 

mates in 1972 before moving 

to Byron in 1978. He started 

at Sky Surfboards working 

alongside the likes of Bob 

McTavish, George Greenough, 

Chris Brock, Michael Cundith, 

Rod Dahlberg and Nev Hyman, 

Tony Cerff, Gunther Rohn and 

Geoff McCoy. 

“I’ve always liked boards to be 

fast, responsive and forgiving. 

The average Joe has only 

one board, so it must handle 

1-6 foot conditions and even 

up to 8 foot occasionally. 

So, I concentrate on design 

aspects to produce the perfect 

all-rounder. Boards that work 

in 2 foot slop to lumpy 6 foot 

chunks and still go off in 2-6 

foot clean pits. The individual’s 

personal preference, ability 

and location they surf, as 

well as the best features of 

comp models, are the main 

influences in my designs.” 

‘GYPO’ ROBERT FENECH 

Born in Maroubra, he started 

his own backyard surfboard 

business when he was just 15 

years of age. He’s been hand 

shaping surfboards since. 

When Gypo moved to Byron 

Bay he too began working for 

Sky Surfboards. 

"Shaping since 1975, through 

the major years of evolution in 

performance shortboards, has 

given me a solid understanding 

of design facets - rockers, 

outlines, rails, bottom shapes 

and fins. 

"Using this knowledge and 

experience is crucial to the 

progression of future surfboard 

design. My Hybrid series is 

the start in a new direction of 

performance surfboard design. 

Not so focused on contest or 

aerial surfing, but performance 

in a way that would suit the 

majority of surfers at any level." 

GARY BURMESTER, with 

over 30 years experience, 

and MICHAEL MCLENNAN 

are champion laminators. 

Their skill coupled with 

our temperature controlled 

glassing room results in 

boards with superior strength 

to weight ratios. 

ROY MEISEL is the expert 

showroom fountain-ofknowledge 

for all things surf 

related. Roy’s been a part of 

the industry his whole life and 

knows his stuff. Indeed, Roy was 

the original owner of the iconic 

surfboard label Bare Nature. 

PAUL GOFFETT 

With over 30 years experience, 

he is one of the best sanders 

in the world. (After shaping 

our own boards we know only 

too well how much of a skill 

sanding really is. It's where 

most boards come unstuck. 

Great design + crap sander = 

crap board.) 

ALONZO PUNKER'S dream 

was to one day work for T&C. 

His clothes and car reflect his 

attitude:“Surfing Is My Life” 

and “One Day I’ll Get A Real 

Job” and he did! Alonzos’ 

enthusiasm pumped us all up. 

His sprays and shapes speak 

for themselves. Spray art and 

airbrushing are his specialities. 

PAUL CARDEN 

Gloss coater/ polisher. 18 

years experience puts finishes 

to boards that are pure 

perfection. Together with 

PETER GROVER, the boys 

polish boards that outshine the 

competition. No dull patches. 

DARREN BIRCH 

The fin man. Multi-skilled and 

over 25 years experience. 

MICHELLE MORRISON 

The office manager who 

together with Doug, keep 

things ticking along smoothly. 

Next time you're in Byron Bay, 

drop in and meet the team in 

person yourself. 

02 6685 7485 • www.tcsurf.com.au 


109

I first came across Brett 

Munro’s handiwork when my 

brother returned from a trip to 

Byron some years ago. He had 

commented how at ease he 

was talking with Brett about 

getting a board custom made. 

“He’s not up himself and there’s 

no attitude. He just listens to 

what you want, answers your 

questions, asks a few of his 

own and steers you in the right 

direction.You’re not made to 

feel like a dickhead if you don't 

understand the intricacies of 

surfboard design.” 

Brett is as down-to-earth as 

they come and I have sincerely 

enjoyed catching up with him 

each and every time I have 

passed through Byron. Truth 

be told, I would attribute a lot 

of things I have learnt about 

surfboards to date from my chats 

with Brett. He certainly doesn’t 

try to over complicate discussions 

with high-tech bullshit. 

Most importantly, his boards are 

the goods and for peace of mind, 

an SBT microchip anti-theft 

protection system is available. 

Performance orientated in their 

design, he shapes a multitude of 

boards from twin-keel fishes and 

Brett's a Kiwi, so sound interested in rugby and attest 

to the fact the All Blacks are sure to win the next World 

Cup, full knowing they will choke at the last hurdle, just 

so he looks after you with an extra special board. 

Mounrno 

Handcrafted vSurfboards 

quads to shortboard thrusters, 

single fins and longboards. 

Many a professional title has 

been claimed on his boards, 

including Beau Young’s two 

world titles. 

As for my brother’s 7’4” sky blue 

thruster with Speeed Fins and 

carbon fibre rods near the rails, 

it goes like the clappers. He 

rates it as one of his favourite 

boards. Eight years on, it 

still looks brand new, which 

speaks volumes of the quality 

craftsmanship and the top end 

materials they use at Munro. 

BRETT MUNRO 

Hand shaping surfboards for 

close to 40 years, Brett started 

out as an understudy to Kingsley 

‘Knackers’ Kernoski in Whangamatta, 

NZ in 1974. 

After six years as a partner in 

Saltwater Surfboards, in 1981 

he moved to Coffs Harbour and 

established Prana Surfboards 

until 1993, when he moved 

to Byron Bay starting up 

Heart’n’Soul and Munro. 

29 Acacia St • 02 6685 6211 

www.munrosurfboards.com.au 

3 

4 

DAVE PARKES 

first starting shaping 

kneeboards back in the 

Friar Tuck factory at 

Brookvale in 1978 before 

the company moved to 

Byron Bay in 1981, Dave 

took over the business 

in 1983. 

NEIL LUKE has been 

shaping kneeboards since 

1970, surfing the heavy 

reef breaks of Phillip 

Island and working with 

Island Surfboards until 

he moved to Byron Bay a 

couple of years back to 

work with Dave 

4/83 Centennial Circuit 

02 6685 6627 


bParkes 

Surfing 

As a surfer and a shaper Dave Parkes has 

walked the walk. He is a six-time Australian 

Kneeboard Champion and has shaped 

countless kneeboards as well as a variety of 

surfboards for over 30 years, learning from 

legendary surfers and shapers. And to further 

add to the credibility, legendary kneeboarder 

and shaper, Neil Luke also works out of the 

Parkes Factory. 

Now I must admit I have never given 

kneeboarding a go. But with that said, I will 

certainly take up the boys offer and give it a 

crack next time I am passing through Byron. 

Like everything surf related, I am always keen 

to personally explore new frontiers. Let’s face 

it, it’s not as if kneeboarding is a ‘new’ frontier. 

It was incredibly popular in the 70’s following 

movies such as George Greenough’s Innermost 

Limits of Pure Fun in 1968 and seems to be 

enjoying somewhat of a resurgence nowadays. 

Personally, I think kneeboarding is unreal. Our 

mag has always celebrated the unbridled joy 

of surfing, no matter what board you choose 

to ride. Pleasingly, most open-minded surfers 

these days don’t care much for how they look 

are what is ‘in’. They are simply out there to 

have fun and enjoy surfing on all manner of 

craft and thank bloody goodness for that. 

Anyhow, back to my kneelo friends. Guys 

like Dave Parkes and Neil Luke seem to have 

always been at the forefront of surfboard 

design. They’re totally uninhibited in relation 

to surfboard design and are more than 

comfortable pushing the boundaries. They 

aren’t too concerned about conforming to what 

is the ‘in’ shape. They simply hand craft boards 

to suit the rider and the ‘feel’ they are after. 

This dedication to innovation and an openly 

collaborative approach to shaping means the 

Parkes Factory breaks the mould producing 

boards that feature a combination of proven 

designs, new approaches to design and 

construction, and rigorous testing. 

Here they craft kneeboards by Dave Parkes and 

Neil Luke and the Friar Tuck label 

The factory not only shapes kneeboards but 

also a variety of other surfcraft, such as Midget 

Farrelly Longboards which are made under 

licence. Previously mini mals and malibus were 

made for Scott Dillon, as well as performance 

shortboards for Garrett Parkes and his mates. 


uMaddogv 

bSurf Centre 

A massive range of gear is 

available in store at Maddog 

Vintage board 

fans have 

plenty to see 

as well 

The big red building on the corner of Ewingsdale and 

Banksia is home to Maddog and San Juan Surfboards. 

Well priced and well made is the best way I can describe 

these boards. Not only that, Maddog headquarters at 

Byron Bay has a bloody good range. Every time I visit I 

come out salivating. Yes, I must admit to a massive soft 

spot for San Juan Surfboards. 

I have surfed for most of my life but lost touch with the 

waves during my mid teens. When I rediscovered surfing, 

it was thanks to a liquid flame red Juan. I surfed her for 

some 14-odd years before she came to an untimely end 

in a sizeable swell at Currumbin. My red Juan now sits 

pride of place above the bar, albeit in two pieces. 

Anyhow I digress, if you want variety of colours, shapes, 

different lengths... Maddog’s headquarters at Byron Bay 

has the lot. 

John has been going about his business since the 1970’s. 

Maddog Surf Centre is not only a wealth of history thanks 

to all the vintage boards on display on the floor and 

across the rafters, but is an absolute warehouse of brand 

new surfboards of every size, style shape, colour and 

description including brands like JS, DHD and Al Merrick. 

If you're a fan of Mark Richards' boards, you might be 

interested to know that Maddog have been glassing 

them since the 70s. They also stock a wide range of his 

boards, from retro twinnies to MR's current performance 

boards. There's also a massive selection of secondhand 

boards for the bargain shoppers, newbies, backpackers 

and hopeful collectors. 

Sure they have clothes, wetsuits, accessories and the 

like but they are much more than your stereotypical 

surf fashion retail store. Maddog is a surf hardware 

shop first and foremost... A surfers' surf shop. If surfing 

is less about following a fashion trend and more 

about following your heart, you'll feel right at home at 

Maddog’s headquarters. 

John and Mark, along with younger gun Beau, provide 

good, old-fashioned service and actually know something 

about surfboards. Now who would have thought? 

After all, they've been around the surfboard shaping 

environment for donkey’s years and can advise you on 

the right board for your ability level. 

And for those interested in the art of it all, you can 

actually see boards being shaped in the shaping bay. It's 

not some token shaping bay with a glass window looking 

through to an empty room for atmospheric effect but a 

shaping bay used five days a week by in-house shapers, 

Mark Plater and Matt Crisp. 

Ewingsdale Road 

02 6685 6022 


5 



111

Jeremy 'X' Williams 

bESP 

Surfboardus 

Luke Cooper Photo Balistyle 

“Any shaper 

worth their salt 

should be vfamiliar 

with all aspects 

of design.”o 

Ed Sinnott cb 

6 


0404 059 321 


Ed Sinnott has pretty much seen 

it all. His career has spanned the 

single-fin, twin-fin, thruster and 

the modern longboard. 

“When I started surfing in 

the late sixties many of the 

surf companies and board 

manufacturers of today didn’t 

exist. We didn’t wear leg ropes, 

wetsuits were basically non 

existent and no one would have 

ever conceived you could get a 

surfboard made in China or that 

plastic boards made in Thailand 

would ever be acceptable.” 

"The angle that got me into 

surfboard design in the first 

place was a creative one. In the 

seventies as a teenager I was at 

art school doing the bohemian 

thing, surfing everyday, painting, 

drawing, doing leatherwork and 

repairing dings for cash. 

“I started working at John 

Skipp’s factory, painting 

surfboards, doing pin lines, 

polishing, sanding, glassing, 

sweeping the floor, doing dings 

and gradually shaping more and 

more. I just had this incredible 

drive and passion to create 

really good surfboards. It was all 

about the creation and the joy of 

riding those pieces of functional 

sculpture out in the ocean." 

Ed first picked up a planer back 

in 1976 and has not turned it 

off since. Originating from The 

Gong, today he lives in Byron 

taking every opportunity to surf 

classic line ups such as Broken 

Head, The Pass, Tallows and 

Lennox. He still does what he 

started doing over thirty years 

ago, surfing and shaping every 

day, playing music, writing songs 

and staying fit. By his thinking, 

he is living the dream. 

“Over the last 30 years I have 

shaped over 18,000 surfboards 

for a huge variety of people from 

all over the world and gained 

invaluable experience by shaping 

for surfers on the ASP World Tour 

as well as several World, State 

and Australian title holders. 

“I shape the whole spectrum 

of surfboard design, everything 

including hi-performance 

shortboards, fishes, mini mals, 

retro designs and longboards. 

In my opinion, any shaper worth 

their salt should be familiar 

with all aspects of design. 

My shaping focus is intergenerational.” 

Since 1976, Ed has combined 

his knowledge of surfing with a 

passion for hard work, originality 

and innovation within the field of 

surfboard manufacturing. 

In a world where mass 

production and pop-outs from 

Asian countries abound it’s 

refreshing to see someone still 

following tradition and living the 

dream as a surfer/shaper. 

“I personally chose to 

manufacture my boards 

using Australian workers and 

materials. Mass production, 

plastic surfboards and the 

hard sell are not my scene and 

never ever will be. Producing 

professionally made surfboards 

of A1 quality is. Here at ESP we 

are proud of what we do and 

as a group of Australian surfers 

we have never embraced the 

propaganda pushed in the surf 

media by companies owned 

by overseas dollars promoting 

Asian surfboards. 

“The fantastic shapers and 

craftsmen I learned from and 

worked with were all at one 

time master surfer/shapers 

including Terry Richardson, 

Frank Latta, Michael and Tom 

Peterson, Kevin Parkinson, Carl 

Schaefer, John Skipp, Ben Shaw, 

Tom Storey and Ralph Riddell." 

Ed plans to continue carrying 

the flame of creating quality 

Australian, hand made 

surfboards. Amen to that. 


Michael Cundith 

Surf Designs 

Shortboards, longboards, all types of fish 

boards; dart fish, speed fish, big boys fish, 

Danny Wills signature models, Bob Cooper 

Blue Machine longboards, fun boards, 

lip hit shortboards, mini mals, Hawaiian 

guns, retro surfboards, kneeboards, balsa 

longboards and even Sail Skee sailboats... 

Michael Cundith shapes pretty much any 

type of watercraft. 

He's a master craftsman and an innovative 

watercraft designer who, after all these 

years, is still constantly refining and 

improving his designs. Yes, he shapes 

everything and anything and he excels at it. 

With over 50 years of shaping experience, 

Michael along with his good friend George 

Greenough, can certainly lay claim to 

being one of the pioneers of modern 

shortboards. 

In store, MC also stocks 

an extensive range of 

softboards and surf 

accessories including 

Carver Surfboard Racks 

and his wife Toshie’s very 

own range of surf hats 

called Protecsun - surf 

hats that stay on with a 

brim design that enables 

surfers to duck-dive with 

ease. 

For the friendly service 

and Michael's wealth 

of knowledge alone it's 

worth a visit, but it'll be 

hard to leave without a 

board under your arm. 


ABOVE: Wilderness Surfboards in the '60s 

His story dates back to when at only 12, 

riding an inflatable air mat he discovered 

a love for riding waves. At age 13 he had 

acquired a longboard and had started to 

cut the rails off, peeling back the glass to 

reshape his board so it was easier for him 

to carry. By the time he was 16 he was 

totally involved with surfboard design and 

has been shaping full time since. 

For the history buffs out there, he was 

the founder of the famous Wilderness 

Surfboards in Santa Barbara and made 

George Greenough Stubbies. In the 60's he 

was part of the second wave of surfers to 

be part of the Santa Barbara County Surf 

Club - surf custodians of the legendary 

Hollister Ranch. Later on he moved to 

Australia shaping boards with Bob Cooper 

in Coffs Harbour and worked for San 

Juan with Nat Young. Following that, he 

shaped boards with Kevin Platt in Noosa 

before returning to Byron to shape for Sky 

Surfboards in the very same factory he's 

in today, only nowadays the business is 

his own. 

Michael, with his wife Toshie and their two 

boys ….. together run Byron Bay Surfboards. 

It's a family business and it shows. They're 

lovely people who all live and breathe surfing, 

and will help you to no end in finding the right 

board. They stand behind their product because 

the quality of their craftsmanship is beyond 

question. 

Rest assured in the board you order from 

Michael Cundith. He thinks, dreams and lives 

surfboards. And he's also an innovative designer 

of surfboards fins. 

7 

3 Banksia Drive 

02 6685 8778 


ABOVE: MC cutback 

on the original 

Stubbie and BELOW 

& RIGHT: Gene 

Cundith and the 

Stubbie of today 


113

More 

talenot 


There are loads of other talented people 

working in the Byron Bay Arts & Industry 

Park, some doing their own thing and 

others working in the established 

factories whilst developing their craft 

behind the scene. 

Skerry Surfboards 

Travelling down the entire east coast 

of Australia we call in to some 400 odd 

surf shops distributing smorgasboarder. 

As you can imagine, we see a hell of a 

lot of boards. Lots and lots of boards… 

beautiful boards, amazing craftsmanship 

and a fair bit of crap as well. 

So it is a mighty big statement when we 

say this, Simon Skerry’s resin artwork is 

the best we have seen. His boards are 

works of art. 

They are so stunning, I don’t know 

whether to ride them or hang them on 

my wall. But in my deliberation, I find 

myself just staring at the board, the 

intricate details, the amount of skill it 

must take and the painstaking hours 

he must dedicate to create such truly 

unique surfboards. They just blow my 

mind. Nothing more needs to be said. 

Seeing is believing. 

www.skerrysurfboards.com 

North Coast Surfboards 

Exceptional boards, including various 

stock models by world renowned shaper 

Donald Takayama and Bear. 

The shapers, glassers and guys in the 

trenches that produce these boards are 

highly skilled and extremely talented, 

and by all reports, good blokes. 

Emery Surfboards 

With high-tech, modern boards, Al Emery 

is focused very much on clean sharp 

lines and neat white high-performance 

boards, but adds a bit of humour to the 

quiver with his retros: "Short Shorts? 

Moustache? These are the boards for 

you!" says the website. 

The label's very supportive of young 

local surfers, and has a team roster to 

prove it. www.emerysurfboards.com 

Guys Hastings 

He’s the map man. Freelance decorative 

painter, illustrator and pictorial map 

maker, Guy Hastings makes incredible 

surf maps of all descriptions. Combining 

science, aesthetics, and technique, 

his cartographic surf maps detail your 

favourite breaks. 

You can check out more of his work 

online at www.surfarimaps.com 

Doctor Ding 

The guys here excel in fixing all 

types of surfboard - from lightweight 

performance shortboards all the way 

to heavyweight tinted logs. Their work 

covers minor dings to major surgery, 

small fractures to full creases and snaps, 

in standard PU fibreglass and Epoxy. 

If you need your board quickly, they also 

offer 24-hour turnaround and pick up/ 

delivery services to make things easy. 

Seven days a week they are there to 

get you back in the water as soon as 

humanly possible. They are truly good 

blokes as well with grand plans for their 

little business. Just keep an eye on what 

they have planned. 

www.drdingsurfboardrepairs.com or 

drop in at 2/68 Centennial Circuit. 

9 

11 

10 

Crosslink Traction 

ABOVE: Simon Skerry's 

finishing touches make great 

boards unbelievable. 

LEFT: Doctor Ding checks up on 

one of his patients 

BELOW LEFT: Any kind of 

traction, Crosslink can make it. 

BELOW: Map-king, Guy Hastings 

If you need to get a grip, these are the go-to people. Makers 

of traction pads, stand up paddleboard grips, malibu grips, 

longboard grips, retro tail pads, surf lifesaving pads and 

kneeboard grips all customised to suit, even with your 

personalised colour logos for your boardriders club or surf 

business. Crosslink will keep you firmly stuck to your board 

- and you'll have a hard time getting out of the workshop 

without a chat. 

It's all Australian made too, so you can feel good about 

supporting a local manufacturer. See more on their grips 

online at their freshly revamped website: www.deckgrips.com. 

With this much surfboard manufacturing talent all 

crammed into just a few blocks, make sure to take 

that left turn as you're heading into Byron, and pay 

these good people a visit. You might find yourself 

leaving with a few new toys. 


No big brands. No marketing hype. 

Just cool merchandise from the salt of the Australian surf community 

One website - heaps of 

shapers and surf shops shirts... 


115

BOBSLED 

Length: 6’0” – 7’10” 

Width: 20 ½” – 22 ½” 

Thickness: 2 ½” – 3” 

Nose: 15” +/- 

Tail: 15” +/- 

Description: The Bobsled 

is rigged out with the 

most comfortable quad 

set-up available, fast and 

loose, with no slip! It has 

speed to burn and more 

thrust than a thruster. 

Features full boxy rails, 

concave through-out with 

softening bevels and 

substantial width. 

Construction: Custom PU 

foam and fibreglass or SLX 

EPS/Epoxy construction. 

Fins: FCS M3/M5 or M5/ 

M7 Quads 

Shaper comment: 

The Bobsled allows 

comfortable turns on any 

part of the wave, snappy 

face pivots, pumps, 

weaves, and deep gouges. 

Paddles like a real bigguys-short-board, 

high 

and level. 

CARVER MICRO 

Length: 7’0” – 8’6” 

Width: 20” – 22 ¼” 

Thickness: 2 ½” – 3” 

Nose: 15” -/+ 

Tall: 14 ½” -/+ 

Description: The Carver 

is a McTavish staple that 

has been in production 

for many years. The latest 

update to the model sees 

the nose thinned out 

slightly, but the rest of the 

features remain the same 

coz if it ain’t broke.... 

The Carver has a single 

concave nose to reduce 

weight, and a deep double 

concave tail for maximum 

drive and manouverability. 




Fins: FCS PC-7 dualdensity 

foam-core 

thruster set 


The board is loose and 

lively off the tail, and will 

handle waves from 2-10 

ft +. A must for any midlength 

fan! 

THE EGG 

Length: 6’0” – 6’6” 

Width: 20 ½” – 22” 

Thickness: 2 1/2” – 3” 

Nose: 16” -/+ 

Tail: 17” -/+ 

Description: The Egg 

has tons of volume, a flat 

tail rocker, and a 2+1 fin 

set-up that gives drive 

and manoeuvrability 

on any day under about 

6 ft. The full rails are 

comfortable, and won’t 

catch as you weave your 

way through a thick 

summer crowd! 


foam and fibreglass. 

Fins: Centre finbox 

with 6” Australian-made 

fibreglass McTavish 

fin and FCS GX-Q dualdensity 

foam-core side 

fins. 


The classic double-ender 

fun machine! The Egg is a 

flat, stubbie little number, 

capable of bringing 

a smile to your face 

even when its 2 ft and 

onshore. One to add to 

the small-day quiver. 

TWINFISH 

Length: 5’10” – 6’6” 

Width: 21” – 22” 

Thickness: 2 5 /8” – 3” 

Nose: 17” -/+ 

Tall: 16 ½” -/+ 

Description: Revised 

for 2011 the Twinfish is 

now even more authentic 

to its roots. The updated 

board features a flatter 

entry rocker, fuller nose 

template and lower rails. 

The flat entry rocker 

makes this board easy to 

paddle in, and fast down 

the line, especially on the 

smaller days. 



Fins: Australian made 

Glass-on keel fins or FCS 

removable keels 


A great small-wave 

cruiser, with an old-skool 

feel. 

SCOOTER 

Length: 5’10” – 6’6” 

Width: 20” – 22” 

Thickness: 2 ½” – 3 1 /8” 

Nose: - 17” -/+ 

Tail: - 16 ½” -/+ 

Description: From the 

depths of the masters 

mind comes the Scooter. 

The Scooter is highvolume, 

has low sharp 

rails, and a wide tail 

template to create drive 

from nothing. 



Fins: Centre finbox with 

9” Australian-made 

fibreglass McTavish fin or 

FCS MR-TX Quad Set in 

Glassflex. 


A flat little pocket-rocket 

that’ll turn even the 

junkiest conditions into a 

whole lotta fun. The battail 

and quad fin set-up 

top off one of the most fun 

surfboards in our range. 

Perfect for the on-shore 

east-coast summer days! 

Founded by surf industry pioneer Bob McTavish, McTavish Surfboards have been in production non-stop since 1962. 


GEAR: BOARDS 

SUMO 

Length: 6’2” – 7’6” 

Width: 21” – 23” 

Thickness: 2 ½” – 3 1 /8” 

Nose: 18” -/+ 

Tail: 14 ½” -/+ 

Description: The all-new 

Sumo model is a highvolume 

mid-length with 

speed to burn. The wide 

point is way forward, and 

the tail is pulled into a 

tight pin, around the 14” 

mark. 




6” Australian-made 




fins. Can also be ridden as 

a single fin if preferred. 


With all the volume under 

your chest the board is 

easy to paddle, and once 

you’re up and riding that 

narrow tail really comes 

into play. 

THE NEO 

Length: 9’4” – 10’1” 

Width: 22 ½” – 23 ¼” 

Thickness: 2 ¾” – 3 ¼” 

Nose: 17 ½” -/+ 

Tail: 14 ½” -/+ 

Description: The bottomshape 

is simple, with 

a subtle nose concave, 

and very slightly rolled 

tail. The hatchet creates 

the drag needed for long 

noserides, but once you’re 

on the tail it comes around 

nice and smooth. 




10.5” Australian-made 


hatchet fin 


Ideal for waves up to 

3-4ft, for nose-riding, The 

NEO is an all-new Cali 

inspired log. This board 

is the pinnacle of quality 

laminating, with resin art, 

tinted fabric stripes and 

patches, and beautiful 

pinline work. pivoting 

off the tail and speedtrimming 

down the line. 

THE UFO 

Length: 9’0” – 9’2” 

Width: 22” – 22 ¾” 

Thickness: 2 ¾” – 2 7 /8” 

Nose: 17” -/+ 

Tall: 14 “ -/+ 

Description: The best 

of our F4 progressive 

longboard fused with 

the rocker profile of our 

famous Original model. 

The F4’s elegant lines 

deliver the speed, the 

Original’s rocker supplies 

the vertical component. 

This is a 6” nose rocker, 

and a 4” tail rocker, 

dropped in late (being 

fairly abrupt). That leaves 

the rocker still quite stiff 

in the engine room under 

your feet, resulting in 

plenty of thrust despite 

the tail rocker. The tailkick 

simply allows you to 

jam vertical, with no loss 

of speed overall. 









fins 


The perfect combo! 

THE UF8 

Length: 7’6” – 8’6” 

Width: 21 ½” – 22 ¾” 

Thickness: 2 ¾” – 3 1 /8” 

Nose: 18” -/+ 

Tail: 14 ½” -/+ 

Description: The UF8 

has a pulled in pointed 

nose, and a progressive 

rocker profile with a 

flipped nose and tail. The 

bottom-shape features 

a slight concave in the 

nose, running into a 

double in the tail for a 

lively feel. 








fins. 


The UF8 is an 8 foot 

version of our super 

popular UFO model. The 

template shrinks down 

perfectly to give a very 

high performance midlength 

board, which really 

excels in punchy beach 

and reef break conditions, 

from 3 ft up. 

CARVER FISH 

Length: 6’8” – 7’8” 

Width: 19” – 22” 

Thickness: 2 5 /8” – 3” 

Nose: 14 ½” -/+ 

Tall: 15 ½” -/+ 

Description: Updated 

for 2011 the Carver Fish is 

now a more focused ‘bigguys-shortboard’ 

and has 

a pulled in nose template, 

a quad fin set-up, and 

more lift in the nose. 



Fins: FCS M3/M5 or M5/ 

M7 Quads or standard 

PC-7 thruster also 

available upon request. 


The Carver Fish is an 

awesome performer. Best 

suited to big, clean days, 

when you have an open 

face to carve. A great 

travel board for that trip 

to Indo, or bigger days on 

your local outside bank. 

Custom order online or visit the showroom at 91 Centennial Circuit, Byron Bay NSW. Phone: 02 6685 6736 Email: sales@mctavish.com.au www.mctavish.com.au 


117

“Geoff McCoy Surfboards are 

like no other on the planet. 

Right across our range we 

create boards to surf above the 

water flow therefore offering 

a feel and a surfing experience 

like no other board you can buy. 

“Our designs are based on 

the idea of harmonising with 

the water flow of the wave by 

utilising area in plan shape, 

which combined with rocker 

modifications give continual 

flow through short or long arc 

surfing on the wave face for all 

surfing abilities. 

“Throughout our range you will 

find these characteristics hold 

true, so select a design suitable 

to your needs. 

Other McCoy designs 

available 

Big Pot Belly, Nose Rider, 

Stumpy, Pot Belly, Splinter and 

Big Guy Nugget 

Retro boards include the Twin 

Fin, Double Ender, Dream Time 

and Old F.D. 

There’s also a range of guns 

including Mini Gun, Semi Gun, 

Serious Guns and Tow boards. 

Most designs can be varied using 

different fin configurations 

including single, twin and three 

fins, but no quads. All multi-fin 

designs only have glassed on 

fibreglass fins, NO plastic at all. 

Now custom building a 

Geoff McCoy designed retro 

range in wood and fibreglass 

construction. “These are very 

special, as they represent my 

older concepts that, when 

combined with wood, are 

strikingly impressive.” 

For info, contact Geoff direct. 

McCOY SURFBOARDS 

10 Acacia Street Byron 

Bay, NSW 2481 

Ph: 02 6685 3227 

mccoysurfboards.com 

ASTRON ZOT 

Dimensions: From 

5’0”-7’1” x 21”-22” x 2¾”-3¼” 

Pictured board: 

5’6”x 21½”x 18”x 15½”x 3” 

Suits: surfers up to 100kg 

Description: Completely 

unique in all aspects. 

The plan shape is a 

beautifully balanced 

ellipse, which blends 

with the thickness 

balance, combining with 

perfect rocker curves, 

flowing into a loaded 

dome located under the 

back foot for maximum 

control. 

Softened bottom rail, 

with a 60-40 balance 

which runs right through 

the board into the tail 

area for greater holding 

qualities on hollow 

waves, eliminating the 

need to add extra fins. 

Fins: McCoy Gull Wing 

110% Original 


This is the smallest we 

make in the AZot range, 

extremely lively little 

performer, very reactive 

in a very wide range 

of wave conditions.As 

all nugget designs, it 

excels in hollow powerful 

waves. 

LAZOR ZAP 

Dimensions: From 5’-6’6” 


5’11” x 20 ¼” x 16 ½” x 3” 

Wide range available 


Description: Pulled 

nose of the original 

design allowed the 

board to elevate very 

quickly, due to reduced 

length of rail used when 

turning. This allowed for 

more manouvers to be 

performed while standing 

in a fixed position on the 

wide, thick supportive 

tail, which generates 

greater pressure and 

easier reaction. It was 

easier to paddle, had 

quicker reaction from 

the extra volume, less 

resistance in turns, and 

gave the ability to surf 

at a higherspeed. Best 

suited for quick, short arc, 

up-tempo surfing. 

Fins: Original Single Fin 

or with 3 fin setup. 


If you are looking for a 

great performing board 

that also represents the 

pinnacle of design in the 

Golden Era, have a look at 

the 2011 Lazor Zap. You 

could say that they are 

everything the modern 

shortboard should be. 

PHOTO: Neil Cameron at Mentawai. 6’ 1” All Round Nugget 3-fin 

ALL ROUND 

NUGGET 

Dimensions: From 6’0”-7’0” 


6’2” x 20” x 2 7 /8”x 17” tail 



Description: The design 

is a subtle blending of 

curves, incorporating the 

Loaded Dome bottom 

contours - a blend of 

curves throughout the 

bottom of the board. The 

contours assist the board 

to perform manoeuvres 

by taking the emphasis 

off the surfer having to 

control and guide the 

board, giving more time 

for the actual manoeuvre. 

Fins: The more you use 

the more stable and 

slower reacting the board 

becomes. I offer a range 

of fin styles with 1, 2 or 3 

fin combinations. 


Wider, thicker and shorter. 

With more volume and 

bouyancy than you’ve had 

before, it’s easy to paddle 

easy to control - with 

more speed than you’ve 

had in years. And when it 

starts to barrel... You’ll be 

laughing! 

THE MALIBU 

ALL ROUNDER 

Dimensions: From 9’0”-9’6” 


9’3” x 22½” x 15” x 18” 

x 3¼” 



Description: A classic 

design, not as full in the 

nose area as the Nose 

Rider. This allows the 

board to turn easier, 

producing better flow 

and glide. 

Fins: I use my Gull Wing 

designs as all my Malibu’s 

come in only single fin 

with a 10” box for fin 

movement and removal. 


For longboarders who 

like to surf loose and 

fast. Good turning and 

manoeuverability, easy 

paddling and stability. 

The great all round family 

board. 


GEAR: BOARDS 

FLY’N FISH 

Shaper: 

Bruno “The Buzz” Buzzolan 

Length: 5’0” to 8’0” 

Width: 18” to 22” 

Thickness: 2” to 3” 

Ideal conditions: ½ - 4ft. 

Suits: A fast, loose wave 

hog in all conditions and 

for all surfers. 

Description: Single to 

double concave with vee 

out the tail makes this 

very fast and responsive. 

Swallow tail. 

Construction: 

Polyster Resin and Burford 

PU Blank 

Fins: FCS Tris, Quad or 5 

fin setup 


Our most popular model. 

A hybrid to complement 

your standard short board. 

Still proudly 

made by people, 

not machines 

DUMPLING 

Shaper: 


Length: 5’4” to 6’0” 

Width: 19” to 20” 

Thickness: 2’¼” to 2 ¾” 

Ideal conditions: ½ - 4ft. 

Ability level: 

Beginner to Pro 

Description: 3-4 inches 

shorter and ¾ inch wider 

than the norm. Round or 

round square tail. Deep 

single to double concave 

with exit tail vee 

Construction: 


PU Blank 

Fins: FCS Tris, Quad or 5 

plug setup 


This model shines in 

substandard surf. 

HYBRID 

Shaper: 

Robert “Gypo” Fenech 

Dimensions: 

6’2” x 20 ¾” x 2 5 /8” 

Description: A midrange 

combination 

of resistance and 

release, combined 

with displacement and 

hydrodynamics to provide 

you with a futuristic 

surfboard. Fuller outline 

and increased volume 

with a balanced domed 

hull shape. 

Construction: Burford 

blanks, 4oz bottom, 6oz 

top plus 4oz tail patch on 

deck, pro sand finish 

Fins: FCS or set fins 


The modern high 

performance pro 

surfboard has been 

designed around a rail 

to rail pump action, to 

assist pro surfers to 

rip low energy surf, 

impress judges and their 

sponsors. It’s mini-gun 

outline and low volume 

work well in big surf, ride 

tight in the power and 

easy to duck dive. Hybrid 

is a performance option 

and is worth a try – you 

will be impressed. 

HYBRID 

Shaper: 

Robert “Gypo” Fenech 

Dimensions: 

7’ x 22” x 3” 

Description: All rounder 

up to 6 ft big guy board. 

Superior performance 

to mini-mal or big fish. 

Volume and area for 

support, soft curves and 

hydrodynamics to harness 

the wave’s energy 


blanks, PSM high quality 

glassing and finish 

Fins: FCS or set fins 


A downsized version 

of the McCoy energy 

theory, the brain-child 

and life’s work of Geoff 

McCoy. I am currently 

learning the finer details 

from Geoff and have put 

together a Hybrid series 

from what I understand. 

If you have trouble with 

the bulk and mass of a 

real McCoy, Hybrid will 

help you understand that 

a wider, thicker board 

with a balanced dome 

hull performs and feels 

fantastic. 


ELECTRIFYING 

HOT TUNA FISH 

Shaper: 


Artwork: Alonzo Punker 

Dimensions: 

5’9” X 19 ½” X 2 3 /8” 


Beginner to Pro 

Description: With 

a rounded square or 

swallow tail, this board 

features a deep single 

into double concave with 

exit vee. 

Construction: 


PU Blank 

Fins: FCS. Available 

with 5 sets of fins plugs 

to further enhance the 

board’s versatility. 


Snappy high speed 

performance in this small 

wave specialist. 

Celebrating 

4 

years 

TOWN & COUNTRY SURFBOARDS 

10 Acacia Street, Byron Bay NSW Phone: 02 6685 7485 Email: prosurfdesigns@tcsurf.com.au www.tcsurf.com.au 

119

(mention 

smorgasboarder 

to get a free 

leggie worth 

$45 with a 

new Ron Wade 

board order) 

THE BULL 

THE ROSIE 

D’ORSO HIGHLINER 

MOD LOG 

PERFORMER 

V-FLEX 

Shaper: Ron Wade 

Specs: 9’1” x 22 ½” x 2 7 /8” 

Ideal conditions: Classic 

noserider which performs 

well between 1-6ft. 

Description: Lower rocker 

to enable less push, a trim 

section to enable maximum 

speed through to a slight tail 

lift incorporating a subtle 

“V” for manoeuvrability. 

Construction: The 

board illustrated is made 

of PU foam, includes a 

single plywood stringer, 2 

layers of 6oz fibreglass 

on the deck and 1 on the 

bottom. Hand shaped 9” 

fibreglass fin + fin box 

with side fins, polished 

finish with colour. 

Fins: Fibreglass Centre 

fin with side fins included 


If you’re thinking of 

updating to a new 

longboard it would be 

my pleasure to be able 

to answer your questions 

and guide you to make 

the correct decision. 

Shaper: Thomas Bexon 

Dimensions: 

9’4” x 22 3 /8” x 2 ½” 

Ideal conditions: 

Waist high plus 


Intermediate to advanced, 

with a sense of trim. 

Description: a down the 

line trim machine, built 

for going fast, smooth 

carving surfing on a 

drawn out rail line. 

Construction: ¼ inch 

cedar stringer, 8 ounce 

bottom double 8 ounce 

deck, gloss and polish. 

Fins: Single, Greenoughstyle 

flex fin 


Call me. 

Shaper: Jesse Watson 

Dimensions: 

9’6” x 23” x 3” 

Ideal conditions: Up to 

head high sliders 

Suits: Hepcats to kooks, 

kicks, flicks and hanging heels. 

Description: A modern 

pig/involvement style 

sled, but with modernised 

rockers and foils for the 

logger who wants to 

noseglide and whipturn 

like it aint no thang. 

Construction: 6/4oz deck 

+ 6/4oz bottom gloss and 

polish, full wrap paint 

panels and an old skool 

glass leash loop - a nice 

mix of the old and new. 

Fins: Matching custom 

glass on Stage IV The 

Hook template fin 


A modern sled for the 

discerning kook. Traditional 

in looks - but a real hotrod 

under your feet. Long rides 

on the grill and crazy fast 

cutbacks. My number 1 log. 

Shaper: Mark Plater or 

Matt Crisp 

Dimensions: 

9’1” x 22 ½” x 2 ¾” 

Ideal: For the plank 

sessions. 

Suits: Fun peelers ‘n 

reelers down the local. 

Description: The San 

Juan turqouise mal 

Performer really performs. 

Get up on the nose or just 

chill and enjoy! 

Construction: PU foam, 

strong glass job and primo 

paint ‘n polish. 

Fins: Fin box and FCS 

set up. 


Horny yet? 

Shaper: Peter White 

Typical: 9’5” x 22 ¾” x 3” 

Conditions: Head high or 

below. Ideally point breaks 

but surprisingly versatile on 

a more mellow beachies. 

Suits: The soul-kats 

among you - those wishing 

to emulate Russell Hughes, 

Bobby Brown, Midget and 

Kev-The-Head. 

Description: Features 

mid-60s elements: a softer, 

pinched rail, single fin with 

rolled bottom and gentle 

vee through tail. Atypical 

stringer configuration - 2” 

apart in tail, tapering to 

their apex 2’ short of nose. 

This creates added 

stiffness in tail to give 

solid pivot and lift in the 

tip for smooth trim, but 

with forward weight shift, 

nose flexes down for more 

planing area and speed, 

and straightens rail for 

enhanced hold. 

Construction: PU Foam, 

6mm vee stringer. 7.5oz and 

8oz on deck with an 8oz 

deck patch, 8oz bottom. 

Fins: Fixed 10” hatchet / 

pivot fin. 

Shaper comment: The 

V-Flex spins the traditional 

on its head. 

RON WADE SURF 

DESIGNS AUSTRALIA 

Mona Vale showroom, 

open 9-4pm Sat or call me. 

Ph: 02 9979 7071 

Mob: 0410 443 776 


ronwadesurfboards.com.au 

THOMAS SURFBOARDS 

PO Box 234 

Maroochydore Qld 4558 

Ph: 0412 131 491 

thomas_bexon@hotmail.com 

thomassurfboards.com 

black apache surfboards 

BLACK APACHE 

SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0410 419 791 

blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au 

blackapachesurfboards.com.au 

MADDOG SURF CENTRE 

Ph: 02 6685 6022 


Byron Bay 2481 


CLASSIC MALIBU 

Cnr Gibson & Eumundi Rd 

Noosaville, QLD 4566 

Ph: 07 5474 3122 

info@classicmalibu.com 

www.classicmalibu.com 


GEAR: BOARDS 

SHAPER’S PROMOTION 

PROLOGUE X 

PERFORMER 

MICK CARABINE 

SIGNATURE MODEL 

TRADITIONAL 

LONGBOARD 

GODZILLA 

Shaper: Scott Newman 

Specs: 9’1’’x 22 ¼’’ x 2 ½’’ 

Waves: Thrives on steep 

shoulder high waves. 

Suits: The more 

experienced longboarder. 

Description: Super high 

performance longboard, 

single concave under nose 

into rolled V through tail. 

Flatter deck and nose rocker 

but still kick in tail rocker. 

Narrow nose, rounded pin 

tail with low rails. 

Construction: South 

Coast Mega Lite blank 

with 6ply stringer, 6+4oz 

deck, 4oz bottom,carbon 

strips,carbon tail patches. 

Fins: 5 way, quad with box 

Shaper comment: A 

rocket ship - our most high 

performance longboard. 

With its lightweight 

foam/glassing and the 

carbon strip placement 

creates strength through 

the middle but gives flex in 

the tail for whippier, faster 

turns and more flex in the 

nose for noseriding. 

Shaper: Mark Riley 

Length:9’0’’ - 9’4’’ 

Width: 22 1/4’’ - 23’ 

Thickness: 2 1/2’’ - 3’’’ 

Ideal conditions: ½ - 5 ft 

Ability: Intermediate 

Description: Recycled 

EPS foam core and 

2-3mm balsawood skin, 

weighing only 7-8 kg. 

Features triple stringer, 

30mm apart, a Vee 

bottom with a rounded 

square tail. The rails are 

70/30 on the nose, 80/20 

in the centre and 90/10 in 

the tail. 

Construction: Balsa with 

EPS foam core 

Fins: Single box fin and 

two smaller stabiliser fins. 

Shaper comment: The 

Performer combines 

the best of both worlds, 

designed and shaped for 

today’s high performance 

longboarding. 

Riley surfboards are 

made in Australia, have 

a 12-month warranty 

and are Micro-tagged 

to prevent theft. Custom 

orders are welcome. 

Shaper: Terry Bishop 

(Snake) 

Dimensions: 

9’6’ x 22 ½” x 3” 


Up to head-high, long, 

rolling point breaks. 

Suits: Traditional surfer or 

collector 

Description: Traditional 

longboard shape, 

profiled off an original 

60’s template. Features 

50/50 rail and not a lot 

of rocker. The board has 

Mick Carabine’s signature 

under the glass. Mick’s 

semi-retired now, so 

there won’t be too many 

more of these made. 

Construction: PU foam 

and polyester resin, Volan 

glass, done by Mick 

Carabine himself. Option of 

single or triple stringer. 

Fins: Glass-in or fin box, 

Hatchet or D fins are best. 


Snake doesn’t say much. 

Shaper: Peter Sheely 

Specs: 9’8” x 23 ½” x 3 ¼ ” 

Ideal: Point breaks 

Suits: Everyone who 

wants to get into a 

traditional longboard 

Description: Traditional 

longboard with the 

features of the 60’s, with 

roll bottom, 50/50 rails, 

hippy tail, and excellent 

nose riding qualities. 

Construction: Choice 

of stringers, one, two 

or three, foam inserts, 

colours, tints, pigment, 

or sprays. Volane 8 or 10 

ozs or 6ozs normal glass - 

you choose! 

Fins: 10 ½” to 12” single 

fin, set in or fin box. Also 

a D-Fin set in the board or 

in the fin box. 


Traditional 60’s style 

board developed with 

today’s technology. 

Shaper: Ron Wade 

Specs: 9’1” x 22 ½” x 2 7 /8” 

Ideal conditions: High 

performance longboard 

designed for 3 -10 ft. 

Description: Originally 

designed for team member 

Tim Hutton,who wanted a 

fast longboard which turned 

smoothly and that he could 

slash in all conditions. 

Similar rocker to “The Bull” 

except for a dual concave 

for more power. 

Comment: Call and 

discuss a board design to 

suit your surfing. 

Tim Hutton 

scores a perfect 

10 barrel! 

SLS SURFBOARDS 

2/57 George St, 

Moffat Beach, QLD 4551 

Ph: Scott 0424 314 183 

Luke 0401 350 992 

slssurfboards.com.au 

RILEY SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0412 376 464 

E: mark@riley.com.au 

balsasurfboardsriley.com.au 

CARABINE SURFBOARDS 

36 Finders Street 

Wollongong, NSW 

Ph/Fax: 02 4229 9462 

carabinesurfboards.com.au 

PETER SHEELY 

SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 02 4957 3161 

Mob: 0417 264 739 

peter@sheelysurfboards.com 

sheelysurfboards.com 

RON WADE SURF 

DESIGNS AUSTRALIA 

Mona Vale showroom, 

open 9-4pm Sat or call me. 

Ph: 02 9979 7071 

Mob: 0410 443 776 




121

THE BIG BOY 

Shaper: Tony Dempsey: 

one of the last handshapers! 

Dimensions: 

6’10” x 21” x 2 ¾” 

Ideal: 1-5ft points 

and small beachies 

Suits: Big guys who don’t 

want to hop on a mini mal 

and lose the performance 

of a short board. 

Ability: Beginner to 

advanced. Being custommade, 

Tony will tailor 

volume to suit ability. 

Description: First 

designed in the early 90’s 

when big guys only had 

mini mals to surf on.Tony 

introduced this design to 

free up and let bigger boys 

enjoy their surfing without 

those restrictions. 


Fins: Quads plus 1 

Shaper comment: They 

said it couldn’t be done - a 

big guy’s board to give 

shortboard performance. 

Bullsh*t! On one of these 

you will be smilin’ while 

you’re stylin’. 

NEW AGE SINGLE FIN 

Shaper: Brett Munro 

Specs: 7’0” x 21” x 2 ½” 

Ideal: Small to overhead, 

clean beach or reef/point 

breaks. 

Description: 

Single concave theory, a 

new age single fin. 


foam, quality lamination 

and finishing with carbon 

fibre rods. 

Fins: Handmade retro box 

glass fin with tip flex 


Classic single fin soul 

with long point waves 

in mind. Explore the 

potential. 

RETRO REVIVAL 

Shaper: Ben Hearn 

Dimensions: 

6’0”x 20 ½” x 2 5 /8” 

Ideal conditions: 1 - 4ft. 

Ability level: for all to ride 

Description: Nice, flat 

rocker and full nose 

for easy paddling, flat 

bottom to slight v for 

increased speed through 

flat sections. Double flyer 

through to round tail, as 

a twin fin for a great mix 

of looseness, response 

and drive. Great fun with 

suprising performance in 

all conditions. 

Construction: Hand shaped, 

Polyester construction 

standard glassing, Protec 

or full gloss and buff. 

Fins: Handmade glass 

twin fins. Single fin box or 

quad FCS. 


A must for any surfer’s 

quiver. Ultimate motivation 

for those not so good days. 

Old school inspiration with 

a new school twist. 

. 

SINGLE FIN 

Shaper: Paul Carson 

Dimensions: 

6’9” x 20 ½” x 2 ¾” 

Ideal for: Anything. 

Really at home on points. 

Suits: Anyone 

Description: Single flyer 

swallowtail with a full 

length concave to double 

concave to vee in tail. 


blank with resin colours 

top and bottom 

Fins: Handmade set 

single and semi-keel side 

fins in plugs. 


A great single fin with the 

advantage of a thruster 

feel when the side fins 

are in. Flyer allows extra 

width at side fins. 

Give me one 

good resin... 

WINKI WALL BREAKER 

Shaper: Duncan Eadie 

Dimensions: 

6’ 7” x 19 ½” x 2 ½ “ 

Ideal: Very versatile and 

can be used in smaller 

surf but best suited to long 

point break up to 6’ plus. 

Description: Single fin 

with bonzer side fins, 

single into double concave 

through tail. Hybrid design 

which gives you the drive 

and speed of a single fin 

but still maneuverable. 

Construction: Glassed 

like surfboards used to be 

and finished in gloss resin. 

It will probably outlast you. 

Fins: Either timber fins for 

more spring out of turns or 

fiberglass. 

Shaper comment: This is 

a fantastic all round board 

which works well in just 

about everything. Paddles 

like the wind. Drives like 

a Porsche. Loves long 

wall sections. Designed 

for Winki Pop but I have 

surfed it everywhere and 

it’s a pleasure to have it 

as my quiver killer. 

UNDERGROUND SURF 

3/31 McLean St, 

Coolangatta, QLD 4225 


kirra@undergroundsurf.com.au 

undergroundsurf.com.au 

MUNRO HANDCRAFTED 

SURFBOARDS 

2/29 Acacia Street 

Byron Bay NSW 2481 

Ph: 02 6685 6211 

info@munrosurfboards.com.au 

munrosurfboards.com.au 

SKIPP SURFBOARDS 

FACTORY SHOWROOM 

24 Flinders St 

North Wollongong, NSW 

Ph: 02 4228 8878 

CITY SURF CENTRE 

231 Crown Street 

Wollongong City, NSW 

Ph: 02 4229 1202 

E: factory@skippsurfboards.com.au 

skippsurfboards.com.au 

THE FACTORY 

SURFBOARDS 

CALOUNDRA 

17 Allen Street 

Caloundra QLD 4551 


paul@thefactorysurfboards.com.au 

thefactorysurfboards.com.au 

SOUTHERN SOUL 

SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0417 340 357 

southernsoul@netspace.net.au 

southernsoulsurfboards.com.au 


GEAR: BOARDS 


THE BAD BOY 

BIG BOYS SHORTBOARD 

DRAFT 

8’ LONGBOARD 

ALLROUNDER 

Shaper: Doug Rogers 

Dimensions: 

8’1” x 21 ½” x 3” 

Ideal: Solid waves, 4-6ft 


Novice to Intermediate 

Description: This board 

is a big guy’s dream. It has 

a heap of float and paddle 

power. It features a single 

into double concave for 

geting in early on those 

nice, big, solid days. 

Construction: PU core 

6oz bottom, 10oz deck. 

Fins: Thruster 

Shaper comment: Doug 

Rogers loves shaping 

these performance 

chargers. Handshaped 

with love and perfection, 

the clean lines refined 

edges are a must for the 

love of surfing real waves. 


Specs: 7’4” x 21 ½” x 2 ½” 



breaks. 

Description: 

Single to double concave. 




fibre rods. 

Fins: Tri-fin ceramic 

Speeedfins 


Delivers speed and 

security for the senior 

warrior who will not pull 

back on the bigger days. 

The groms will hate you. 

Shaper: Leighton Clark 

Specs: 7’6”x 21 ¾”x 2 ¾” 

Ideal conditions: Great 

board to get out at your 

local...and rips on small 

average surf 

Suits: All family 

members... girl friend... 

summer fun... beginners... 

lazy bastards... 

Construction: Made 

from premium materials. 

Burford PU foam, Silmar 

resins, Aerialite glass, .... 

also available in XPS, EPS, 

and epoxy laminates. Our 

glassing guy, Mick, is one 

of the most experienced 

in the industry [clocking 

over 25,000 boards over 40 

years. We can do custom 

artwork or digital graphics. 

Fins: Shapers fins and 

plugs. 

Sprays: No problemo 

customs, Pics, flowers, 

digital graphics, anything.. 


WE LISTEN, WE TALK 

and WE CREATE a 

board to suit your 

requirements. Customs 

are our speciality. Love 

to hear about what you 

are riding, and what you 

want to ride. 

Shaper: Mark Rabbidge 

Dimensions: 

8’ x 21” x 2 ¾” 

Suits: Custom tailored to 

suit the individual 

Description: Double 

ender well balanced 

board. Trim concave 

through middle, roll vee 

through the tail. 

Construction: Dion foam 

blanks. I’ve been dealing 

with them for 45 years 

and for good reason. 

Fins: 3 fin set up. 

Shaper comment: I 

have been making this 

board since the 80’s. It’s 

like a shortboard you can 

noseride. 

Shaper: Geoff Barden 

Dimensions: 10’ 

Ideal conditions: Any size 

Ability level: Beginner to 

advanced 

Suits: Anyone who wants 

to have fun 

Description: An easy, 

stable board to stand on. 

Surf or flat water, this 

board does it. A perfect 

all-round board for 

someone who’s getting 

into the sport and also, 

with its performance 

characteristics, it will 

noseride ‘til the cows 

come home or step back 

and milk that puppy all 

the way to the beach 

with all the moves you 

can do. 

Construction: Hand 

shaped and glassed in 

epoxy resin with tint. 

Leash plug, vent and box 

handle for easy carrying. 

Fins: 10” centre box with 

side plugs 


I ride this board 90% of 

the time in all conditions, it 

just works. 

ZAK SURFBOARDS 

307 Victoria Road 

Thornbury VIC 3071 

Ph: 03 9416 7384 

Mobile: 0438 416 738 

zak@zaksurfboards.com 

zaksurfboards.com 


SURFBOARDS 



Ph: 02 6685 6211 



CLARK SURFBOARDS 

20 Cottage Road, 

Hackham SA 

E: leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au 

M: 0422 443 789 

Available at 

www.onboardsurf.com.au 

RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN 

Ph: 02 4456 4038 

Mobile: 0427 767 176 

Bendalong, NSW 2539 

www.markrabbidge.com 

PADDLE TRIBE 

Geoff: 0408 701 467 

Steve: 0421 994 649 

E: info@paddletribe.com.au 

www.paddletribe.com.au 


123

Catch the 

Grown wood 

workshop at 

the Byron Bay 

Surf Festival in 

October! 

STOMPA 

THE FLYER 

HIGH PERFORMANCE FISH 

SPEED DIALLER 

THE MONSTER 

Shaper: Mark Rabbidge 

Dimensions: 

6’ x 20” x 2 ½” 

(ride this board at 

2” shorter than your 

shortboard) 

Suits: Custom tailored to 

suit the individual 

Description: Single to 

double to double concave. 

Construction: Dion foam 

blanks. I’ve been dealing 

with them for 45 years 

and for good reason. 

Fins: Thruster set up. 


More performance than a 

funboard, but still catches 

waves great and skates 

the fat sections easily. 

Shaper: Steve Barber 

Dimensions: 

6’4” x 19 ¾” x 2 3 /8“ 


Excellent everyday board 

Suits: Anyone 

Description: Flattish entry 

for easy paddling, single 

into double concave with 

tail vee on larger versions. 

Double flyers in planshape 

give greater tail width 

for drive thru turns in any 

conditions with better hold 

in larger waves as a bonus. 

Construction: Polyurethane 

Fins: Thruster or Quad. 

(Quad is best as 4 channel) 


This is a rare all round 

board design. Great in 

ordinary surf through 

to pumping South 

Straddie or Snapper. 

Fast, manoeuverable, 

easy to surf, yet highperformance 

as well and 

forgiving when you’re 

having a bad day! 

Shaper: Woody 

Dimensions: 

5’9”x 19 ¼” x 2 5 /8” 

Ideal conditions: 1-5 foot 

Suits: Intermediate to 

advanced surfers 

Description: Slight 

rolled vee to deeper vee 

between the fins, with a 

clean sleek outline and 

shallow swallowtail. 


polyurethane blank, Silmar 

resin, Surf 9 fiberglass. 4oz 

bottom, 4 oz x 4 oz deck 

Fins: FCS PC5 

Shaper comment: This 

is my favourite fish to ride 

at my local beachie or out 

on the point breaks. Surfs 

tight in the pocket and 

super fast down the line. 

Shaper: Andrew Wells 

Specs: 6’2” x 20 ¼” x 2 3 /8” 

Ideal: Anything up to 6ft. 

Description: A round 

tail quad with a slightly 

wider outline, big single 

to double concave and 

spiral vee out through 

the tail. Plenty of drive 

and is fast and loose. 

Being hollow timber, the 

board has plenty of float 

and easily skips over 

any fat sections, while 

still maintaining speed 

and drive. The additional 

weight in a timber board 

gives them a nice smooth 

flow in the water. This 

board goes great in waves 

with a bit of juice. 

Construction: Hollow 

timber. Plantation-grown 

Paulownia, recycled cedar. 

Fins: Quad 

Shaper comment: A 

must-have in the quiver. 

Every Grown board is 

individually hand crafted 

from recycled and 

plantation grown timber, 

takes over 30 hrs to hand 

craft and is completely 

unique. They look great, 

surf great and will give 

you years of enjoyment. 

Shaper: Paul Woodbry 

Specs: 6’ x 20 ¼” x 2 3 /8” 

Ideal conditions: ½’ to 3’ 

onshore slop to good waves 

Suits: All levels 

Description: Extra area 

in the nose for good 

paddling, a single concave, 

squash tail with really 

hard edges for drive and 

awesome decal from 

surfboardgraphics.com. 


with polyester resin, 4oz 

bottom, 4oz deck with 

patch for strength. The full 

deck decal adds about 2oz 

of strength without any 

weight gain. A graphic like 

this one may even stop 

that grommie dropping in 

for a while as well. 

Fins: Thruster setup using 

FCS or Shapers fin systems. 

Shaper comment: Took 

a few boards to get this 

how I wanted it. Paddles 

amazing and is loose 

enough to control reverses 

on, but still can be power 

surfed. Makes surfing slop 

waves so much fun, it’s 

just ridiculous. 

Woody Surf Design 

boards exclusively 

available from: 

RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN 

Ph: 02 4456 4038 

Mobile: 0427 767 176 

Bendalong, NSW 2539 


STEVE BARBER/FULL FORCE 

18/48 Machinery Drive 

Tweed Heads South 


fullforcesurf@hotmail.com 

Join us on Facebook 

WOODY JACK 

SURFBOARDS AUSTRALIA 

Unit 7, 25 Leonard Parade, 

Currumbin QLD 

Ph: 0415 789 706 

E: wjboards@gmail.com 

www.woodyjack.com 

GROWN SURFBOARDS 

Lennox Head 

PO Box 801, Ballina NSW 2478 

Ph: 0407889049 

sales@grownsurfboards.com.au 

grownsurfboards.com.au 

SURFWARE AUSTRALIA 

2 Bulcock Street, 



surfwareaustralia.com 


GEAR: BOARDS 


CLOWNFISH 

Dimensions: 

6’2” x 20” x 3” 

Ideal: Manouverability, 

handling and speed in big 

or small surf. 

Ability level: From 

lightweight grommie to 

a ‘skeg head’ from the 

70’s who’s 6-pack is now 

‘hidden in the carton.’ 

Description: Like a 

vision from the 70’s this 

classic Fish has all the 

great shape & style 

of it’s ancestors but all 

the advantages of the 

modern, construction, 

design technology. 

Construction: Light weight 

core, strong, resilient 

bottom & deck and vacuum 

bag epoxy laminating 

technology. Certain aspects 

of this board are unique 

only to Illusions Noosa. 

Fins: Quad 

Shaper comment: You’ll 

be taken back in time then 

projected into the pocket 

of every wave you catch!! 

Prepare to be stoked! 

ILLUSIONS NOOSA 

2/2 Venture Dve, 

Noosaville, QLD 

28 Sunshine Beach Rd, 

Noosa Junction, QLD 

Mobile: 0488 686 206 

0458 801 973 

illusionsnoosa.com.au 

MOJO PIN 

Shaper: Simon Skerry 

Dimensions: 

5’6 - 6’4 

Suits: Steamer, Vest, 

Boardies. 

Description: 

Plush. So shiiinny 

Construction: 

Made for Ages! 

Fins: 2 x 8” dBL D fins. 

SKERRY SURF 

PO Box 354 

Lennox Head NSW 2478 

Ph: 0403 240 452 

theskerrysimon@hotmail.com 

skerrysurfboards.com 

DOUBLE FLYER FISH 

Shaper: Rory Oke 

Dimensions: 

6’7” x 21 ½” x 2 ¾“ 

Suits: The bigger/older 

guy who’s looking for 

performance 

Description: Full through 

the nose, narrowing to 

double flyers in the tail. 

This board has the width 

to support the bigger or 

older guy who still wants 

the looser performance of 

a shorter board. 

Construction: Ocean 

Foam blank, 4oz & 6oz 

glass. 

Fins: Speeedfins 

Fibreglass s115s - FCS 

compatible. 

Shaper comment: :) 

OKE SURFBOARDS 

1/1-7 Canterbury Rd, 

Braeside, VIC, 3195 

Ph: 03 9587 3553 

okesurfboards.com 

FLYING FISH 


Length: 5’5’’ - 6’2’’ 

Width: 19 ½’’ - 21 ½’’ 

Thickness: 2 ½” - 3’’ 


Ability level: Advanced 

to experienced 

Description: An EPS 

foam core performance 

fish which features 

stringerless flex and 

memory return. Can 

turn on a dime and drive 

when required. The 2 ½’’ 

thickness of the board 

under the chest area 

makes this board a great 

wave catcher. It’s flat 

from nose to centre with 

a double scoop concave 

at the swallow tail. 


EPS foam core 

Fins: Your choice of twin, 

keels or quad 

Customer’s comment: 

“Love this. It has become 

my favourite board” Tom, 

Southern NSW 


made in Australia, have 

a 12-month warranty 

and are Micro-tagged 

to prevent theft. Custom 

orders are welcome. 


Ph: 0412 376 464 



RETRO QUAD 


Specs: 5’10” x 20” x 2 ¼” 



breaks. 

Description: 

Single concave into vee 

then double concave. 




fibre rods. 

Fins: Futures quads. 


Full tucked edge with 

front foot pressure for big 

carving turns. Speed to 

burn, ride them short. 


SURFBOARDS 



Ph: 02 6685 6211 




125


GEAR: BOARDS 

THE HOT DOG 

THE FREAK 

POPSTER PRO 

PERFORMANCE SHORTY 

THE BIG EASY 

Shaper: Dean “Dino” Tziolis 

Dimensions: 5’4” - 6’ 

Suits: Anyone - Custom 

Description: Fun 

shortboard. Super quick, 

easy to get up and 

planing, yet responds 

positively to rider input. 

Wider planshape for 

small surf. Enough rocker 

for medium surf. Ride 

about 4” shorter than 

a standard shortboard. 

Original print Goodtime 

logos - it’s a piece of 

Australian surfing history. 

Construction: South 

Coast Foam. 2 x 4oz glass. 

Rails are lapped on the 

bottom edge in carbon 

Fins: AFC 


Goodtime prides itself 

on making quality 

surfboards and has done 

so since 1971. Whether 

it’s a classic shape, a 

performance thruster 

or a simple fish tail, no 

matter how many fins... 

its been here or its in 

here. Goodtime is what 

surfing is all about. Over 

thirty years later, we’re 

still having a good time 

surfing! 

GOODTIME SURFBOARDS 

29 Ipswich Rd, 

Woolloongabba QLD 4102 




Shaper: Zak Koniaris 

Dimensions: 

6’4” x 21” x 2 ¾” 

Ideal: Small to medium 

sized waves, 2-5ft. 


Beginners to Intermediate 

Description: Designed for 

paddle and performance. 

The single into double 

concave and a chine 

rail gives the board a 

super-fast, responsive feel 

for any person who has 

wave-count in mind. The 

spoon deck offers more 

foam, making the board 

more forgiving. Super 

easy, super fun, super fast 

- a must for the quiver. 

Construction: PU core 

4oz bottom, 10oz deck. 

Fins: 5 plug setup for 

ultimate choice 


This board has been our 

biggest seller by far. It 

offers intermediate surfers 

a fish with a lot more drive 

and versatility. 


307 Victoria Road 

Thornbury VIC 3071 

Ph: 03 9416 7384 

Mobile: 0438 416 738 

zak@zaksurfboards.com 

zaksurfboards.com 

Shaper: Ed Sinnott 

Specs: From 5’4 - 6’4” 

Get in touch for customs 


Anything up the 6’ 

Description: This is a 

combination of all my 

old single fin and twinfin 

templates combined with 

new school bottom curves 

and rails. The result is a 

sensational hybrid that 

flys. Flat entry, deep vortex 

concave, razor edges and 

wet and dry finish. 

Construction: Burford/ 

South Coast PU blanks, 

Silmar polyester resin, 

Colan and Surf Nine glass. 

This combination has 

stood the test of time. 

Fins: Quad or thruster 


A unique and amazing 

hybrid board that goes 

ballistic in anything. 

Developed by Josh Sleep, 

Jono Salfeild and the 

Afends boys in Byron Bay. 

They see it as a majestic 

alternative for all round 

surfing. Tried and tested, 

it’s proved them right. 

ESP SURFBOARDS 


Byron Bay, NSW 

Ph: 0404 059 321 


www.edsinnott.com.au 

Shaper: Chad Ryan 

Dimensions: 

6’1” x 18 3 /8” x 2 ¼” 

Ideal conditions: 2 - 6ft. 


Intermediate to advanced 

Description: The 

ultimate performance 

shorty. Single to double 

concave for a super fast 

and responsive stick for 

all conditions. Rounded 

pin for good hold, but 

you pick the tail for your 

performance. For all round 

ripping!! 

Construction: Hand 

shaped polyester 

construction, standard or 

team glassing 

Fins: Thruster, 3 fixed 

or FCS 


Hand shaping allows me 

to work closely with my 

clients, to shape them 

the perfect board to their 

preference. 


FACTORY SHOWROOM 

24 Flinders St 

North Wollongong, NSW 

Ph: 02 4228 8878 

CITY SURF CENTRE 

231 Crown Street 

Wollongong City, NSW 

Ph: 02 4229 1202 

E: factory@skippsurfboards.com.au 

skippsurfboards.com.au 

Shaper: Simon Jones 

Dimensions: 6’2” - 7’ 

Suits: Anyone - Custom 

Description: Semi 

roundhouse wing round 

tail with a vee through 

centre toward tail. 


blank, fully handshaped. 

6/6/6oz Bay Mills glass 

Silmar polyester resins. 

Fins: Thruster FCS set up 


Goodtime prides itself 

on making quality 

surfboards and has done 

so since 1971. Whether 

it’s a classic shape, a 

performance thruster or a 

simple fish tail, no matter 

how many fins... its been 

here or its in here. Over 

thirty years later, we’re 

still having a good time 

surfing! 

Rider comment: “After 

catching a couple of 

waves went to the back 

and found it was really 

maneuverable, very fun 

and you could walk up and 

down it as well” 

Tyler Wright 

GOODTIME SURFBOARDS 

29 Ipswich Rd, 

Woolloongabba QLD 4102 





BLANKS 

OLD EIGHTY ONE 

CARBON EPOXY PR0 

THE WILD ONE 

WHIPLASH 

MEGA LITE 


Specs: From 5’4 - 6’4” 



Anything up the 6’ 

Description: Similar to 

the Popster and Whiplash, 

but has the deepest 

concave and widest nose 

of the three. I combined 

my single fin and old 

twin fin templates to 

get the 13’’ nose looking 

good and put the wide 

point 2’’ forward. Loose 

off the front foot and is 

multidirectional. Deep 

concave drives through 

dead sections. 







Developed along with 

Jake Spooner, a former 

top ten professional surfer 

who I first started making 

boards for in the early 80s. 

Extremely fast and stable 

in bigger sections, it can be 

surfed vertically as well. 


Matt Crisp 

Dimensions: 

6’2” x 18 ¾” x 2 ¼” 

Ideal: For the guy that 

wants to take his surfing 

Hi-Fi 

Suits: You :) 

Description: This carbon 

strip shorty is drivey, 

fast responsive turning, 

lightweight. Great for 

boosting! 

Construction: Eps/Epoxy 

with carbon stringer 

Fins: Thruster or Quad FCS. 

Shaper comment: We 

don’t blow our own horn. 

The boards do the talking! 

Shaper: Lee Cheyne 

Dimensions: 

5’11” x 19 ¼” x 2 3 /8” 

Ideal conditions: Most 


Beginner to advanced 

Suits: Anyone 

Description: Custom 

made in Australia by me 

personally, for you and 

whoever wants one. 


foam, Surf 9 4oz glass and 

Silmar resin. 

Fins: FCS, Futures or Gas 


Support your local shapers 

and manufacturers! 

They have families and 

mortgages, and they pay 

taxes too. 


Specs: From 5’4 - 6’4” 



Anything up to 6’ 

Description: Developed 

by Josh Lewan from Byron 

Bay. To get it to feel like a 

skateboard on the waves 

with no catch points, we 

increased the outline and 

decreased the size of the 

surfboard. Similar to the 

Popster but has a lower 

rocker and wider tail with 

deeper double barrels. 

It should be ridden 2-4” 

smaller than a traditional 

short board but 1’’ wider 

and thicker. 






Shaper comment: Josh 

says it is the fastest thing 

he has ever ridden and it 

goes anywhere you want 

to go on the wave. 

Dimensions: 

6’4” x 21 7 /16” x 2 7 /8” 

Nose: 14 ¾” 

Tail: 16 ¾” 

Rocker: 5 ½” nose, 2 ½” tail 

Also in 3 1 /8” thick version 

Description: Hard Cell 

Technology foam blank 

with a standard T3 

stringer. This one is a 

Shortboard 6’4”(A) Thin - 

for boards that need more 

width in the nose and tail. 

Comment: Ideal for fish, 

dumpster diver, biscuit 

style of shapes. Our 

latest development in PU 

foam technology - super 

white formula which has 

become standard within 

our range. Delivers the 

best surfing performance 

of a light weight 

surfboard. Shapers here 

and abroad are using 

this new technology for 

their top surfers currently 

competing on the world 

tour with great results. 

Strong, light-weight 

performance available 

now for all shapers. 




Ph: 0404 059 321 




Ph: 02 6685 6022 




LEE CHEYNE DESIGNS 

19/48 Machinery Dr, 

Tweed Heads South 

NSW 2486 


lcdboards@gmail.com 

myspace.com/454626994 

tradewindsurf.com.au 




Ph: 0404 059 321 



SOUTH COAST FOAM 

& FIBREGLASS 


15 Greg Chappel Dve, 

Burleigh Gardens Estate, 

Andrews, QLD 4220 

sales@southcoastfoam.com.au 

southcoastfoam.com.au 


127

THE COOLUM 

Designer: Albie Curtis 

Dimensions: 

7’2” x 19 ¾”x 2 ¾” 

Ideal: It’s made for 

the local conditions, 

specifically Coolum 

where I grew up. 4-5ft 

barrely waves 

Ability: Intermediate 

surfers after a larger high 

performance shortboard. 

Description: Albie Curtis 

Signature Model. 

Construction: Vacuum 

bagged with a EPS core, 

bamboo stringer, 4oz deck 

and 4oz fibreglass bottom. 

Vent plug. Certain aspects 

of this board are unique 

only to Illusions Noosa. 

Fins: Three fin setup 


Paddles well, good 

flotation. Good rail 

to rail transition and 

turning power. Fantastic 

manouverability, handling 

& speed in small to 

medium sized surf. 






Mobile: 0488 686 206 

0458 801 973 


RETRO BAMBOO FISH 

Dimensions: 

6’10” x 22 ½” x 3 1 /8” 


Big and small surf. 

Ability level: Light 

weight grommie or ‘skeg 

head’ from the 70’s who’s 

6-pack is now ‘hidden in 

the carton.’ 

Description: Like a 

vision from the 70’s. All 

the style of it’s ancestors 

but all the advantages of 

the modern construction 

and design technology. 

Aspects of this board are 

unique to Illusions Noosa. 

Construction: Vacuum 

bagged and constructed 

of a D-XP3 core - a 100% 

recycled bamboo fibre blank 

with bamboo veneer and 4oz 

fibreglass top and bottom. 

Fins: Twin fins and Quad 


Designed in Australia, this 

is a great board for those 

who are after a retro fish 

shape for under $600. 






Mobile: 0488 686 206 

0458 801 973 


THE TRADITIONAL 

Shaper: Dave O’Reilly 

Specs: 6’4” x 17 ¼” x 1” 

Ideal: Small, clean waves 

for fun, bigger if you’re keen. 

Suits: Anyone who wants 

to be a better water man 

(or woman!) Open your 

mind to the possibilities. 

Ability: Beginner to 

advanced. The learning 

curve can require patience. 

Description: Thicker than 

standard ¾”, allowing for 

two deep concaves in the 

bottom for a board that 

holds and slides. Softer 

rail edges top and bottom 

for slip sliding and fast 

trimming. 

Construction: 100% 

Australian grown and 

milled Paulownia, sealed 

with raw linseed oil and 

gum turpentine. 

Fins: Fin-free and ready 

to slide. 

Shaper comment: Alaias 

are about speed and 

re-learning to surf. Catch a 

wave on one and you won’t 

wipe the smile off your 

face. Have fun trimming 

fast and join the finless 

revolution! A great board to 

have in your quiver. 

SURFING GREEN 

Coolum Beach, QLD 

Mobile: 0412 042 811 

surfinggreen.com.au 

STUB-E 

Shaper: Paul Armstrong 

Dimensions: Custom 

order to your requirements 

Ideal: Small to medium. 

Wave catching machine. 

Ability: Beginners to 

advanced 

Description: The classic 

stubbie hull look, with the 

performance of a modern 

short board. Domed nose 

into single concave to 

double barrel spiral V. 

S-deck rocker and a low to 

medium rail line, all giving 

this board nicer curves 

than Beyonce Knowles’ 

arse! Hand shaped and 

Handcrafted. 

Construction: From 

smelly, sticky, dusty shit. 

Fins: Available in 2+1, tri, 

quad or 5-fin combo. 


By giving the Stub-E a 

planning hull platform, it 

makes the board a much 

more user friendly and 

versatile all rounder. 

EXPRESS SURFBOARDS 

5/136 Taren Point Rd 

Taren Point NSW 

Mob: 0403 827 478 

expresssurfboards@gmail.com 

expresssurfboards.com.au 

THE STICK 


Length: 5’2’’ - 6’8’’ 

Width: 18 1/2’’-20’’ 

Thickness: 2 1/2’’ -3’’ 


Ability level: Advanced 

to experienced 

Description: A balsa 

skinned EPS foam core 

shortboard. No stringer 

and recycled EPS foam 

reduces weight, bringing 

the Stick to around 3kg. 

Features a Vee scoop in 

the tail to concave centre 

and concave nose, 80/20 

rails and a swallow tail. 


EPS foam core 

Fins: Thruster or quad 


For summer’s small to 

medium waves, the Riley 

Stick is also available as 

a quad - way faster than 

your standard thruster or 

even twin fin and much 

more responsive. 


environmentally friendly 

and three times stronger 

than a regular PU board. 


Ph: 0412 376 464 




B Y R O N B A Y . A U S T R A L I A 

GEAR: BOARDS 


MICRO MAL 

THE dim-SIM 

MINI SIMMONS DELUXE 

4-FIN FISH 

FRESH FISH 


Matt Crisp 

Dimensions: 

5’10” x 20 ½ x 2 ½” 

Ideal: For those small fun 

days when you still want 

to get waves and leave 

the shorty at home. 

Suits: The crew looking 

for a great time in the 

tiny stuff. 

Description: The San 

Juan yellow micro mal 

is set up as a single fin 

to get your soul on, or 

thruster to burn down the 

walls! 

Construction: PU foam, 

strong glass job and a 

epic spray. 

Fins: Fin box and FCS 

set up. 


Horns? 

Shaper: Mark PridMORE 

Dimensions: 

Measure it yourself 

Ideal: Yep, it is. 

Suits: Dont like ‘em. 

They’re not comfortable and 

ya look like a penguin. 

Description: A super fun 

slab that’ll surprise the 

sh*t outta you... 

Construction: PU/PE - 

Doin’ some stringerless, 

puttin’ flex and 

even MORE life in ‘em... 

Fins: Most of the time 

(twin keel or quad) 

Shapers Comment: 

I could make myself any 

shape at all and this is 

what I ride 90% of the 

time, so I know these 

boards inside out. 

Shaper: Jesse Watson 

Dimensions: 

5’4” x 21 ½” x 2 ¾” 

Ideal conditions: Up to 

head high sliders 


Whatever you wanna try. 

I ride mine from the goldy 

to indo. 

Suits: Ricky-Bobby 

(Talledega Nights) “I just 

wanna go fast!” 

Description: Fast... so 

fast it’ll peel your eyes 

outta their sockets. Super 

wide and stable, this 

board has been dubbed 

the “section connection.” 

You’ll get the fastest, 

longest rides of your life 

on the Simmons. 

Construction: 6/4oz 

deck + 6oz bottom, full 

resin art stripes gloss and 

polish, glass on leash loop 

- proper old skool. 

Fins: Matching, 

custom tint glass-ons. 

Shaper comment: Are 

you feeling uninspired with 

your surfing, a little bored or 

dull? The Simmons will put 

the fun back into your life. 

Just in time for summer. 

Shaper: Dave Parkes 

Specs: 6’2 x 22 ½” x 2 5 /8” 

Ideal: 4-8ft good quality 

waves with hollow 

sections and walls. 

Description: This board 

evolved out of my smaller 

4-fin fish tail all rounder. 

Longer and narrower with 

a thinner, narrower tail. 

Fins are placed further 

back. Concave is lessened 

and vee comes into play. 

Construction: PU 

Surfblank with laminated 

stringer. 6oz glass. Gloss 

polish or pro-sand. 

Fins: definitely a 4-finner. 

Fin systems or glassed on. 

I‘m using Surfinz boxes and 

Powerbase fins on mine. 

Shaper comment: If I 

had to take only one board 

with me on an around 

the world trip this would 

be it. My shapes are not 

set in stone so custom 

variation is the way to 

go to suit different riders 

requirements. Just ask. 

Shaper: Neil Luke 

Specs: 5’10” x 24”x 2 3 /8” 

Ideal: Anything under 8ft 

Ability: Average to excellent 

Description: Quad with 

complex bottom contour. 

Bevels blend into deep nose 

concave into double concave 

under knees,flowing through 

to vee out the tail. Flowing, 

fast board that can grovel in 

junk, draw long lines or go 

straight up and down. Loves 

the barrell. 

Construction: Burford NLR 

KB blank. 4, 5 or 6oz glass. 

Gloss polish or pro-sand. 

Cosmic colour combos with 

pigments or tints, double 

pinlines or Skerry Art sprays. 

Fins: Future boxes with 

Rasta keels and Scimitar 

Pivot with a twist. 

Shaper comment: Shaping 

kneeboards since 1970, this 

represents a variety of many 

of my experiences. It’s my 

favourite which I ride 90% of 

the time. Great paddler, lots 

of fun and inspiring to surf. 


Ph: 02 6685 6022 




MORE SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0405 475 026 

www.moresurfboards.com 

Also available through 

Da Bomb Surf Centres in 

Maroochydore and Bokarina. 

www.dabombsurf.com.au 

black apache surfboards 

BLACK APACHE 

SURFBOARDS 

Ph: 0410 419 791 

blackapachesurfboards@live.com.au 

blackapachesurfboards.com.au 

C U S T O M K N E E B O A R D S 

PARKES AUSTRALIA 



Ph: 02 6685 6627 

E: d-par@bigpond.com 

parkesaustralia.com 

AT PARKES AUSTRALIA 



Ph: 02 6685 6627 

E: d-par@bigpond.com 

parkesaustralia.com 


129

THE HULL 

FLEXTAIL 

THE SAWN OFF 

MINI MAL 

Shaper: COLLINS/ 

PEDERSEN concepts... 

GCat and the Erle of 

Pederson. 

Description: 

This boat hull is a 

“scaled version” of an 80ft 

super cruzer. 

This little beauty has a 

similar design/ shape to 

the LAZOR ZAP which = 

massive planing area in 

the arse end. 

ERLE’S jet concept allows 

tension free speed & 

allows a cushion effect 

via a concave entry JET & 

then travels thru in to the 

detailed true JET combo & 

onto the arse end for the 

ultimate planing concept... 

(as do our functional art 

surfboards) 

Shaper: Jed Done 

Specs: 6’1”x 20 ¼” x 2 5 /8” 

Ideal: Shoulder high to 

double over head. 

Description: All round 

flextail quad, born from 11 

years of riding and refining 

flextails.Wedge stringer, 

wide point forward, deep 

concave underfoot, foil 

shape and negative rocker 

in flextail all lead towards 

speed and drive. 

The ‘v’ in the flextail 

gives the rail rocker a 

hip that lines up with 

the leading edge of the 

quad fins. Fins have a 

slight twist in the tip 

for a wider sweet spot, 

allowing the board 

to go from rail to rail 

easily. This all means a 

fast board that turns well. 

Construction: Dion PU 

foam. Single wedged 

stringer. Tinted glass 

bottom with resin pinline. 

Carbon fiber flextail . 

Fins: 4WFS for flexibility 


Works from 5’5” to 

7’. It goes best 2-3” 

shorter, ½” wider and ¼” 

thicker than your regular 

shortboard. 

Don’t be afraid of the 

dark, these things go like 

a cut snake!! 

Specs: 5’10” x 19” x 2¼” 

Ideal conditions: 0 - 4ft 

Description: A small wave 

board ridden a few inches 

smaller than your standard 

shortboard. Enough area 

through the nose for easy 

paddling and hold, width 

through the tail for loose 

top turns and a single to 

double concave in the tail. 

The best board for Sunshine 

Coast conditions. 

Construction: The finest 

materials, from A1 Every 

time blanks to world class 

high sheen UV finishes. 

Comment: Shotgun have a 

reputation for producing only 

the highest quality surf craft. 

OCEAN ADDICTS are 

now proud stockists of 

Shotgun Surfboards and 

Laguna Bay Longboards. 

We freight to anywhere 

in Australia, so have 

your new board 

delivered to your door! 

Trade in your old board 

for the best price. 

Shaper: Paul Carson 

Dimensions: 

6’8” x 21 ¾” x 2 ¾” 

Nose: 16 ½” 

Tail: 14 ¾” 

Ideal for: Anything. 

Suits: Tamara 

Description: Fun mini 

mal, round tail, but can be 

any shape tail. 


blank, colour spray 

Fins: Thruster, quad or 

single + 2. 


Did this one for Tamara, 

coming off 8’ mal. It has 

similar width and stability 

but performs more like a 

shortboard. 

Surfboards and surfing 

props for movies and ads 

SURF1770NOOSA.COM 

surf1770@bigpond.com 

surf1770noosa.com 

BUSHRAT SURFBOARDS 

Merimbula NSW 

Ph: 0409 813 431 

E: jed@bushrat.com 

www.bushrat.com 

OCEAN ADDICTS 

103-105 Aerodrome Rd 

Maroochydore 


E: info@oceanaddicts.com.au 

oceanaddicts.com.au 

THE FACTORY 

SURFBOARDS 

CALOUNDRA 

17 Allen Street 



paul@thefactorysurfboards.com.au 

thefactorysurfboards.com.au 


GEAR: BOARDS 


MINI BULLET 

Shaper: Wayne McKewen 

Specs: 5’7” x 18 ¾” x 2 ¼ ” 

From 5’7” to 6’0” with 

more volume. Short for 

maximum benefit. 

Ideal: Anywhere from 

small beachies to medium 

point or reef waves. 

Description: Launched in 

2009, we’ve made some 

exciting variations with the 

Mini Bullet this September. 

Stringerless to maximise 

flex - this has reduced 

weight and increased flex 

in length and width. Flatter 

rocker and most are vee 

bottoms. Round square, 

round or swallow tails with 

a single, double or no flyers. 

Construction: PU Burford 

blank, 4 x 4oz decks and 

4oz bottom. Can do 6 x 4oz 

decks for heavier guys and 

parabolic carbon-kevlar rails. 

Fins: FCS, 5 Fin to use as 

thruster or quad. 


Added flex translates 

to a whippy feel and 

acceleration through 

turns. It’s the result of 

two years of research and 

development and is an 

exciting variation on our 

original Bullet concept. 

MINI BULLET 

Shaper: Wayne McKewen 

Specs: 5’9” x 19 x 2 3 /8” 

From 5’7” to 6’0” with 

more volume. Short for 

maximum benefit. 

Ideal: Anywhere from 

small beachies to medium 

point or reef waves. 

Description: Launched in 

2009, we’ve made some 

exciting variations with the 

Mini Bullet this September. 

Stringerless to maximise 

flex - this has reduced 

weight and increased flex 

in length and width. Flatter 

rocker and most are vee 

bottoms. Round square, 

round or swallow tails with 

a single, double or no flyers. 

Construction: PU Burford 

blank, 4 x 4oz decks and 

4oz bottom. Can do 6 x 4oz 

decks for heavier guys and 

parabolic carbon-kevlar rails. 

Fins: FCS, 5 Fin to use as 

thruster or quad. 


Added flex translates 

to a whippy feel and 

acceleration through 

turns. It’s the result of 

two years of research and 

development and is an 

exciting variation on our 

original Bullet concept. 

THE STRINGERLESS MINI BULLET: 

A NEW RELEASE FOR SEPTEMBER 

“The Bullet was launched in 2009. These were 

designed to be a bit shorter and a bit wider, semiconvential 

and mainly for smaller summer waves but 

still a good all rounder. Over the last two years we 

have done a lot of R&D by getting feedback from our 

team riders, factory and shop staff and customers. 

This resulted in some exciting variations oin the 

original concept.” 

The Mt Woodgee Team 

MT WOODGEE 

SURFBOARDS 

Stores at Coolangatta, 

Currumbin, Burleigh Heads 


www.mtwoodgee.com.au 

MT WOODGEE 

SURFBOARDS 

Stores at Coolangatta, 

Currumbin, Burleigh Heads 




131

GEAR: BLANKS 

drawing 

lank 

WORDS: BEN HORVATH 

Artists paint on a blank canvas, 

surfers dance across empty waves, 

shapers handcraft surfboards from 

humble pieces of foam. 

Surfers would not be able to carve 

unique individual tracks on waves 

without a board under foot. Similarly, 

craftsmen cannot create contemporary 

surfboards without a blank at hand. 

Each individual surfer’s journey quite 

literally begins in foam, and our whole 

trip starts with a blank. 

Surfboard blanks are basically pieces of foam that are designed, cut and 

handcrafted into specific shapes to suit individual wave riding needs. 

These pieces of shaped foam then become the centre or foam core of 

our “sticks”, after going through the final lamination stages of the board 

building process. 

Shapers look at a foam surfboard blank as the vital cog in the board 

crafting process. 

Legendary Gold Coast craftsmen Dick Van Straalen said, “It is imperative 

that a shaper chooses the right blank. Ideally, shapers are advised to 

source blanks similar in size and shape to the desired custom order. Too 

much cutting and sawing foam off a blank can severely weaken the foam 

and result in a stick with poor flex.” 

When I asked Dick what influences his decision when sourcing blanks, he 

rated consistency in foam and “The Plug” being the mould or shape of the 

blank as the most important factors. Dick said, “If you get the right plug it 

also minimises waste. I’ve been getting my blanks off Burford pretty much 

since day dot.” 

These days there is a smorgasboard (pun intended) of surfboard blanks 

to choose from, which in itself is a reflection of the healthy diversity in 

the marketplace. Blank lengths in 2011 range anywhere from 5’4" right 

through to 12’1". Widths are also available from 18"to 31". 

Another critical feature when shapers choose their surfboard blank is 

the density of the foam. A surfboard being shaped for a novice or Joe 

the Butcher would be created using a different foam density to a high 

performance contest board designed for Mick Fanning or a tow board for 

Mark Mathews to tackle Solander for that matter. 

The type of board or outline you desire also has a major effect on the 

required density of foam in the chosen blank as well. For example a long 

board requires a different foam density to a fish. 

Well-known shaper Darren Handley said, “Everything starts with 

the foam, the quality of foam is often overlooked in the surfboard 

manufacturing business. It really is critical. The foam sets the buoyancy, 

and also dictates the strength of your equipment. Strength, foam density, 


performance and shape-ability are the main contributing factors I 

weigh up when I go about selecting the best performance blank.” 

“I have tried and sourced foam from pretty much all corners of the 

globe, for a while we even had a go at blowing our own foam at 

BASE," Darren says. "Although our attempts weren’t as successful as 

we had hoped, I learnt a lot and it sure did increase my understanding 

of blanks and their performance.” 

During our conversation I suggested that the general extent of the 

average surfer’s interest in blanks is pretty much limited to requesting 

that their shaper use the lightest and strongest blank available. 

Darren agreed with my sentiments, immediately citing Mick Fanning's 

insistence on South Coast Foam blanks for that very reason. Darren 

said, "At the moment I work closely with Core and South Coast Foam 

with my DHD shapes. I have been working with these two suppliers 

for quite a few years now, developing the highest quality foam with 

the greatest durability without sacrificing performance. 

While strength is paramount, not all shapers agree on weight as a 

primary decider of which blanks to use. Geoff McCoy, a pioneer of the 

surfboard manufacturing industry, in fact ranks weight as of much lower 

importance than a host of other factors. 

"Graham King Foam is the best," he insists. "The reason for that is the 

density of it, the way it shapes, the hardness... everything you want in 

a foam is there. There is so much more to it than just producing light 

blanks. You need strength, durability and ease of shaping. Experience 

counts and it shows." 

Bruno ‘The Buzz’ Buzzolan of Town & Country Surfboards, on the other 

hand, believes the Devil's in the details. 

"We have tried heaps of different blanks, but we have stuck with 

Burford’s because their quality is the most consistent. Not just the 

foam quality but simple things like the stringer being in the centre of 

the blank and using seasoned timber for the stringer." 

Graham King, a stalwart of the blank manufacturing industry and the 

man behind Graham King Foam, rates consistency and experience

as the key ingredients in blowing 

a blank. As Graham explains it, 

"Everyone wants to say their 

foam is the best, but on any given 

day someone is making a decent 

quality blank. The key however is 

consistency... Consistency that comes 

with experience. Experience counts. 

It's trial and error through the years. 

It really is an ongoing chemistry 

experiment. You have to stand there 

with your head in a bucket for years 

to understand how the foam is going 

to perform. No one can teach you 

this stuff. You get the experience by 

spending years in it." 

Different 

Blanks For 

Different 

Tanks. 

There are two main types of foam for 

blanks at present. They are - 

1. Polyurethane 

2. Polystyrene. 

Polyurethane 

Blanks (PU) 

Way back when surfboards began 

featuring foam centres, after the 

much-publicised short board revolution 

in the 60’s, polyurethane foam has 

been, and still is, where it’s at. In 2011 

PU blanks are still very much regarded 

as the traditional number one choice. 

All the manufacturers I consulted 

including the iconic Barry Bennett and 

Graham King, concur that PU blanks 

account for between 70 - 80% of 

Australian demand in the marketplace. 

Barry’s son Greg told us, “We have 

been manufacturing PU blanks at 

our Brookvale factory since the 60’s. 

Balsa, bamboo, moulded boards, 

hollow aluminium boards, and epoxy 

materials to name just a few variants, 

have come and gone, but we are still 

flourishing here today, and more than 

8 out of 10 shapers or board riders still 

request PU blanks.” 

Polyurethane foam blanks are used in 

conjunction with polyester resins to 

produce what is known in the industry 

as a polyester, or PU surfboard. 

On December 5, 2005 the massive 

Clark Foam factory in the US shut 

down suddenly. Clark was the major 

manufacturer of PU surfboard blanks 

in the US and for many other parts 

of the world. Many speculated that 

Clark, who maintained a monopoly 

on the industry in the US, bailed 

out because he was sick of The 

Environmental Protection Agency 

constantly questioning the safety and 

health of the production processes. 

Initially, there was a shortage of 

polyurethane surfboard foam blanks 

in the US, triggering short term panic. 

Some Australian blank manufacturers 

like Graham King were even flown 

over to set up factories across the 

Mexican border in Tijuana. However, 

within a few months new foam 

manufacturers scrambled to set 

up factories ensuring Californian 

production didn’t really miss a beat. 

The more things changed the more 

they stayed the same. Though the 

debate about potential alternative 

materials was reinvigorated 

internationally post Clark closure. 

Some sectors of the American 

surf media polarised opinion by 

acknowledging the contributions of 

Graham King pours foam 

into the blank mould. 

Photo: Veage 


133

Cut blanks, ready for glue-up with 

stringer at South Coast Foam 

GEAR: BLANKS 

Surftech and their offshore production technique – a hightech 

adaptation of the sailboard industry’s epoxy-polystyrene 

composite construction, manufactured in Asia. 

There were ripple on effects in Australia, but not in the blank 

production stakes. It was business as usual in Aus in terms of 

the numbers game. Local PU blank manufacturing production 

wasn’t effected at all by the Clark closure. 

However, post Clark, new players offered innovative imported 

alternatives in the Australian marketplace, including Global 

Surf Industries and their high profile shaper’s models. 

Using the current carbon tax or ETS debate in Australia as an 

analogy. The fear of change is inevitable in some, however, 

ultimately change and the establishment of a market mechanism 

results in healthy competition and innovation. Investment in 

enviro friendly sustainable renewables will flourish. The market 

will dictate the price. 

In the context of the surfboard materials debate, Styrofoam 

or indeed other alternatives may or may not prove to be a 

sustainable eco- friendly and/or performance enhancing option. 

In the end the market place will ultimately decide as per the ETS. 

Nev Hyman is a shaper that has always been at the forefront of 

scientific innovation. Nev believes there are not too many major 

exponential performance benefits to be gained from changes 

in shape. Nev said, “The basic design dynamics of today’s 

high performance surfboard have been refined to such a high 

standard that only incremental improvements can be made.” 

There are countless others in the industry who also believe 

further forward advancements in performance have to come 

from new materials and methods of construction, which in 

turn will allow for further changes in shape, and thereby push 

performance boundaries forward. 

Firewire team rider Taj Burrows enjoys controlled flex that 

supposedly does not fatigue over time, and he gets to go free 

surfing and tune up for competition on the same boards. But the 

fact is most WCT surfers still ride PU boards that are so light, 

they have a small amount of flex anyway. Nev points out that 

flex comes at the price of durability. Many lightweight PU Pro 

boards have to be saved for heats and 

that flows down to average Joe’s. I know 

I save my favourite light PU boards for 

the best days, and I’m closer to average 

Joe than being Joe Pro. 

Nev doesn’t claim Firewires are 

indestructible, but he points out that in 

the PU versus FW technology debate, 

the enhanced performance of controlled, 

sustainable flex, with the correct rate 

of rebound, built into a lightweight 

and durable FW surfboard cannot be 

overestimated. 

At the other end of the spectrum custom 

craftsman Dick Van Straalen shares 

some of Nev’s sentiments in a sense, 

but for entirely different reasons, mainly 

environmental. Dick said, “The only way 

we can change surfing from what it is 

today, is to change the materials. We are 

dictated to by the materials we use. The 

resins many still use in Australia today 

are nearly outlawed in many countries 

of the world. Epoxy is the friendliest resin 

out there. Urethane is gas. Urethane 

foam is basically a bunch of gas bubbles 

stuck together, as soon as you cut into the 

urethane you are releasing cyanide gas.” 

Conversely, Steve Barber from Full 

Force Surfboards, disagrees with claims 

that EPS foam is a safer option when 

compared to PU blanks. Steve said, 

“A lot of comments are made about 

the polyester resins shapers use with 

PU blanks and how their high styrene 

content is really poisonous. Yet what 

these people fail to mention is EPS foam 

is actually extruded poly-STYRENE! 

The main ingredient is styrene, the 

same stuff in polyester resins. When 

polyurethane foam is correctly mixed, 

the gas in the bubbles is carbon dioxide. 

There are no isocyanates in PU blanks if 

mixed correctly. As for epoxy resins, yes 

the resins used are relatively non-toxic 

but they won’t go off without Part B, the 

hardener, which is extremely toxic. 

Polystyrene Blanks 

There are two types of polystyrene 

blanks, those made of expanded 

polystyrene foam and those made of 

extruded polystyrene foam. 

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE 

SURFBOARD BLANKS 

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam is also 

known as beaded foam and features an 

open cell core. Surfboard foam blanks 

made of expanded polystyrene foam very 

briefly, became the major replacement 

surfboard blanks over polyurethane 

immediately after the closure of Clark 

Foam in the US, but within month’s 

new PU manufacturers popped up 

everywhere. 

EPS foam blanks are one of the two 

types of surfboard foams that are used 

as the core for epoxy surfboards. 

A very important difference between a 

polyurethane and polystyrene blank is 

that traditional polyester resins cannot 

be used with a polystyrene blank during 

the shaping process. This would cause 


EPS Foam Pellets. Photo: Stephen Woolverton 

the polystyrene foam to dissolve. 

A disadvantage of shaping a 

surfboard with EPS foam blank is 

that this type of foam can absorb 

water very quickly, and is not 

totally resistant to compression 

and other damage. 

However, generally that isn’t 

that much of an issue, as the 

epoxy resin used to cover that 

type of surfboard foam offers a 

great deal of protection due to its 

hardness. 

EPS foam blanks when they 

first hit the marketplace were a 

slightly cheaper alternative, but 

these days PU manufacturers 

like King or South Coast Foam 

produce a standard “6 3” for 

between $65 to $70. Most large 

PU blank manufacturers like 

King, South Coast Foam, Core 

and Bennett etc also offer refined 

machine shaped blanks for 

around $100. 

Carl McCarthy at South Coast 

Foam said, “I wouldn’t deny EPS 

blanks offer some potential new 

developments, but it is kind of a 

fashion thing.” 

EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE 

SURFBOARD BLANKS 

Extruded polystyrene foam is the 

other type of polystyrene foam 

epoxy blanks are made of. 

The major advantage of this type 

of polystyrene surfboard blank is 

that it has a closed cell structure. 

This makes is totally water 

repellent. So if you do damage 

that extra hard epoxy surfboard 

covering there is absolutely no 

need to leave the water. 

In addition to that impressive 

fact, extruded polystyrene foam 

is exceptionally strong, and isn’t 

damaged as easily as EPS foam 

by compressions. 

Because extruded foam blanks 

are water resistant, surfboards 

shaped from these will maintain 

their nice white colour, and will 

not discolour over the years. 

Extruded foam surfboard blanks 

therefore generally result in a 

faster and higher performance 

epoxy surfboard. 

Where To Now? 

The final word fittingly or 

otherwise is reserved for a 

veteran of the industry. Greg 

Bennett believes none of the 

EPS or similar imports contribute 

anything to the longevity of the 

surfboard industry or the skill set 

of its workers in Aus. 

When quizzed on the 

environmental impact Greg said, 

“The reality is in 2011 we can’t 

be all innocent, naive and free 

like the famous scene featuring 

Baddy Treloar sanding a board 

outdoors in board shorts in 

Morning of the Earth any more. 

As per in any industry, you have to 

take the necessary precautions, 

and have strict industry standards 

in place. Yes it can be difficult to 

police, but the truth is there is 

no way to create a hazard free 

surfboard. The enviro benefits 

with epoxy are arguably quite 

minimal. My dad Barry is nearly 

80 years old and he has been in 

the game all his life, and he is still 

fighting fit.” 

Performance then price and 

sustainability I suspect will 

always be key when it comes to 

the future of surfboards, though 

that debate like most things in 

surfing is extremely subjective. 

Beauty they say is in the eye of 

the beholder. 


135


The original 1994 Powell ad for the 

Sidewalk Surfer, featuring Steve Caballero 

WHAT’S 

IN YOUR 

SHED? 

It’s amazing what little 

treasures lie undiscovered 

in the old garden shed 

or garage. On a recent 

visit to the home of 

smorgasboarder writer 

Gus Brown, he pulled out 

this absolute gem - an 

early 90’s Powell Sidewalk 

Surfer, complete with oldschool 

stickers and stories. 

A little rough on the roll 

thesedays, this board saw 

its share of downhill action 

in the streets of Noosa 

in its day and has all the 

damage to show for it. 

“We’d find a good spot 

and just go for it,” says 

Gus. “ I replaced the back 

wheels with smaller ones 

to try and make sliding 

easier... It didn’t really 

work, so we’d just wait for 

the uphill to slow down 

and breathe out again.” 

So, collector-wise, what’s 

it worth? Who cares... 

The awesomeness of 

not-quite-vintage gear is 

greater than money. 

WHAT’S IN YOUR SHED? 

Share the love, laughs and 

enjoy 15 minutes of fame. Send 

a photo and your own bit of 

personal history to: 

letters@smorgasboarder.com.au 

Main: Arbor rider Katarina Lyerly on the Cross Step 46” 

old-school cruiser Photo: Jeff Budro 

Right: The cork-deck Rally cruiser... Ecologically sound 

and pretty damn cool anyway. 

OLD’S COOL 

Sticking with the theme of old 

guys ripping it up, the friendly 

folks at the Boardstore on the 

Sunshine Coast reckon that 

parents are spending so much 

time at the skate park anyway, 

that they might as well 

re-kindle their former passion 

of skating. 

For a dad who surfs and 

skates, what better new toy 

than a cool retro-inspired 

skateboard by a classic surf 

label like Gordon & Smith? 

Check out the exciting new 

range of G&S boards that are 

sure to get dad off the couch 

and out there rolling with the 

best of them. 

ARBSOLUTE 

CORKER 

Arbor Skateboard’s September 

collection for Australia has some 

crackers in the range. Brand 

new models making their debut 

include the Rally (bottom) - a 

little cruiser featuring a very cool 

cork deck, Whiskey - the new 

street board, the swallowtail 

Mission and the insane 

looking downhill machine, 

the Vugenhausen. For more 

info check out the website at 

arborcollective.com/skate 


137


SKATE: IMAGES 

RIDER: KATE DANIEL 

PLACE: Byron Bay Carpark 

CRAFT: Early Bamboo Riser 

Photo by Flavio Biehl 


139

Skateboards... 

TEAM RIDER DOM McGEACHIE - PHOTOS BY CHARLIE HARDY PHOTOGRAPHY 

...for 

surfers! 

32” FLYING FISH TAIL SKATEBOARD 

The ultimate in self-propelling skateboards 

designed for surfers. For more info, call 0407 405 390 or visit 

www.smoothstar.com.au 


Check out video online!


WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN 

MULTI-TASKING MEANS NEVER BEING BORED 

We’re all about covering photographic talent. Regular readers will know we give a huge chunk of space in the magazine to showcase surf photographers at all levels of 

their career, to put their work and passion on display and more importantly, put a face to the often forgotten names of those people behind the lens. And every week, if 

not every day, we also get amazing contributions of photography by readers and hobbyists as well. A few editions back, 18-year old Jarrod Slatter sent us some of his 

surfing pics to check out. We loved his stuff, so when we found out a bit more - that he shoots downhill skating, and skates as well - we figured he deserved a proper 

intruduction. So here’s Jarrod - the Cairns-born, Buderim-based student, surfer, skater and snapper.... 

YOU SKATE, SURF AND TAKE PICS... 

WHAT’S THE BIGGER RUSH? 

That’s a hard one, taking on a hair pin 

or steep hill equals the rush of paddling 

into a big wave or making a deep barrel. 

Both give you that adrenaline rush that 

is hard to match with anything else 

that I’ve tried. But if I had to choose 

one, skating definitely gets my blood 

pumping a lot more... There’s nothing like 

chucking your board sideways at high 

speeds. 

WHAT’S YOUR GEAR SETUP? 

At the moment I use two cameras, both 

with different purposes, but my Pentax 

K10D with a 170-500mm Sigma lens 

and a 35-80mm Pentax lens is my main 

weapon. I also use a Fujifilm HS10 - it’s 

used mainly for its HD video. 

WHAT GOT YOU INTO 

PHOTOGRAPHY AND WHAT ARE 

YOUR INSPIRATIONS? 

I’ve always been in love with the ocean. 

When you see Mooloolaba on a big day 

you’ll usually find me out there body 

surfing it, I had a love for getting inside 

the barrel and just watching it. 

So in 2009 I bought myself a little 

waterproof camera and tried taking some 

photos in there, I ended up breaking six 

Olympus µTough camera’s in 2009, so I 

decided to upgrade to a DSLR, and from 

then on my love for it has been growing. 

Clark Little has inspired me ever since I 

started, but lately local guys like Matt 

O’Brien and Jack Dekort have been my 

inspiration. 

No slouch on the skatey 

either... Jarrod Slider. 

Photo: Casey Ripper 


141


WHAT’S YOUR GEAR SETUP 

BOARDWISE? FAVOURITE BOARD? 

At the moment I’m riding a custom deck 

from Skatement Speedboards, which 

has gotta be the best board I’ve ever 

ridden. It’s got Bear 852 trucks, 81A 

Retro Freeride wheels and Bones Swiss 

bearings. 

HOW DID YOU GET INTO SKATING? 

Mates really. We started out on little 

Z-Flex-type boards just cruising around, 

until I was bombing a hill, got the 

wobbles, came off and lost a fair bit of 

skin off my back. After that I bought an 

old longboard off a mate and yeah, I just 

started getting into it more from there. 

GIVE US A RUNDOWN ON A 

TYPICAL SKATE SESSION 

Nothing much to it really. You rock 

up with some mates, walk up the hill 

brushing any large debris off the road, 

put on your gear and skate. There’s 

always someone that hurts themselves, 

usually me (laughs)... So always have a 

first aid kit handy. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO 

YOU’VE TAKEN? 

Way too many. But there’s a surf one I 

took last year at Broken Head when it 

was firing and that’s been published in 

a few magazines and websites, that’s 

probably my most favourite photo. 

Actually you can find it in the 4th issue 

of Smorgasboarder. (The best place to 

see it, of course. Ed) 

YOU PLAY GUITAR TOO? SOME 

RECOMMENDED TUNES? 

Yeah, been playing for a fair while now. 

But definitely Jack Johnson, Donavon 

Frankenreiter, Angus & Julia Stone, Andy 

McKee, John Butler Trio, just to name a 

few. I could be here all day talking about 

music to you (laughs). 

FUTURE PLANS? WHERE CAN 

PEOPLE CHECK OUT YOUR STUFF? 

Well I’m a second year Structural 

Engineering student at the Sunshine 

Coast Uni so I plan on going through 

with that. As for my surfing, skating, 

photography and music, it’s all just 

for fun. Keeps me happy, it’s all the 

motivation I need to keep on doing it. 

You can find my shots at 

www.facebook.com/JSphotog, and also 

on my blog, JSphotog.tumblr.com. 



143

AUSTRALIAN DESIGN - * Lithium Battery Pack Optional 

FFICIAL FIIK TM 

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Shifty’s - Canberra 02 6262 9162 

NZ Stockist 

Amazon Surf Skate : 

Albany Mall, Auckland 09 414 4249 

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Backdoor Surf Snow Earth : 

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Stockist Enquiries - 1300 344 575 


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145

GEAR: SKATEBOARDS 

Check out 

youtube.com/earlyskate 

for a clip of Early’s 

Kate Daniel on the 

Bamboo Riser 

“THE HUKILAU” 

BY KAHUNA 

“LOCKED IN MINI“ 

BY EARLY 

“BAMBOO RISER” 

BY EARLY 

“TB PRO” 

BY EARLY 

Suits: Barefoot riding, 

smooth carving 

Specs: 57” x 10” x ¾” 

Deck: Hardwood... 

Vertically laminated 

maple and mahogany. 

Trucks: Veloz 180 

Bearings: Abec-7 

Wheels: Kahuna 70mm 

longboard wheels 

Description: The “Rolls 

Royce” of longboards, 

designed by Steve McBride. 

Handcrafted ¾” thick solid 

stringers, polished with 

marine grade polyurethane 

to enhance beauty and give 

a grip similar to a surfboard. 

No grip tape! Logo burned 

with branding iron custom 

forged at an Ohio cattle 

ranch. 

Comment: Hands down, 

my favorite longboard. A 

lot of love goes into each 

of these boards. We 

do almost all the work 

by hand and make sure 

each of these boards 

are flawless. We are 

extremely proud of these 

boards and are confident 

they won’t disappoint you. 

RRP: $199.00 

Suits: Surfers and 

snowboarders 

Dimensions: 26” x 8” 

Wheel Base: 14” 

Deck: Maple 

Wheels: 65mm 78a, prescrubbed 

“Gnarlys” 

Trucks: 110 old school 

“Funster Trucks” 


Description: The long 

awaited Locked In Mini 

has been designed and 

tested by the Early Team 

as a slalom old-school 

style board for an 

easy, kick around town 

alternative. 

Comment: This board 

has been tested in parks, 

drains and driveways with 

the front truck riding hard 

to the nose for super hard 

turns and a unique tail 

length for enough ‘pop’ 

when ollies are needed. 

RRP: $239.00 

Suits: Surfers and 

snowboarders 

Dimensions: 40.5” x 9.3” 

Wheel Base: 28.5” 

Deck: Maple and Bamboo 


- “Cruisys” 

Trucks: 180 Early Trucks 


Description: The 

Bamboo Riser has been 

designed and tested 

by the Early team as a 

super-cruisy style board 

with a mix of bamboo and 

maple to give unique flex 

response. 

Comment: This board is 

your perfect kick around 

town, mixed with a dance 

style beach cruise that 

will push you with a very 

smooth flex. 

RRP: $299.00 

Suits: Snowboarders, 

Speedboarders and surfers 


Wheel Base: 29.6” 

Deck: Maple 


- “Blueys” 

Trucks: 180 Early Trucks 


Description: The TB 

Pro Model has been 

designed by team rider 

Torborn Sunde as a short 

wheelbase top mount 

with ultra concaves and 

heavy foot lock for high 

speed racing and free ride 

sliding. 

Comment: Built for high 

speed performance, this 

Early Pro Model has been 

to the bone yard on both 

free-ride and racing styles. 

KAHUNA STREET SUP 

Ph: 0466 264 232 

kahuna@streetsup.com.au 

www.streetsup.com.au 

Check us out on Facebook 

EARLY SKATEBOARDS 

AUSTRALIA 

Buy online now, or RATTLE 

DOWN your local Surf or 

Skate shop. 


www.earlyskateboards.com 


AUSTRALIA 



Skate shop. 




AUSTRALIA 



Skate shop. 




With cork deck! 

“RALLY” 

BY ARBOR 

“MISSION GT” 

BY ARBOR 

“FLYING FISH” 

BY SMOOTHSTAR 

“BIG DADDY” 

BY FiiK ELECTRIC 

Suits: Barefoot Rippers 


Deck: 7 Ply Maple with a 

Cork top sheet 

Wheels: 65mm (78a) Arbor 

Bio-Urethane Street Series 

Trucks: 9’’ Gullwing 

Charger 


Description: BRAND 

NEW STREET SKATE! The 

cork surface is ideal for 

barefoot skating, but can 

weather any skate shoe 

abuse. Ideal for around 

town surf-inspired skating. 

Comment: A standout 

feature of this board is 

the CORK DECK. Cork is 

the original renewable 

material. It has been used 

as a valuable resource for 

thousands of years. Cork 

is a bark that is harvested 

every nine years off cork 

oak trees without harming 

the tree. Cork is an 

excellent natural insulator. 

It dampens road vibration, 

while providing grip for 

barefoot skating. 

Suits: Street Cruising 


Deck: 7 Ply Maple with 

grip tape 

Wheels: 65mm (78a) Arbor 

Bio-Urethane Street Series 

Trucks: 9’’ Gullwing 

Charger 


Description: Arbor’s new 

swallowtail - the Mission 

GT - with its extended, 

concave shape, kicked 

tail, and longer wheelbase 

is ideal for flat ground 

cruising, carving banks, 

mellow downhill runs, or 

any urban mission. 

Comment: The Mission 

GT is constructed with 

WOOD BY-PRODUCT. All 

wood by-product created 

during the production 

of our skateboards is 

reclaimed for use in other 

Arbor products or by 

outside companies. This 

allows Arbor to stretch 

an important resource, 

while helping to reduce 

the strain on landfills and 

forests. 

Suits: Surfers after 

dry-land training and fun. 

The Flying Fish is great for 

ramps and pools too. 

Dimensions: 

32” x 10 ¼” 

Deck: 9 Ply Deck 

Wheels: 35mm rubber 

Trucks: 9” Aluminium 

back with the unique 

FRONT SWIVEL truck 

allows for carving. 


Description: Short 

and loose, the Flying 

Fish really simulates the 

feelign of surfing with it’s 

perpetual motion carving, 

thanks to the unique truck 

system. 

Comment: Built for 

performance, this is very 

responsive, easy turning. 

Practise quick bottom 

turns and tail slides. 

Suits: Hell-men 

Dimensions: HUGE 

Deck: Canadian Maple 

Wheels: Mag Wheels 

with pneumatic tyres 

Trucks: Huge ones 

Power: Sealed lead 

acid battery pack with 

Wireless remote control. 

Description: With its 

super powerful 800 watt, 

36V motor, this setup 

will take you across dirt, 

gravel, grass and sand 

with ease. Also great 

on road. With its large 

wheels this will give you 

upwards of 12km travel 

and up to 40 minutes of 

hard skating and up to 50+ 

minutes of easy cruising. 

Comment: Great looking 

green skateboard at home 

in the bush or on the 

blacktop 

ARBOR SKATEBOARDS 

For local dealer information 

please contact us by email: 

info@futuresport.com.au, 

call 02 4365 1838 or visit 


ARBOR SKATEBOARDS 

For local dealer information 

please contact us by email: 

info@futuresport.com.au, 

call 02 4365 1838 or visit 


SMOOTHSTAR 

SKATEBOARDS 

Ph: 0407 405 390 

www.smoothstar.com.au 

FIIK SKATEBOARDS 

2/3366 Pacific Highway, 

Springwood QLD 


E: sales@fiikskateboards.com 

fiikskateboards.com 


147

PNG 

Lissenung Island Resort 

Kavieng - New Ireland 

Saturday to Saturday 

Clem’s Place 

Lavongai - New Hanover 




02 9222 8870 


TEST 

EVERYTHING 

THERE’S ALWAYS NEW GEAR TO TRY OUT AND NEW THINGS TO TRY 

WITH GEAR WE ALREADY KNOW. WE TEST BOARDS ON THE BEACH 

AND IN THE WATER AND CHECK OUT A MAGIC FORCEFIELD... 

WORDS: MARK CHAPMAN 

BIG DADDY GOES TO THE BEACH 

What do you do with an 800w 

electric skateboard with giant offroad 

tyres? Well, take it off-road 

of course! So down to the sand 

it was with two FiiK Big Daddy 

boards and the singularly bright 

idea of burning up the beach on 

these bad boys. 

We picked low-ish tide to make 

the most of the more compact 

sand, because, while the boards 

look like 4x4s, they’re driven 

forward by a single wheel 

connected to the motor, so they’re 

not going to get you over the 

soft sand. This would have been 

helpful considering they weigh in 

at 33kgs and we got our workout 

Guest test-pilot Marcus 

spraying some sand 

for the day lugging them over the 

dunes. But we’re tough. Really. 

We realised pretty quick that 

digging trenches and spraying 

sand was as much fun as cruising 

along the waterline... so we did it. 

When the novelty of building 

sandcastles with a skateboard 

wore off, we gave the boards a 

run along the water. Highlights 

included being really loose and 

able to slide the board out like a 

sidewinder. Scary bits included 

almost getting swamped by an 

incoming wave. The board stayed 

dry, fortunately. 

With a park just behind the dunes, 

it wasn’t too long before we 

dragged the boards back over and 

hit the lawn for some off-road 

action that didn’t involve draining 

saltwater from the battery pack. 

Chewing up and spitting out lawn, 

roads and concrete pathways, 

the Big Daddy shows it can 

pretty much handle most terrain 

with ease. Bumps? Gutters? No 

problems. The board is as much 

fun for tearing about as it is 

functional for nipping to the shops 

for some bread or the latest edition 

of smorgasboarder. Six stars out 

of five any day. 

Test-pilot Pete getting grass 

burns off the Big Daddy. 

Bogan beach burnouts... Yeehaw 




Smorgasboard_1/4pages_D01.indd 1 13/06/11 6:00 PM

THE YELLOW 

SUP-MARINE 

WORDS: DAVE SWAN 

must admit to being a bit of sceptic when I first saw 

the SUP 10. I mean, was a stand up paddleboard that 

resembled a kayak really going to take off? 

From the minute I brought it home for my weekend 

test run, I knew my initial perceptions were way off 

the mark. 

My three young kids were immediately clambering 

over each other to be the first to test it out. My 

youngest Sam won the coin toss and as such, off 

we went down to Currimundi Lake to take it for 

a paddle. Now Sam has been a little unsure and 

unsteady on his feet on all other SUPs we have 

tried to date but he took to the SUP 10 like a duck to 

water, pardon the pun (my son’s name is Sam Swan). 

You see the way the board is designed makes it 

super stable for the novice. It’s wide, has good 

flotation and a fixed keel so it doesn’t move around 

too much. It is perfectly suited to those looking to 

try stand up who are content to paddle around in the 

still waters of a nearby river, lake or dam whilst they 

build their confidence. 

As for any water mad family like mine, it is an 

essential addition to the quiver. It’s always special to 

spend fun times like this with your wife and kids and 

share your love of all things surf related. 

The SUP 10 has 

storage area for gear 

and carry handles for 

easy lugging. 

Rota-molded plastic 

makes the SUP-10 

extremely strong, 

durable and relatively 

lightweight. 

EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING 

Having only met Paul Carson late last year, I have 

quickly become a big fan of his commitment 

to quality craftsmanship. He’s a one-man 

band but when you see him work, he takes no 

shortcuts. Every aspect of crafting a surfboard is 

meticulously completed step by step. 

So when Paul handed me a new design of his to 

take for a test run, I was out the door and had put 

it in my car before he got a chance to talk about 

its design. 

Apart from being one of the sexiest boards I 

have seen (I love resin tints) it just had a really 

nice plan shape. A somewhat retro design with 

modern day refinements, it featured a single 

to double concave with a diamond tail and 

signature Paul Carson channel. The ride? Mellow. 

Perfect for the many beachies in my area and 

Moffat Beach point breaks, it was a relaxing ride. 

Its volume enabled you to get on waves easy and 

then she accelerated well. The rounded rails, 

allowed you to perform nice big arcing turns. 

I took her for a wave down at Currumbin before 

the wood board expo and had just as much fun. 

Each time I rode it, I found myself singing, “Easy 

like Sunday morning”, coincidentally on a Sunday 

morning. It’s a great shortboard cruiser providing 

the rider with a great way to spend a Sunday. 


149

CHASING 

THE TAIL 

BY DAVE SWAN 

On a recent visit down the 

Far South Coast of NSW I 

managed to convince Jed Done 

to lend me a couple of his 

finless boards. 

His factory houses countless 

surfboards, all testament to 

his continual experimentation 

with surfboard design. I 

applaud shapers like Jed and 

their willingness to push the 

boundaries of design. Their 

dedication to exploration is 

often the catalyst in unearthing 

startling surfboard innovations. 

Rumbling through Jed’s shed 

I found a 5’8” finless flextail 

(5’4” if you exclude the flextail) 

that spiked my interest. 

Since that day, I’ve struggled 

to surf any other board during 

my two-month loan of it. It 

just had a real nice feel to it. 

It surfed like a fish but with 

this nice little tail slide as you 

eased down the face. 

Once you righted the board 

you could set her up for a 

360° near the lip and keep 

surfing. It suited fuller waves 

with a bit of power to carry 

you out of each turn. When 

you planted your foot near the 

flextail it allowed the board to 

accelerate and hold. 

Definitely one of my favourite 

boards I’ve tested this year. 

Flipside view 

of the flex 

tail 

THE 

SHARK-ZAPPER 

BY DAVE SWAN 

I decided to test my Shark Shield in 

the perfect conditions – an overcast, 

rainy day, late afternoon, murky 

water and a million miles from South 

Australia. Hey, I am happy to test it 

on a couple of small fry Queensland 

bull sharks, not those bloody ‘whale 

with teeth’ South Australian numbers 

described by John Hinks in our ‘Fear 

Beneath’ shark story. 

SO HOW DID I FEEL? 

Well this question is probably best 

answered in three parts. 

Did I feel like a bit of a tool carrying 

my board down to the water with a 

shark shield device fitted? Yes. 

If I was all by myself surfing a remote 

break in WA I would feel cool. 

Heading out in Caloundra on a rainy 

afternoon? I found myself covering the 

device as I walked down the beach. 

It kind of goes against the grain of the 

macho surfer image, not that I have 

long blonde hair, a muscley tanned 

physique and a pro-styled board. I am 

bald and in my forties for goodness 

sake. None-the-less I was covering it 

up to shield my manhood. 

Did it make me feel confident enough 

to go for a midnight paddle? No. 

It may transmit an electronic field that 

messes with the shark’s electromagnetic 

sensors but it doesn’t stop 

the theme song of Jaws from playing 

in my head. 

But yes, it did make me feel more 

confident surfing in horrible conditions, 

late in the day…. in Queensland. 

WHAT ELSE? HOW ABOUT THE 

WEIGHT OF THE DEVICE? 

Negligible. I noticed it a little carrying 

my board down the beach, but once in 

the water, not at all. Sure, if I was a 

competitive surfer, I might notice the 

1/1000 million of a kg but I didn’t. It 

actually weighs under 355g and 69g in 

the water. 

DID IT GET IN THE WAY? 

I don’t usually surf with a tail pad and 

as such, I found it helped to position 

my feet. The actual device sits behind 

the tail pad. I didn’t find it got in the 

way at all. 

DID I FEEL IT IN THE WATER? 

The device actually creates tiny, little 

bubbles when it is in the water. That’s 

apparently the electronic field in 

action. When it’s on, there is a solid 

green light on the device. When the 

battery is low, it flashes red. 

I found myself constantly looking 

at the device to see whether it was 

active. It caused my mind to drift and 

consider how great it would be if the 

unit actually detected the presence 

of sharks. 

I thought to myself, “Imagine if it 

flashed orange the second a shark was 

a couple of metres away.” Then again, I 

thought, “If that were the case I would 

never get a chance to enjoy my surf. 

If it was going off every few seconds 

you would be thinking you were in the 

middle of a feeding frenzy. You could 

never enjoy your surf. What if the 

bubbles actually attracted the sharks 

before the electronic pulse scared 

them away?” All this was going 

through my head. 

The end result is that various scientific 

tests have proven the Shark Shield is 

effective. And I believe it is. I wouldn’t 

test it on a 15 ft charging Great White, 

but I don’t think anything would stop 

that anyway. 


Photo: Terry Goss 

HOW DO YOU 

TIE A QUICK TOURNIQUET? 

CLOSEOUT: FIRST AID 

I think we all crave a bit of danger. Perhaps our lives 

have become too safe and comfy; our senses dulled. 

We secretly yearn for risk and excitement.... Like a 

swim in a dark night in the open ocean. 

WORDS BY DR. PETE KIRKHAM 

TEST CASES 

It was disturbing and sad to 

hear, Peter Clarkson, the man 

who testified to the device’s 

effectiveness in warding off large 

predatory sharks, after a close 

encounter with a Great White in 

WA, was in fact attacked by two 

Great Whites in tandem at Coffin 

Bay in South Australia. He was 

wearing a Shark Shield. Whether or 

not the device was turned on was 

never determined. 

The question as to why in hell it 

wouldn’t be turned on puzzles me. 

In fairness, there are numerous other 

South Australian abalone divers on 

the shark shield website 

www.sharkshield.com all testifying 

to its effectiveness. 

Interestingly, the director of Shark 

Shield, Rob Hartley, states on 

their website, “Company policy is 

to recommend the use of Shark 

Shield against sharks only in their 

investigative mode if possible.” 

SO IS IT EFFECTIVE IN 

WARDING OFF PREDATORY 

SHARKS? 

The store from which I bought the 

device spoke of customers swearing 

as to its effectiveness. Many divers 

who work in the Maroochydore 

area assisting with the installation 

of pontoons and jetties had tired 

of constantly being bumped by bull 

sharks in the canals. The device 

stopped them doing so. Some 

trawler workers had also strapped 

several shark shields to their nets 

to stop sharks attacking their catch 

with much success. 

As for surfing, it is said the device 

is most effective when the board is 

stationary with the device dangling 

down beneath the board protecting 

the surfer from a surprise attack, 

which is fair enough. It is not as 

effective when the device is trailing 

behind because the 3-5m perimeter 

would near exclude the surfer who 

is paddling their board. 

From my recollection, this is when 

the majority of surfers are attacked, 

when they are paddling out the 

back, after a wave. 

CARE INSTRUCTIONS 

They say to always test your battery 

life. Check. 

Whilst stating the obvious, it’s a good 

point. Don’t waste your money and 

effort if you are not going to ensure 

the device is on. 

Don’t kink the line. You don’t 

want to damage it any shape or 

form because you don’t want it 

malfunctioning when you need it 

most. Fair point. 

Always wash the unit in fresh water. 

VERDICT 

It probably works but to be honest I 

didn’t really test it man vs. shark. 

I can say it is relatively lightweight, 

doesn’t get in the way and certainly 

makes me feel more confident in 

sketchy conditions. But would I put 

my body and board in the path of a 

big Great White? Not a chance on 

this earth. 

The thrill tinged with a quiet menace of the unknown in the blackness below. 

Nothing awakens our primeval soul more than facing nature’s edge. But 

while we relish the excitement in our brush with nature, we like to keep the 

danger measured. We’d personally prefer not to get bitten by a shark, even 

though we know it might happen the very next time we go out. 

Part of the genius behind the film Jaws was the ominous score by John 

Williams. The main “shark” theme is a simple alternating pattern of two 

notes E and F played on a tuba, yet it’s masterful. Williams described the 

theme as having the effect of grinding away at you, instinctual, relentless, 

unstoppable. And we’ve all done a rendition of it. Including in the sea and 

at night! And what are our chances of getting bitten? Well, higher than the 

raw statistics might suggest. 

The data would have it that our chance is lower that getting struck by 

lightning. But that is an average for everyone, including someone who’s 

never left Alice Springs. For a regular surfer the chances are proportionately 

much higher that getting struck by lightning. And what would it really be 

like, to experience a shark attack? Well apparently it is a uniquely horrific 

experience. 

When researching this article I found a fascinating but unnerving website 

called sharkattacksurvivors.com. Real shark attack survivors write about their 

experience in their own words and graphic photos are included. 

If you end up becoming a contributor to this website, well at least you’ve 

survived. Can I offer any useful tips to help you be able to tell your tale? Not 

especially but do try and get back to the beach fast and stem the bleeding by 

whatever means you can. People usually die by bleeding to death, so this is 

one situation where applying a tourniquet is justified. 

1. Get a towel and roll it lengthways (making it long and thin). Tie it once 

4cm above the wound. 

2. Then make the tourniquet as tight as possible by placing a stick on top of 

the first knot (lengthways to the limb) and tie another knot on top of the stick. 

3. Finally twist the stick round and the touniquet will get much tighter; the 

stick acts as a tourque. 

It’s much easier to do on your buddy’s bitten limb rather than your own! Just 

a quick trip to the hospital for a drip/blood transfusion, stitches, pain relief 

and antibiotics and then you can savour the euphoria of survival! 

Dr. Pete Kirkham is a general 

practitioner at Nambour 

Medical Centre. 

www.skinclearclinic.com.au 


151

Nose & Paddle Guards, 

Rail Tape & Leash Plugs 

History... 

A little bit of 

There are just some boards that get people excited at the very mention on 

their name. The Stinger seems to be one of them. Thousands of kilometres 

apart, André Marsaus of Underground Surf and Craig Baird of Surf World 

Torquay both sing the praises of the cheeky 1970’s design. 

Pro Teck Fins 

I’VE BEEN STUNG 

WORDS: ANDRÉ MARSAUS 

Travel Safe Repair Kts 

A high gloss red, stepped-bottom ‘75 Stinger has 

been on display in the shop for a couple of months 

now and has created a heap of interest since it 

came through the door. 

It was time I took this baby out for a burl. 

I paddled out in some solid surf at Kirra point, took 

the drop and made my first bottom turn... it took 

off! It’s highly maneuverable as far as single fins go 

and totally addictive. I’ve had one in the collection 

at home for years and I’m pulling it out, it’s time it 

got wet! 

Made famous by Ben Aipa during the 70’s, The 

Sting is said to be responsible for the hotdogging 

generation in Hawaii. Surfed by revolutionary 

shortboard surfers like Buttons Kaluhiokalani, Larry 

Bertleman, Mark Liddel, Dane Kealoha and Michael 

Ho, it was far ahead of its time. 

Ben shaped the ‘Stinger’, as it’s referred to by most 

people outside of Hawaii these days, with a short 

swallow tail, step bottom and stings (wings) a third 

of the way from the tail. 

While most other surfers were riding pintail guns 

Aipa was shaping boards and being inspired by a 

young Larry Bertleman surfing Diamond Head. Ben 

watched Larry with his long roundhouse cutbacks 

and low hand-dragging turns with his hand in the 

water and trying to hit whitewater. 

Aipa watched Larry’s turns and sensed something 

was missing. He went back to the shaping bay and 

drew up an outline of a swallow tail board. When 

he looked closer, he realised Larry needed more 

draw, so he straightened out the tail by placing a 

break in the rail line one inch in depth and a third of 

the way up from the swallow tail. So basically your 

feet go halfway between either side of this point. 

Aipa then thought about hydrofoil boats and after 

looking at 15 or so he came away with the cutaway 

concept. The combination resulted in a board Aipa 

christened the ‘Sting’ when he described Bertleman 

‘stinging’ the wave. 

The first the rest of the world saw of the new Stings 

was in ’72 at the world contest in San Diego. Michael 

Ho and Larry Bertleman started ripping on their little 

swallow tail Stings and winning all their heats. The next 

thing you know guys started rolling up with boards with 

swallows cut into them. Ho and Bertleman made the 

final and everyone was stoked with the new ‘Stings’. 

After this the new crew of Buttons, Liddel 

and Kealoha started surfing Aipa’s boards and 

dominating. Then the young Mark Richards met 

Aipa, they quickly hit it off, and MR started riding 

the Stings that helped him launch his era of 

competitive world dominance. Aipa’s Stings also 

influenced MR with his world renowned twin fins 

that he proceeded to win four world titles on. 

Ben Aipa has passed on his design wisdom to many 

shapers of note. Today he is one of the most stoked 

surfers in the world and has coached, shaped and 

influenced some of the greatest surfers on the 

planet. His tireless devotion to surfing has set new 

standards in competitive surfing and shaping and 

he has dominated the Masters division in Hawaii. 

After four decades of shaping and surfing Aipa is 

one of the true legends. 

So if you get the opportunity to ride a Stinger 

one day, take it out in some solid swell, picture 

Bertleman or Buttons in one of those old-school 

movies and let it take you for an epic ride. 

SURFTECH AUSTRALIA 

www.surftechaustralia.com.au 


02 4226 1322 

New surf shop, old-school feel 

3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta, QLD Ph: 07 5599 1040

MR wailing on the King Kong 

Stinger at the ‘77 Stubbies final 

Image © courtesy of Murray Purtell 

- SurfWorld Museum Collection 

THE FIRST 

DREAM BOARD 

WORDS: CRAIG BAIRD 

CLOSEOUT: HISTORY 

The ‘75 stinger that 

inspired the piece 

In 1977 I was 17 years old and frothing at the 

thought of getting my hands on my very own 

Sting. I had seen the little Aipa rocket ships that 

Bertlemann, Mark Liddell, Buttons and Mark 

Richards were riding in the magazines and I was 

desperate to get one. 

A neighbor of mine, Tony Macleod, built boards 

in a shed in his back yard pumping out advanced 

bits of gear like sub-6’ stinger fishes, so Tony’s 

boards just fed the fire. I ordered a Rod Brooks 

6’4” swallow tailed Sting with a step in the 

bottom and a spray job I designed myself. All I 

had to do then was wait. Tony shaped the board 

at Fred Pyke’s factory in Torquay. I dropped in 

there during the school holidays to check on 

progress only to discover that the board had 

somehow slipped off the stands and snapped 

off the tip of one swallow, so the wait went on 

while repairs were made. 

In my mind this board was going to be epic, 

and while waiting I began to do some sketches 

of how I thought the board would perform, 

visualizing the performance increases I was 

imagining. Of course when I finally got to ride 

the board I was primed. In truth it was my first 

dream board, a huge advance in performance 

over what I had ridden previously. 

The stepped bottom seemed to accelerate the 

board through turns with the sting providing a 

pivot point and that weird sensation of a board 

with a split personality. Up front it was soft and 

full and floaty, step back and the thing had bite, 

I loved it! 

It was such a great step forward although 

as the surf got overhead the Sting started to 

skate a bit through turns, a weird sensation but 

predictable and fun. I ran the board with the fin 

jammed all the way forward in the finbox which 

meant that if you pushed it really hard you could 

overpower it and it would spin out, but it was 

just so much fun to ride. 

The broken swallow of course kept snapping 

off and there were so many surfs where I left 

the water with my feet bleeding from being 

whacked on the swallows as I got to my feet, I 

still have a lattice work of fine scars on my feet 

from being bitten by the sting. 

I had a number of other Stingers, a Mike Davis 

board with multi phase bottom that had chine 

rails a huge concave under the front foot and a 

step running into vee at the tail, a Wave Crest 

Hawaii board and a pink pigment Aipa Sting 

that had chine rails and flat vee running the full 

length of the board. The Aipa was unbelievably 

loose and the Mike Davis was a thing of beauty, 

but nothing matched that neat little 6’4”. 

Tony encouraged me to shape my own Sting 

which was a disaster. I set up a tent in the back 

yard and attacked the foam with just about 

any tools I could find, none of them suitable for 

shaping surfboards. The board ended up with 

groovy hand drawn logos, ripped off from some 

Roger Dean artwork, but the stings were too far 

up from the tail (shaping rule No 1: Once you 

take the foam away you can’t put it back) and 

we jammed a 15 inch fin box in it. 

Tony glassed it in his shed using dark blue pigment 

to cover up the butchered blank and I ended up 

spraying a fading lightning bolt pattern around 

the rails on the bottom. It was not a handsome 

surfboard, but the good news was that it went 

better than it looked but I had already learnt a big 

lesson, I was no shaper. I was just left wishing that 

I had hung on to my first little dream board that 

6’4” Rod Brooks Sting. 

Brought to you by 

Underground Surf 

“...THAT WEIRD SENSATION OF A 

BOARD WITH A SPLIT PERSONALITY.” 

TOP: Blue lighting bolts forgive mistakes. 

LEFT: Craig shows off his handiwork. 

FAR LEFT: Inspirred planning 

RETRO LONGBOARDS & SHORTBOARDS • NEW & CUSTOM BOARDS • BOARD 

HIRE • REPAIRS• SKATEBOARDS • CLOTHING • AND MUCH MORE... 

WWW.UNDERGROUNDSURF.COM.AU 

jul/aug 2011 

153

CLOSEOUT: PEOPLE 

THE QUEEN BEE OF BIKINIS 

Last summer, we featured some of the cracking swimwear and surf-specific bikinis produced by Noosa label 

Hive Swimwear. With the warmer months here and people getting ready to shed the jumpers and hit the 

beach again, we decided to have a chat to the lady behind the label, Kat Hogg. 

Kat has an intricate knowledge of swimwear designed to stay on in the surf. While working as a surf 

instructor, it became obvious to her that women need swimwear that survives duck diving, being dumped 

and generally being active in the water. So in 2005, Kat founded Hive Swimwear...“Swimwear that Sticks”. 

MAIN: Kat Hogg is no slouch in the 

water herself and ABOVE: The face 

behind Hive Swimwear, Kat Hogg. 

WHAT MAKES HIVE SPECIAL? 

Well, it’s focused on function. Whilst 

we have many styles, we do have 

strap configurations which allow for a 

customised and secure fit for all sizes, 

so they stay on. We use the best lycra 

available to ensure optimal performance. 

Plus, Hive Swimwear is ultra comfy. 

Girls love it. We use the best 

manufacturing processes available, 

there are many components - good 

quality lycra, attention to cut, fully lined 

garments and a variety of styles. 

TELL US ABOUT THE PRINTS 

All of our prints are unique and 

exclusive. My inspiration follows 

the latest fashion trends in Europe 

and Brazil. We also meet the market 

demands and continue some basic 

black, blue and pink colour palettes 

which are always popular. 

SO, WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON? 

The 2011/12 collection has an ultra 

chlorine resistant range of swimwear 

which is available in ladies and girls 

sizes. Ultra chlorine resistant lycra 

is made up of 47% PBT and 53% 

polyester and is very durable. The fabric 

technology allows for better printing 

options. We love bright colours! 

In our surfing range, Hive has a new 

1.0mm neoprene performance short 

and 1.5mm rash shirt called the 

Ectotherm. Very exciting. This will 

extend the swimwear season. We 

also have a range including basic 

beachwear. 

YOU HAD A VIRAL YOUTUBE VID? 

We produce all our own videos and 

images. It’s lots of fun. The 2011 

Fashion TV shoot was filmed with a 

remote control copter and it seems that 

people loved it online. It showcased 

some of our beautiful Hive team riders 

and demonstrated the versatility of the 

collection. 

SO, WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE TO 

GET YOUR HANDS ON HIVE? 

We supply over 70 stores nationally 

with a mix of surf stores and swimwear 

specialists. The word of mouth is 

spreading quickly though. 

Stockist details are all online at 

www.hiveswimwearnew.com, 

where you can also watch the videos. 


YOU ARE TOIGHT LIKE A TOIGER? 

HOW TO USE FOAM ROLLING TO KEEP YOUR MUSCLES LOOSE AND INJURY FREE WORDS: CLAYTON BEATTY 

CLOSEOUT: FITNESS 

Tight, overactive muscles... We all have them 

somewhere in our body... Tight hamstrings, stiff 

shoulders, tight calf muscles, a stiff back. 

For me the issue has always been tight hip flexors. 

Playing too much sport always lead to my hip muscles 

getting stiff and sore and sometimes this has put me 

out of action with injury. Over the years I tried various 

physiotherapists and chiropractors with varying 

degrees of success, but who would have thought 

I could have saved all those consultations with a 

simple chunk of round foam? 

Enter the “Foam Roller.” When I first got shown one 

of these a few years ago I was sceptical to say the 

least. But after trying it out several times on my tight 

muscles I was hooked! Now anytime I feel my hips 

start to tighten up, I simply grab my foam roller and a 

few minutes later they are pain free and loose again! 

The technical term for foam rolling is Self-Myofascial 

Release (SMR). The idea is that you use the foam 

roller to massage your tight muscles by rolling on 

top of it. It’s basically like giving yourself a sports 

massage (but for a fraction of the cost). By rolling 

on the tight, overactive areas of your muscle, you 

decrease the density of the muscle, which helps it to 

loosen up. 

This is important for any surfer because tight muscles 

can restrict your surfing performance and even lead 

to extra time out of the water due to injury. We all 

know the benefit of having flexible muscles and 

mobile joints, however many of us don’t do enough to 

improve in this area. 

So if you want to fast-track the process and free up 

your stiff muscles in record time, grab yourself a foam 

roller (order online or purchase from your local fitness 

store) and have a go at some of the exercises. 

GUIDELINES FOR FOAM ROLLING 

• Foam rolling can be done before or 

after exercise/surfing 

• Foam rolling works great before 

stretching 

• Let your bodyweight push down on 

the roller and roll up and down the 

muscle 

• Focus on any trigger points (knots in 

the muscle) 

• Roll on each area for 30-60 seconds 

(or longer if you need) 

• Don’t roll over bones or joints 

• Don’t roll on recently injured areas 

3. CALVES 

3. GLUTES 

1. QUADS 

2. UPPER BACK 

3. IT BAND 

3. LATS 

TRAINING 

TIP 

TRY THESE ROLLS WHENEVER YOU FEEL MUSCLE STIFFNESS 

COMING ON. THE RESULTS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU 

Clayton Beatty is a qualified Exercise Scientist with a BSc Human Movement Degree from the University of WA and is a member of Exercise and Sports Science 

Australia (ESSA). He runs Total Surfing Fitness, created to help surfers improve their skills and reduce the risk of injury. 

We’re all keen to improve our surfing, so check out his website for surf-specific functional training exercises. Go to 

TotalSurfingFitness.com, and there’s even a free sample workout to get you started. 


155

SURF DIRECTORY 

Pick up the next edition of smorgasboarder at any of these fine businesses - out in November. 

Businesses that advertise in smorgasboarder allow us to bring you the magazine for FREE. So, be sure to support them! 

QLD CENTRAL COAST 

REEF 2 BEACH SURF SHOP 07 4974 9072 

Shop 1, 10 Round Hill Road Agnes 

Water/1770 www.reef2beachsurf.com 

SUNSHINE COAST 

NOOSA SURF WORKS 07 5474 4567 

1/11 Bartlett St, Noosaville www. 

shotgunsurf.com www.lagunabaysurf.com 

WATERLINE 07 5474 1010 - 2/15 Venture Dr, 

Noosaville, www.zeewetsuits.com 

ILLUSIONS NOOSA 0488 686 206 

2/2 Venture Dve, Noosaville & Shop 28 

Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction 

www.illusionsnoosa.com.au 

CLASSIC MALIBU AUSTRALIA 07 5474 3122 

Cnr Gibson and Eumundi Rds, Noosaville, 

www.classicmalibu.com 

ADVENTURE SPORTS NOOSA 07 5455 6677 

Shop 6A, 203 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville 

www.kitesurfaustralia.com.au 

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 07 5474 1222 

3 Gibson Rd, Noosaville 

GOLDEN BREED 07 5455 3722 - 15 Noosa Dr, 

Noosa Heads, www.goldenbreed.com.au 

NOOSA LONGBOARDS 07 5447 2828 

2/55 Hastings St, Noosa Heads 

www.noosalongboards.com 

SURF SHOP 07 5471 3489 - 224 David Low 

Way, Peregian Beach, www.surf-shop.org 

COOLUM SURF 07 5351 1742 - Birtwill St 

Coolum Beach www.alexsurfshop.com.au 

BLUE LINES 07 5351 1986 - 1776 The 

Esplanade, Coolum Beach 

WALLY’S WATER GALLERY 07 5448 8560 

6 Lorraine Beach, Marcoola Beach 

OLD WOMAN SURF SHOP 07 5448 7025 

15 Mudjimba Esp, Mudjimba 

WEIR’S INSIDE EDGE 07 5443 4143 

14 Memorial Ave, Maroochydore 

DA BOMB 07 5451 0620 - 3/25 Plaza Pde, 

Maroochydore & 07 5437 9201 - 7/12 

Thunderbird Dr, Bokarina 

www.dabombsurf.com.au 

OCEAN ADDICTS 07 5309 6624 - 

103-105 Aerodrome Rd, Maroochydore 

www.oceanaddicts.com.au 

ALTERNATIVE SURF 07 5475 4811 

11/140 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland 

BEACH BEAT 07 5443 2777 - 164 Alexandra 

Pde, Alexandra Headlands; 07 5491 8215 - 

4-6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach 

07 5491 4711 - 119 Bulcock St, Caloundra 

www.beachbeat.com.au 

ALEX SURF 07 5452 6276 

188 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland 

www.alexsurf.com.au 

WORLD SURFARIS 1800 611 163 

2/174 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba 

www.worldsurfaris.com 

SURF PLANET 07 5476 6200 Shop 5, 

Buderim Marketplace Buderim 

www.surfplanet.com.au 

THE FACTORY 07 5492 5838 - 15 Allen St, 

Caloundra thefactorysurf.com.au 

SLS SURFBOARDS 0424 314 183 

2/57 George St, Moffat Beach www. 

slssurfboards.com.au 

SURFWARE AUSTRALIA 07 5491 3620 

2 Bulcock St, Caloundra 

BRISBANE 

PRIMITIVE SURF 07 3266 1001 - 601 

Nudgee Rd, Nundah primitivesurf.com 

GOODTIME SURF & SAIL 07 3391 8588 

29 Ipswich Rd, Wooloongabba 


FIIK Unit 2/3366 Pacific Hwy, Springwood 

www.fiikskateboards.com 

COD 07 3207 0116 - 51 Ziegenfusz Rd, 

Thornlands www.codsurfing.com.au 

N TH STRADBROKE ISLAND 

MINTY SURFBOARDS 07 3409 8334 - Point 

Lookout www.bobmintysurfboards.com 

GOLD COAST 

SURF THE EARTH 07 5527 9855 - 33 Dominions Rd 

Ashmore www.surftheearth.com.au 

SURF FX 07 5531 3199 - 127 Ferry Road, 

Southport www.surf-fx.com 

SIDEWAYS 07 5592 3849 - 3012 Surfers Blvd, 

Surfers Paradise sidewaysboardsports.com.au 

STUART SURF DESIGN 07 5572 0098 

2576 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach 

www.stuartsurf.com.au 

GANGSTA SURF 07 5526 6969 - Shop 1/ 


www.gangstasurf.com 

BOARD CULTURE 07 5572 9866 


www.boardculture.com.au 

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE 07 5526 6377 

2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby Beach 

THE BOARDROOM 07 5527 7877 

2084 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami 

LOWEN 88 07 5526 5161 - 2a/2172 Gold 

Coast Hwy, Miami www.lowen88.com 

HARVEY SURF GALLERY 0414 557 624 

3/10 Pacific Ave, Miami www.harveysurf.com 

MT WOODGEE 07 5535 0288 

1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads 

07 5598 2188 - 2 Stewart Rd, Currumbin 

07 5536 5937 - 122 Griffith St, Coolangatta 


PATAGONIA BURLEIGH James Street, 

Burleigh Heads www.patagonia.com.au 

WORLD SURFERS 07 5535 4037 

63 Lower West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh 

SEAN SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY 07 5520 2774 

Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade, Shop 10, 

Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads 

07 5599 1150 - Shop 3, 120 Marine Pde, 

Coolangatta seanscottphotography.com.au 

DALE CHAPMAN SURF DESIGNS 07 5593 8411 

Unit 3/48 Junction Road, Burleigh Heads 

www.chapmansurfboards.com 

SOUTHCOAST FOAM 07 5522 1600 - 15 

Greg Chappell Dr, Burleigh Gdns Estate, 

Andrews www.southcoastfoam.com.au 

GOLD COAST SURF WORLD 07 5525 6380 

Tomewin Street, Currumbin 

www.surfworldgoldcoast.com 

FIREWIRE SURFBOARDS 07 5587 7700 

1/49 Currumbin Creek Rd Currumbin 

www.firewiresurfboards.com 

DMS 07 5559 5949 3/56 Currumbin Creek 

Rd Currumbin www.dmshapes.com 

D’ARCY HANDSHAPES 07 5559 5866 

1/8 Hawker St, Currumbin 

www.darcysurfboards.com 

SHAPERS 07 5534 4228 - 9/7 Traders Way, 

Currumbin www.shapers.com.au 

BURFORD REINFORCED PLASTICS 

07 5534 3777 - 5 Stewart Rd, Currumbin 

WOODY JACK SURFBOARDS 

0415 789 706 - 7/25 Leonard Pde, Currumbin 

DIVERSE SURF 07 5598 4848 - 476 Gold 

Coast Hwy Tugun www.diversesurf.com.au 

DORRINGTON SURFBOARDS 07 5599 4030 

16 Musgrave Street, Kirra 

www.dorringtonsurfboards.com 

KIRRA SURF/WORLD SURFARIS 07 5536 3922 

8 Creek St, Bilinga www.kirrasurf.com.au 

UNDERGROUND SURF 07 5599 1040 

Shop 3/31 McLean St, Coolangatta 

www.undergroundsurf.com.au 

COOLANGATTA BOARD STORE 07 5536 7850 

152 Griffith St, Coolangatta 

www.cbsboardstore.com 

COOLY SURF 07 5536 1470 - Cnr Dutton St 

& Marine Pde, Coolangatta 

NSW NORTH COAST 

PADDLE TRIBE 0408 701 467 - 12/55 Ourimbah 

Rd, Tweed Heads paddletribe.com.au 

SIDEWAYS 07 5524 6699 - 13-21 Greenway Dr, 

Tweed Heads sidewaysboardsports.com.au 

FULL FORCE SURFBOARDS 07 5524 2933 

18/48 Machinery Dve,Tweed Heads 

SURF XCESS 02 6674 5350 

88 Marine Parade, Kingscliff 

KINGY SURF 02 6674 8806 

20 Marine Parade, Kingscliffe 

CABARITA SURF SHOP 02 6676 3151 

1/38 Tweed Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach 

ELUSIV SURFBOARDS 

3/16 Coast Rd, Cabarita Beach 

BRUNSWICK SURF 02 6685 1283 

1/12 The Terrace, Brunswick Heads 

www.brunswicksurf.com.au 

McTAVISH 02 6680 8807 - 91 Centenial 

Circuit, Byron Bay www.mctavish.com.au 

ESP SURFBOARDS 0404 059 321 - 2/81 Centennial 

Circuit, Byron Bay www.espsurfshop.com.au 

PARKES AUSTRALIA 02 6685 6627 

4/83 Centennial Court, Byron Bay 


MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6022 

Ewingsdale Rd, Byron Bay maddog.com.au 

MC SURF DESIGNS 02 6685 8778 - 3 Banksia 

Drive, Byron Bay www.mcsurf.com.au 

MUNRO SURFBOARDS 02 6685 6211 - 29 Acacia 

St, Byron Bay munrosurfboards.com.au 

T&C SURF DESIGN / McCOY 02 6685 7485 

10 Acacia Street, Byron Bay 

BYRON BAY LONGBOARDS 02 6685 5244 

Shop 1 - 89 Jonson St, Byron Bay 

MADDOG BEACH SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6466 

4 Jonson St, Byron Bay www.maddog.com.au 

HO’OKUPU 02 6685 8861 - 2/9 Lawson St, 

Byron Bay hookupusurf.com 

UNPLUGGED 02 6685 7441 - Shop 1/ 2 Lawson 

St, Byron Bay www.unpluggedbyronbay.com 

ALL ABOVE BOARD 02 6687 7522 

68 Ballina St, Lennox Head 

MADDOG SURF CENTRE 02 6685 6094 

45 River St, Ballina www.maddog.com.au 

TRIPLE X WETSUITS 02 6686 3939 - 10 Piper 

Drive, Ballina www.triple-x.com.au 

GUNTHER ROHN 02 6681 5879 - 3/10 Piper 

Drive, Ballina www.guntherrohn.com 

THE PLANK SHOP 02 6645 8362 Top of the 

Hill, Yamba 

NSW MID NORTH COAST 

COOPERS SURF CENTRES 02 6654 0033 

56D Beach St, Woolgoolga; 02 6652 8146 

28 Orlando St, Coffs Harbour 

GANGSTA SURF 

1/15 Orlando Street, Coffs Harbour 

FLANAGAN SURFBOARDS 0432 361 694 

Unit 26, 22 Lawson Cres, Coffs Harbour 

www.flanagansurfboards.com 

WATER SURF+ART+CAFE 

Distinctively relaxed 

atmosphere, exceptional 

food, coffee and tea, great 

service, photographic 

art from Australia’s best 

photographers, exquisite 

gifts and select surfwear and 

boards. 

(02) 6651 4500 

370 Harbour Drive, Coffs 

Harbour Jetty 

www.watersurfartcafe.com 

THE LOG SHACK 02 6658 0223 - 392 Harbour 

Dve, The Jetty Strip, Coffs Harbour 

www.thelogshack.com.au 

OUTER ISLAND SURFBOARDS 02 6655 7007 

7 Bayldon Dr, Raleigh 

www.outerislandsurfboards.com 

VALLA SURFBOARDS 02 6568 8909 

8 Monro St, Nambucca Heads 

www.vallasurfboards.com.au 

COASTAL CURVES 02 6568 6902 - Ridge St, 

Nambucca Heads www.coastalcurves.com 

CRESCENT HEAD SURF CO. 02 6562 8306 

33 Smith St, Kempsey 

CRESCENT HEAD SURF SHOP 02 6566 0550 

Crescent Head Tavern, Crescent Head 

CRESO EXPRESSO 4 Shore Holiday Park, 

Crescent Head 

INNER VISION SURF ‘N’ SKATE 02 6583 7790 

80 William St, Port Macquarie 

SALTWATER WINE 02 6584 4877 

1/125 Gordon St, Port Macquarie 

www.saltwaterwine.com.au 

SANDY FEET 02 6584 1995 

5/21 Clarence St, Port Macquarie 

www.sandyfeetsurf.com.au 

JUNGLE SURF 02 6555 8556 - 86 Manning 

Street, Tuncurry www.junglesurf.com.au 

SALTWATER WINE 02 6554 7979 5 Wharf St, 

Forster www.saltwaterwine.com.au 

BOOMERANG BEACH SURF 02 6554 0351 

Shop 4, Boomerang Dve, Pacific Palms 

GRAFFITI SURF DESIGNS 02 4981 3409 

43 Donald St, Nelson Bay, Newcastle 

NEWCASTLE 

NEWCASTLE SURF DESIGNS 02 4968 9989 

4 Maitland Rd, Mayfield 

SAM EGAN SURFBOARDS 02 4969 7299 

28 Maitland Rd, Islington 

www.samegan.com.au 

SURF FACTORY 16 Maitland Rd, Islington 

www.thesurffactory.com.au 

MARK RICHARDS SURFSHOP 02 4961 3088 

755 Hunter St, Newcastle 

www.markrichardssurfboards.com 

SURFHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY 61 Hunter St, 

Newcastle surfhousephotography.com 

BREAKAWAY SURF 02 4929 1144 - Shop 6 

Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle 

PACIFIC DREAMS 02 4926 3355 - 7 Darby St, 

Newcastle www.pacificdreams.com.au 

SANBAH SURF 02 4962 2420 - Shop 27, The 

Junction Fair, Union St, Newcastle 

www.sanbah.com.au 

BREAKAWAY SURF CO. 02 4943 2699 

181 Pacific Hwy Charlestown 

EGAN’S 02 4945 8055 

575 Pacific Hwy, Belmont 

THE SURF SHACK 02 4945 8965 

703 Pacific Hwy, Belmont South 

SWANSEA SURF SHOP 02 4971 4422 

164 Pacific Hwy, Swansea swanseasurf.com.au 

CENTRAL COAST 

BEACHIN’ SURF 02 43 96 5159 

262 Main Rd, Toukley 

BOARD CITY 02 4397 1092 - 150 Main Rd, 

Toukley www.boardcity.com.au 

ADRIFT SURF 02 4332 8355 - 133 The Entrance 

Rd, The Entrance www.adriftsurf.com.au 

BOARDERLINE SURF SKATE 02 4332 7175 

421 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty 

www.boarderlinesurfskate.com 

SURFERS CHOICE 02 4334 6532 

473 The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty 

www.surferschoice.com.au 

BATEAU BAY SURF N SPORT 02 4332 1157 

101a Bateau Bay Road, Bateau Bay 

ONE EIGHTY SURF COMPANY 02 4385 8440 

Shop 2, 82a Ocean View Dve, Wamberal 

www.180surfco.com.au 

ALPINE BEACH 02 4367 4944 

177 The Entrance Road, Erina 

www.alpinebeach.com.au 

SLIMES 02 4365 5511 

1/203 The Entrance Rd, Erina 

THREE POINTS SURF 02 4382 1541 

170 Avoca Dve, Avoca Beach 

NORTHERN BEACHES 

BEACH WITHOUT SAND 02 9918 2763 

1a Nth Avalon Rd, Avalon 

RAISED BY WOLVES 02 9918 8861 - 40 Old 

Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon; 02 9997 4838 

9b Waratah St, Mona Vale 

www.raisedbywolves.com.au 

LITTLE DRAGON 0403 974 967 

1 Bramley Lane, Newport Beach 

RON WADE SURF DESIGN 02 9979 7071 

23 Bassett Street, Mona Vale 


CHANNEL ISLAND SURFBOARDS 02 9997 8266 

4/76 Darly St, Mona Vale cisurfboards.com 

QUIKSILVER MONA VALE 02 9999 3727 

1729 Pitt Water Rd, Mona Vale 

SUPER SWELL 02 9144 3229 

166 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives 

STAND UP PADDLE GEAR AUSTRALIA 

02 9986 3420 6/53 Myora Rd, Terrey Hills 

www.supgearaustralia.com 

SUGARMILL SURF EMPORIUM 02 9913 3332 

2/1329 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen 

www.sugarmillsurf.com 

BALMORAL BOARDS 02 9970 8600 

1228 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen 

www.balmoralboards.com.au 

WICKS SURF CENTRE 02 9971 0760 

1103 Pittwater Road, Collaroy Beach 

LONG REEF SURF 02 9982 4829 

1012 Pittwater Rd, Collaroy 

www.longreefsurf.com.au 

WIND SURF ’N’ SNOW 02 9971 0999 

17 Anzac Ave, Collaroy 

www.windsurfnsnow.com.au 

THE PERFECT WAVE 02 9939 0890 

Suite 38, 42-46 Wattle Rd Brookvale 

www.theperfectwave.com.au 

BENNETT SURFBOARDS 02 9905 5157 

180 Harbord Rd, Brookvale 

DRIPPING WET SURF CO. 02 9977 3549 

398 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale; 

02 9977 3549 - 93 North Steyne, Manly 

www.dripwetsurf.com 

SUNSHINE SURFING 02 9977 4399 - 89 Pittwater 

Rd, Manly www.sunshinesurfing.com.au 

ALOHA MANLY STYLE 02 9977 3777 

44 Pittwater Rd, Manly 

www.alohasurfmanly.com.au 

BASE SURFBOARDS 02 9976 0591 - 46 North 

Steyne Rd, Manly www.basesurfboards.com 

SALTMOTION 02 9976 6518 Market Place, 

Manly www.saltmotion.com 

MANLY LONGBOARD CO. 02 9977 0093 

39 Belgrave St, Manly manlylongboard.com 

HERITAGE SURF 02 9977 7623 - 24 Darley 

Rd, Manly www.heritagesurfaustralia.com 

SURFECTION 02 9969 1011 - 522 Military 

Rd, Mosman www.surfectionmosman.com 

SYDNEY SOUTH 

BONDI UNDERGROUND 02 9365 0870 

2/72 Campbell Pde, Bondi Beach 

DRIPPING WET SURF CO. 02 9300 0055 180- 

186 Campbell Parade Bondi Beach 

SURF CULTURE 02 9389 5477 - 40 Bronte Rd, 

Bondi Junction www.surfculture.com.au 

CRONULLA SUTHERLAND 

EASTCOAST STAND UP PADDLE 

Dedicated to SUP - Sydney’s 

original Stand Up Paddle 

outlet. Performance, 

flatwater, race, and distance 

boards – we have a board to 

suit all skill levels. 

0413 456009 

0418 294854 

27 Throsby Close 

Barden Ridge 

eastcoaststanduppaddle.com.au 

LESSONS TOURS AND SALES 

Call Peter Japp on 

0488 887 SUP 

or 

0488 88 77 87 

sutherlandshiresupschool.com.au 


CRONULLA STANDUP PADDLEBOARD 

Everything to do with S.U.P 

Lessons, Hire, Sales of 

New and Used equipment, 

Accesories, Apparel & more 

02 9544 2293 

0400 085 823 

Shop 3,13-15 The Kingsway 

Cronulla, NSW 2230 

www.cronullasup.com 

JACKSON SURFBOARDS 02 9524 2700 

57 Captain Cook Drive, Caringbah 

www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au 

TRIPLE BULL 02 9524 4822 - 41 Captain Cook 

Dr, Caringbah; 02 9544 0354 - 23 Kingsway, 

Cronulla www.triplebullsurf.com 

CRONULLA SURF DESIGN 02 9544 0433 

8 Cronulla St, Cronulla 

www.cronullasurfdesign.com.au 

KING SURFBOARDS 02 9521 3645 

577 Princes Hwy, Kirrawee 

WOLLONGONG 

RETRO WOMBAT 02 4267 1322 

228 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 

www.retrowombat.com 

FINBOX BOARDSTORE 02 4268 2050 

1/269 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 

thefinbox.blogspot.com 

BYRNE SURF AND SKI 02 4268 3455 

303 Lawrence Hargrave Dve, Thirroul 

02 4226 1122 -115 Princes Highway, Fairy 

Meadow byrnesurfboardsaustralia.com 

SURF PIT 02 4283 7196 - 2/100 Railway St, 

Corrimal www.surfpit.com.au 

SKIPP SURFBOARDS 02 4229 1202 

231 Crown Street, Wollongong 

(factory showroom); 02 4228 8878 

24 Flinders St, Wollongong 

www.skippsurfboards.com.au 

CARABINE SURF DESIGNS 02 4229 9462 

36 Flinders St, Wollongong 

NSW SOUTH COAST 

ZINK SURF 02 4233 1189 - 136 Terralong St, 

Kiama www.zinksurf.com.au 

NATURAL NECESSITY SURF SHOP 02 4234 1636 

115 Fern St, Gerringong www.nnss.com.au 

AQUATIQUE 02 4421 8159 - 125-127 Junction 

St, Nowra; 02 4441 5530 - 55 Owen St, 

Huskisson www.aquatique.com.au 

BUSTED SURF CO. 02 4447 3485 

10 Fairlands St, Culburra Beach 

OCEAN & EARTH 02 4441 2482 12 Springs 

Road, Sussex Inlet www.oceanearth.com 

SUN & SURF SHOP 02 4441 1938 

Shop 1, 168 Jacobs Dve, Sussex Inlet 

MARK RABBIDGE SURF DESIGN 0427 767 176 

441A Bendalong Rd, Bendalong 


AKWA SURF 02 4454 5222 - Shop 1, 

Mellick’s Corner, Princess Hwy, Milton 

www.akwasurf.com.au 

SOUTHERN MAN SURF SHOP 

02 4454 0343 -138 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla 

www.southernman.com.au 

SALTWATER DREAM 02 4472 3811 

2 Bay Central, Batemans Bay 

OFFSHORE SURF SHOP 02 4474 4350 

66 Vulcan St, Moruya offshoresurf.com.au 

NAROOMA SURF & SKATE 02 4476 1422 

30 Princes Hwy, Narooma 

DSC SURFBOARDS 0424 867 962 

Princes Highway, Narooma 

BERMAGUI SURF SHOP 02 6493 4849 

4/28 Lamont St, Bermagui 

RAW SURFBOARDS 02 6494 4466 

1291 Tathra Road, Kalaru 

www.rawsurfboards.com.au 

BUSHRAT SURFBOARDS - 02 6495 9900 

Widgeram Rd, Merimbula www.bushrat.com 

MERIMBULA SURF SHOP 02 6495 1515 

Merimbula Drive, Merimbula 

SALTWATER DREAM 02 6495 1600 

39 Market St, Merimbula 

COUNTRY VIC 

SURF SHACK 03 5155 4933 

507 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance 

ATOLL TRAVEL 1800 622 310 - 4 Bridge 

Street, Foster www.atolltravel.com 

SERIOUS SURF STUFF 03 5674 2540 

1 Williams St , Inverloch 

VORTEX SURF & SKATE 03 5672 4112 

54 McBride Ave, Wonthaggi 

PHILLIP ISLAND 

OUTEREEF 03 5678 5677 - 73 Phillip Island 

Rd, San Remo www.outereef.com.au 

FULLCIRCLE SURF 03 5678 5873 

115 Marine Pde, San Remo; 03 5956 7453 

4-5 Vista Pl, Cape Woolamai 

www.fullcirclesurf.com.au 

ISLANTIS 03 5956 7553 - 10-12 Phillip 

Island Rd, Newhaven www.islantis.com.au 

ISLAND SURF CENTRE 03 5952 2578 

147 Thompson Ave, Cowes; 03 5952 3443 

65 Smiths Beach Rd, Smiths Beach 

www.islandsurfboards.com.au 

ISLAND SURF SHACK 03 5952 1659 

148 Thompson Ave, Cowes 

MELBOURNE 

ZAK SURFBOARDS 03 9416 7384 

319 Victoria Rd, Thornbury 

www.zaksurfboards.com 

TRIGGER BROS SURF & SAIL 03 9537 3222 

Shop 2, 1 St Kilda Rd, St Kilda 

www.triggerbros.com.au 

RPS (THE BOARD STORE) 03 9525 6475 

87 Ormond Rd, Elwood 

www.rpstheboardstore.com 

BRIGHTON SURF CO. 03 9593 2211 

43 Church St, Brighton 

SHQ BOARDSPORTS 03 9598 2867 

81 Beach Rd, Sandringham www.shq.com.au 

MORDY SURF CENTRE 03 9580 1716 

628 Main St, Mordialloc mordysurf.com.au 

PAULOWNIA SURFBOARD SUPPLIES 

03 9588 2533 - 45 Governor Road, 

Mordialloc paulowniaparadise.com.au 

OKE SURFBOARDS 03 9587 3553 

Factory 1 1-7 Canterbury Rd, Braeside 

www.okesurfboards.com 

TRIGGER BROS SURF & SAIL 03 9770 2223 

7 Rossmith St, Frankston; 03 5989 8402 

Point Leo Rd, Point Leo; 03 5984 5670 

46 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento 

www.triggerbros.com.au 

PENINSULA SURF CENTRE 03 9783 3811 

40 Wells St, Frankston; 03 5975 1800 

835 Nepean Hwy, Mornington; 

03 5985 4637 - 2137 Pt Nepean Hwy, Rye 

www.peninsulasurf.com.au 

BALIN 03 5986 6069 - 12 Newington Ave, 

Rosebud www.balin.com.au 

BEAN SURFING 03 5984 5199 

4 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento 

VIC SURF COAST 

MURFS LONGBOARDS 03 5255 5525 

82 The Terrace, Ocean Grove 

www.murfslongboards.com.au 

STRAPPER SURF 03 5255 2666 

67b The Terrace, Ocean Grove 

www.strapper.com.au 

GREEN ROOM SURF SHOP 03 5256 2996 

64 The Terrace, Ocean Grove 

www.greenroom.com.au 

RASTA’S 03 5254 3255 51 Hitchcock Ave, 

Barwon Heads rastasurfboards.com.au 

STONKER TORQUAY 03 5261 6077 - 1a Baines 

Cr, Torquay www.stonker.com.au 

HYDROPHILIC 0421 504 621 - 1C Baines Cr, 

Torquay www.southcoastlongboards.com.au 

SURF WORLD 03 5261 4606 Surf City Plaza, 

Torquay www.surfworld.org.au 

PATAGONIA 03 5261 4420 - 116 Surfcoast 

Hwy, Torquay www.patagonia.com.au 

BASE 03 5261 5666 - 3/108 Surfcoast Hwy, 

Torquay www.basesurfboards.com 

STRAPPER 03 5261 3508 - 96 Surfcoast Hwy, 

Torquay; 03 5261 2312 - 106 Surfcoast Hwy, 

Torquay www.strapper.com.au 

WATERMARKS PHOTO GALLERY 03 5264 7232 

38-40 Bell Street, Torquay 

www.watermarksphotogallery.com.au 

TORQUAY SURFING ACADEMY 03 5261 2022 

34A Bell St, Torquay torquaysurf.com.au 

TIGERFISH 03 5264 7271 - 12/15 Bell St, 

Torquay www.tigerfish.com.au 

ANGLESEA SURF CENTRE 03 5263 1530 

111 Great Ocean Rd, Anglesea www. 

secondhandsurfboards.com.au 

LORNE SURF SHOP 03 5289 1673 

130 Mountjoy Pde, Lorne 

SHARKY’S 03 5289 2421 

Mountjoy Pde, Lorne 

HODGY’S SURF CENTRE 03 5237 7883 

143 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay hodgys.com 

SHIPWRECK COAST 

PORT CAMPBELL TRADING CO. 03 5598 6444 

27 Lord Street, Port Campbell 

TAYLORS SURFODESY 03 5562 5681 

132 Liebig Street, Warrnambool 

WARRNAMBOOL SURF CENTRE 03 5562 1981 

136 Koroit Street, Warrnambool 

DAKTARI SURF/DIVE 03 5568 2800 

33 Bank Street, Port Fairy 

www.daktarisport.com.au 

TASMANIA 

LONG POINT SURF 03 6375 1717 

60 Burgess Street, Bicheno 

BAY SURF SHOP 03 6376 1755 

2 Pendrigh Place, St Helens TAS 

SCAMANDER BEACH SURFSHOP 03 6372 5529 

6 Lagoon Esplanade, Scamander 

www.scamandersurf.com 

RED HERRING www.redherringsurf.com.au 

03 6231 9001 - 75 Liverpool Street, Hobart 

03 6431 2455 - 12 Mount Street, Burnie 

03 6331 0984 - 127 Charles Street, Launceston 

03 6272 7552 - Shop 41, Northgate 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 

BARREL SURF 08 8555 5422 - 10c Cadell St, 

Goolwa www.barrellsurf.com.au 

FLY BOARDRIDING (08) 8555 5331 

Shop 18, Goolwa Shopping Centre, Goolwa 

BIG SURF AUSTRALIA 08 8554 2399 

24 Goolwa Rd, Middleton 

SOUTHERN SURF 08 8554 2375 

36 North Tce, Port Elliot 

THE SURF SHOP 08 8552 5466 -15 Albert 

Place, Victor Harbor thesurfshop.net.au 

SURF ESTEEM 08 8557 7201 - Aldinga Central 

Shopping Centre www.surfesteem.com 

THE DING KING / CLARK SURFBOARDS 

0422 443 789 - 20 Cottage Road, Hackham 

leightonclark01@yahoo.com.au 

PREECE’S SOUTH PORT SURF 08 8386 0404 

159 Esplanade, Port Noarlunga South 

www.preece-sthport-surf.com.au 

FLY BOARDRIDING 08 8386 0100 

Shop 41 Seaford Shopping Centre 

www.flyboardriding.com.au 

ONBOARD SURF WIND SNOW 08 8294 3866 

21 Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga; 1-3 Lights 

Landing, Holdfast Shores, Glenelg 

www.onboardsurf.com.au 

CUTLOOSE SURF 08 8326 0939 - 4 Piping 

Lane, Lonsdale www.cutloosesurf.com.au 

MID COAST SURF 08 83845522 - 8/200 Dyson 

Road, Lonsdale www.midcoastsurf.com.au 

ISLAND SURF 08 8296 9776 

363 Brighton Road Hove 

EXTREME BOARDRIDERS 08 8295 1219 

1/118 Jetty Rd, Glenelg 

JRS SURF & SKI 08 838 47466 - Centro 

Colonnades; 08 8377 0322 - Westfield 

Marion; 08 8223 5505 -121 Grenfell St, 

Adelaide CBD; 08 8231 9577 - Myer 

Centre, Adelaide CBD; 08 8396 4822 

Tea Tree Plus www.jrssurfandski.com.au 

WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 08 8376 4914 

27 Oaklands Rd, Somerton Park 

www.wallbridge.com.au 

SANCTUARY SURFERS 0403 134 478 

201 Waymouth St, Adelaide 

www.sanctuary.net.au 

SNOW & SURF CO. 08 8223 5277 

187 Rundle St, Adelaide; 08 8332 0900 

177 The Parade, Norwood 

www.snowsurf.com.au 

DING REPAIRS 

AGNES WATER/1770 

REEF 2 BEACH 

(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 

07 4974 9072 

SUNSHINE COAST 

DA BOMB 

(Mon – Sat, 9-5pm, Sun,10-4pm) 

07 5451 0620 - Maroochydore 

07 5437 9201 - Bokarina 

BRISBANE 

PRIMITIVE SURF 

(Mon-Fri, 8:30-5:30pm, Thurs 

8:30am-8pm, Sat, 8:30-4pm, 

Sun, 10-4pm) 


SOUTHPORT 

KOMA 

(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 

0402 863 763 

MIAMI 

DINO’S DING REPAIRS 

(M-F 9-5pm, Sat 9-12pm) 

0409 727 735 

TUGUN 

DIVERSE 

(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and 

Sun, 9-4pm) 


KIRRA 

PADDLE TRIBE REPAIRS & 

RESTORATIONS (Mon-Sat 10-5) 

0408701467 or 0421994649 

COOLANGATTA 

UNDERGROUND SURF 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 


FULL FORCE 

(M-F, 9-5pm) 


BYRON BAY 

DR DING SURFBOARD REPAIRS 

(Mon-Fri, 8-5pm, Sat 10-4pm, 

Sun 10-2pm) 

0431 740 940 

YAMBA 

THE PLANK SHOP 

02 6645 8362 

TOMBSTONE SURFBOARDS 

(Tues-Fri, 9-4pm, Sat, 9-12pm) 

0432 330 826 

COFFS HARBOUR 

THE LOG SHACK 

(M-F, 10-5pm, Sat & Sun 

10-2:30pm) 

02 6658 0223 

NORAH HEAD 

BUCKO’S SURFBOARD REPAIRS 

& RESTORATIONS 

(M-F, 10-5.30pm, weekends by 

appointment 

0422 304 078 

LONG JETTY 

S & D SURF DESIGNS 

(M-F, 9-4pm, Sat 9-12pm) 

0437 032 614 

SYDNEY NORTH 

BROOKVALE SURFBOARD 

REPAIRS 

(M-F,8:30-5:30pm, Sat and 

Sun, 9-4pm) 

0403 971 072 

CHAOS SURFBOARDS 

(M-F,9-6pm, 

Sat & Sun 8:30-6pm) 

02 9907 2769 

WOOLONGONG 


M-F,9-5:30, Thurs 9-7:30pm, 

Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4) 

02 4228 8878 

JERVIS BAY 

INNER FEELING SURFBOARDS 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

02 4441 6756 

NAROOMA 

DSC SURFBOARDS 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

0424 867 962 

THORNBURY 


(Mon-Fri,10-6pm; Sat 10-5pm) 

03 9416 7384 

TORQUAY 

STONKER TORQUAY 

(Mon – Fri, 9-5pm) 

03 5261 6077 

PHILLIP ISLAND 

ISLAND SURF SHOP - COWES 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

03 5952 2578 

FULLCIRCLE SURF 

(7 days, 9-5pm) 

03 5956 7453 

ADELAIDE 

WALLBRIDGE SURFBOARDS 

(M-F, 9-5.30pm, Sat 9-4pm) 

08 8376 4914 

SOUTH ADELAIDE 

THE DING KING 

(M-F, 9-5pm) 

0422 443 789 

FIX BROKEN BOARDS? 

Promote your repair business for $15 

an edition. Call 0401 345 201 


157

Planning a surfing holiday or weekend away? These fine accommodation options offer 

great proximity to surf beaches in some of the country’s best surf spots. Get out there. 

QUEENSLAND 

SURF TRIP ACCOMMODATION 

NEW SOUTH WALES 

VICTORIA 

PORTOBELLO BY THE SEA 

 

6 Beerburrum St, Dicky Beach 

Caloundra 

Fantastic surf spots right on 

your doorstep. Moffat, Neill 

Street, Dicky Beach all within 

a 5 minute walk. Luxury 

accommodation within 50 m of 

some of the best restaurants 

Caloundra has to offer. 

Proximity: Across from 

patrolled Dicky Beach, on-site 

dining and shopping. 

Phone: 07 5491 9038 

E: info@portobellobythesea.com.au 

www.portobellobythesea.com.au 

From $325 for two nights. 

PANDANUS PALMS 

HOLIDAY RESORT 

21 Cumming Pde, Point Lookout, 

North Stradbroke Island 

High on a hill overlooking Home 

Beach, looking north towards 

Moreton Island, offering plenty 

of open space for children to 

play, full size tennis court and 

swimming pool. 

The two or three bedroom villas 

are fully self-contained with 

large living area and private 

balcony, own BBQ and linen 

is supplied. We can arrange 

return vehicle ferry crossings at 

a discounted rate. 

Proximity: 500m walk to Home 

Beach and Stradbroke Island 

Beach Hotel. 2km to cafes, 

shops and Gorge Walk. 

P: 07 3409 8106 

E: bookings@pandanuspalmsresort.com 

www.pandanuspalmsresort.com 

THE ISLANDER HOLIDAY RESORT 

41 East Coast Rd, Point Lookout 


Ideally located, whether it’s 

adventure or relaxation you’re 

after, there’s something for 

everyone - pool, tennis court, bbq 

area, kids playground, scooter & 

car hire. Studio, 1 & 2 bedroom 

apartments available, all fully 

self-contained with foxtel, dvd 

player, wireless internet access, 

balconies and parking. 

Proximity: 2 min walk to 

hotel, pub, bowls club, shops 

& restaurants. Opposite Home/ 

Cylinder beaches. 


E: islander@stradbrokeresorts.com.au 

islander.stradbrokeresorts.com.au 

From $225 for 2 nights 

IBIS WOLLONGONG 

Cnr Church and Market Street 

Wollongong 

3.5 star hotel in the heart of 

Wollongong restaurant and 

business district, minutes from 

beautiful beaches. Winner Best 

Standard Accommodation on the 

South Coast 2008, 2009 & 2010. 

Air conditioned rooms include 

tea and coffee facilities, mini 

bar fridges, flatscreen TV and 

internet connectivity. Special 

Access rooms and facilities are 

also available. 

Proximity: 10 minute 

walk to the beach and WIN 

Entertainment Centre. On the 

doorstep of Crown St Mall 

Phone: 02 4223 6000 

E: H6377@accor.com 

www.accorhotels.com/6377 

PHILLIP ISLAND VISITOR 

INFORMATION CENTRE 

895 Phillip Island Road, 

Newhaven, Phillip Island 

Planning a surf trip to Phillip 

Island? The island offers 

over 2000 beds and over 100 

accommodation businesses to 

choose from. 

Contact Phillip Island 

Visitor Information Centre’s 

accommodation specialists for 

all your accommodation needs. 

Let our friendly staff assist you 

in finding the perfect place for 

you to stay. 

P: 1300 366 422 

E: piinfo@basscoast.vic.gov.au 

www.visitbasscoast.com 

From $330.00 for two nights 

From $119 per room per night 

CALOUNDRA 

HOLIDAY CENTRE 

1/78 Bulcock St, Caloundra 

Caloundra Holiday Centre has 

been assisting holidaymakers 

find their perfect Sunshine Coast 

getaway for over 25 years. We 

offer one of the largest portfolios 

of holiday accommodation in 

Caloundra, consisting of a great 

choice of budget to luxury self 

contained units and houses at 

all beaches. With family friendly 

prices and seniors’ discounts 

available, we’re sure to have a 

property to suit your needs at a 

competitive price. 

Our friendly and experienced 

staff can assist you with 

finding your perfect beach 

break! Request our free colour 

brochure and price list today! 


E: info@caloundraholidaycentre.com.au 

caloundraholidaycentre.com.au 

From $340 p/w, low season 

WHALE WATCH OCEAN 

BEACH RESORT 

Samarinda Dve, Point Lookout, 


Located at North Stradbroke 

Island’s Point Lookout, Whale 

Watch Ocean Beach Resort 

provides endless views along 

the main surfing beach (which 

is one of the east’s coasts 

renowned surf spots) and over 

the Pacific Ocean, to the Gold 

Coast and beyond. 

Proximity: Short walk to Point 

Lookout Surf Club and all the 

major Point Lookout attractions. 


E: reservations@ 

whalewatchresort.com.au 

www.whalewatchresort.com.au 

STRADBROKE ISLAND 

HOLIDAYS 

Shop 2 Raby Bay Harbour 

152 Shore Street West 

Cleveland 

North Stradbroke Island is the 

ideal holiday destination for 

families, couples or maybe 

just a day trip. Located one 

hour from Brisbane, Straddie is 

easily accessible by Stradbroke 

Ferries’ fast reliable vehicle 

ferries or water taxi which 

depart from Cleveland. 

Stradbroke Island Holidays 

offer an efficient booking 

service to arrange all of your 

accommodation and luxury 

Stradbroke Ferry transfers to 

and from North Stradbroke 

Island. 


www.stradbrokeholidays.com.au 

KIAMA COVE MOTEL 

10 Bong Bong St, Kiama 

Kiama Cove Motel is located in 

the heart of Kiama, overlooking 

Surf Beach with most rooms 

having ocean views, airconditioning 

and king sized 

beds. All with complimentary 

continental breakfasts. 

Proximity: Right on Kiama 

Beach. Short walk to the main 

street of Kiama. 

Phone: 02 4232 3000 

E: kiamacove@bigpond.com 

www.kiamacove.com.au 

From $99-$169 per room 

per night 

SILVERWATER RESORT 

17 Potters Hill Rd, San Remo 

Spacious one, two and 

three-bedroom self-contained 

apartments all with spectacular 

bay views and modern 

conveniences. Complementing 

the 4.5 star accommodation 

is an excellent range of resort 

facilities including indoor 

and outdoor pool, billiards 

and games room, tennis and 

basketball courts, restaurant 

and bar. 

Proximity: Five mins to surf 

beach, two mins to town 

Phone: 1800 033 403 

res@silverwaterresort.com.au 

www.silverwaterresort.com.au 


TV 

gym 

laundry 

kitchen 

parking wi-fi pool airconditioning family-friendly pet-friendly spa 

bbq 


2. 

1. 

3. 

STAND 

UP FOR 

SUTHERLAND 

The Cronulla Sutherland Stand Up 

Paddle Club has been extremely 

active in flying the flag for the SUP 

family and has hosted a number of 

great events over the past months. 

Here’s a few shots from the July 

club get together and surf race. 

4. 

5. 

PHOTOS: 

1. The contenders line up... 

2. Red - Peter Japp, Purple - Daniel 

Hampson, Pink - Mick Slattery, 

Yellow - Paul Dreghorn 

3. Peter Japp 

4. Surf Race action 

5. Daniel hampson, 12’6” race 

To find out more, or to get involved, 

check out the website: 

cronullasutherlandsupclub.com.au 

2. 

1. 

3. 

SWAPPING 

IN THE 

SUNSHINE 

Adelaide’s only all-girls and 

women’s surf club, SurferGirls 

were kind enough to send us some 

photos from one of their recent club 

get togethers. 

Girls of all ages and surfing abilities 

are welcome to join the club, with 

their main aim to get girls and 

women out there surfing, having 

fun and learning new skills. 

So if you’re in Adelaide and love to 

surf, drop SurferGirls a line to meet 

up with some likeminded people. 

7. 

4. 

PHOTOS: 

1. The junior development squad 

2. Emma 

3. Yasmin 

4. Ladies of all ages on the beach 

www.surfergirls.com.au 




159

“JUST FOR CRUISING” 

The Maldives is without question the 

ultimate playground for the 

intermediate level surfer. Head high 

waves are an every day occurence in 

this part of the world and the all day 

offshores are just the icing on the 

cake. Liquid’s knowledge of the region 

is the key to the success in finding 

everybodies dream trip unfold of 

perfect waves with no one around. If 

you want to do a trip with a bunch of 

mates or your wife and kids these are 

the trips to go on as they focus on 

getting waves for all levels of surfers. 

MALDIVES SURF TOURS 

“GIVE ME THE GOODS” 

There is no question that the 

Maldives can’t deliver pumping waves 

that will test the best of us. The 

region is often overlooked and falls 

well behind the shadow of the famous 

“Indo”. The reality is the same ocean 

delivers the same swells and the 

Maldives has got an abundance of 

epic set ups that offer long walls for 

cutbacks or long barrel sections that 

will test anybody. If you can mix it up 

in decent size waves then step on 

board for the search of perfect surf. 

“I WANT IT PUMPING” 

This is the area that Liquid 

Destination truly comes into their 

own. There is one claim these guys 

make and it is they are the first and 

only boat operators who constantly 

chase the big stuff. No one in the 

Maldives has the same agenda as 

these guys. If you think the Maldives 

can’t deliver big scary stuff think again 

because these guys have seen it, 

surfed it and got flogged by it. And 

the best thing is they love it! These 

trips are only for the top level 

surfers. 

Contact 0407 157 077 

info@liquiddestination.com 

www.liquiddestiantion.com 


RETRO 

RIDERS 

WORDS: MADELAINE DICKIE 

PHOTOS: JAVIER LEON 

SPRING 

IS IN 

ZE’ AIR! 

Sacre bleu! Wis years of local 

experience and ze ‘ighest quality 

materials, a ZEE wetsuit is ze 

warmest and most comfortable 

wetsuit you can own. Most importantly, 

every ZEE WETSUIT 

is built to last. Made locally and 

100% Australian owned. 

There were no headstands, 

coffin rides or Egyptian floaters 

at the 2011 Puckeys Pipe Retro 

Comp in Wollongong. But 

there were plenty of pre-heat 

vomits, no-shows and a 

healthy dose of fear... The surf 

was massive - a roaring 6-8ft 

winter groundswell with the 

meaty barrels and frequent 

shutdowns. You’d think twice 

about paddling out on a 

thruster - but on a single fin? 

With the only rule being that 

you have to ride an old single 

or twin fin board, this wordof-mouth 

event is usually held 

once a year at Wollongong’s 

notoriously heavy beach, 

Puckeys. But Puckeys was 

unrideable, so it was moved to 

the south side of Towradgi. 

This year the honours went to 

Tom Nagle, who braved the 

biggest sets, took the biggest 

beat-downs and scored the 

biggest barrel. 

BOTH STORES, SHE 

IS OPEN ZEE 6 DAYS! 

OPEN HOURS: Mon-Fri: 9 - 5 

Sat: 9 - 12 

NOOSA: 07 5474 1010 

MOOLOOLABA: 07 5444 7007 

Unit 2, 15 Venture Drive, 


NEW 

STORE! 

122 Brisbane Road, 

Mooloolaba, QLD 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EVENT 

If you have something on the go, let us know. Email us on: editorial@smorgasboarder.com.au 

sales@zeewetsuits.com 

www.zeewetsuits.com 


161

CLOSEOUT: RELAX 

NEW KIDS 

ON THE BLOCK 

X literally does mark the spot as Scott 

Newman and Luke Hutchinson hoist up 

the SLS Surfboards logo onto their new 

digs in Moffat Beach. Good blokes that 

they are, they laid out a BBQ and beers to 

celebrate the opening. The eyes enjoyed 

some great boards on display, alongside 

local surf photography and artwork, the 

ears got a DJ spinning vinyl and the 

nostrils got the eternally excellent smell of 

sausages on the go. And don’t forget the 

beers, of course. Good on you, gentlemen 

and best of luck for the future! 

1. 

3. 4. 

2. 

5. 

PHOTOS: 

1. Reiko Wilkinson, the prawn man and 

local artist Thom Stuart 

2. Shamus, Josh Thompson, Dean Chelin 

3. The men of the hour: Short board shaper 

Luke Hutchinson sharing a celebratory beer 

with Scott Newman, SLS’ longboard man. 

4. Miles Livingston and Bill Lyons 

5. Dave Bundellu 

6. Ali Wills, DJ Amtops, Frec, Haley, Mr Boinkin 

7. Esther Bundellu, Jacqui Walker, Mr Pascoe 

6. 7. 

www.slssurfboards.com.au 

SWAPPING 

IN THE SUNSHINE 

WORDS AND PHOTOS: PAT QUIRK 

The weather gods were kind as Da Bomb 

Surf Shop and More Surfboards hosted the 

inaugural Sunshine Coast Vintage Surf Swap 

Meet in Maroochydore. Interest in vintage 

boards was clear by the large number of 

people in attendance. 

There were boards from all over Australia 

including Nirvana, Bill Wallace, Kenn 

Customs, San Juan, Fluid Foils, Bennett, Bob 

McTavish, Ron, Don Burford as well as some 

great 60’s longboards and even a Joe Larkin 

shaped by Michael Petersen. 

The standout board for me of the day was 

the Wilderness Surfboard which numerous 

people suggested was shaped by David 

“Baddy” Treloar. This was the Morning of the 

Earth surf movie era and many surf icons such 

as McTavish, Greenough, Baddy and Chris 

Brock worked with Wilderness Surfboards in 

Angourie, NSW. 

Thanks to Mark Pridmore of More Surfboards 

and Sharon and Nigel Jackson of Da Bomb for 

a great swap meet. Can’t wait until next time! 

1. 

4. 

6. 

2. 3. 

7. 

5. 

PHOTOS: 

1. Mark Pridmore setting up 

2-5. Stars of the day - boards, boards, boards 

6. Fanatical collectors, Darryl Homan and Pat 

7. All ages enjoyed the boards on display 



163

It’s what we can’t tell you that matters

Smorgasboarder_07_September-2011

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