SB_issue54_digital

NEWS
Had a gutful
Oceanfoil Surfboards is quickly eliminating the heartbreak of
retiring from the ocean as Gut Slider orders soar – literally.
Readers may remember the legend of Keith Robinson
from our last edition - the 74-year-old surfer and
shaper based in Nambucca Valley that gifted the
surfboard industry with the Gut Slider.
His innovation was a board for himself and his mates
that stopped aging knees from getting in the way of
surf sessions. Applying his so-called ‘crazy ideas’ and
his extensive shaping experience, Keith developed a
board you lie on that allows the rider to paddle into
waves easily and perform cutbacks just as you would
with a regular surfboard.
Since his story was published in Smorgasboarder, we
would like to not-so-humbly point out that orders for
Oceanfoils Gut Sliders have taken off and are coming
at him from all directions across Australia. Keith said
the response to his boards have been overwhelming,
as he has received over fifty orders and has only been
able to handle four at a time.
“I just did it for a mate of mine who had a hip
operation and that’s all I thought it would be. Then
word kind of got out and it went a bit crazy.
“It turns out there’s a whole range of people out there
that just can’t physically push up to get onto their feet
anymore, or it just takes them so long to get up that
they miss the best part of the wave.
“I’m getting orders from Tasmania, Western Australia,
South Australia, Victoria and even an old mate I used
to work with in New Zealand rang up and asked me
about them.”
To keep up with demand, Oceanfoil has enlisted the
help of their mates at Oke Surfboards in Melbourne.
Keith said he chose Oke as his partner in making the
boards because of their ability to make his boards
as authentic, comfortable and catered towards his
customers as possible.
“I know the people at Oke Surfboards really well,
I picked them because they are like me - very
fastidious. Their quality is amazing, they are all great
people, and I am quite happy to work with them
because I can’t possibly make all of these boards.
“I am still going to be making the local stuff, like
orders from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and as
far down as Sydney. Then I’ll be quite happy to just
sit back and know that the job is done. I’m happy
everyone is getting in the water and everyone’s
stoked about the boards.
One of Keith’s most extraordinary new customers is
Kevin Merifield, an 85-year-old surfer in Perth showing
no signs of giving up on the waves. Keith said Kevin
is quite simply a legend among surfers in Western
Australia and is believed to be the first person to surf
Margaret River.
“He’s as fit as a fiddle and still gets out in 10-foot
surf, but he’s had a little bit of trouble getting up on a
board.
“He asked me to make him a Gut Slider, but I don’t
like doing things if I don’t think it’s right. We already
had one being sent to Western Australia, so I asked
him to try it out first.
“When I know exactly what people need, where they
surf, how they like riding, what size board they
need, I am able to do the best job I can for them.”
The Gut Sliders have not just provided retiring
surfers with an alternative to giving up, but
have also introduced a new, invigorating way
to experience waves. Keith said the board
accumulates instant speed and soars as soon
as you take off.
“When you’re laying down on the board,
you get to see a lot more of the wave then
when you are standing up. You can see all
of the beautiful curves, the kinetic energy,
and you can direct yourself better. You
fly - you actually fly - all these old guys
are going to need hair transplants.
“People see this as an opportunity to
get back into it again because they
are quite miserable on giving up
surfing and giving up something that
they love.”
While he is technically retired, for
Keith the call of the ocean and the
creativity of board shaping will
always drive him. Keith said he
is quite happy to keep surfing,
floating around in his shed and
coming up with even more
crazy ideas.
“All I want to do is go surf,
and it’s always been like that
since day one. The surfboard
industry for some people is
a commercial venture, but
for me it’s always just been
about the lifestyle. The best
surfer in the water is the
guy having the most fun.”
15 / #54 / sb