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The overall condition of the board is also an important
factor, whether this be its original condition or
restored condition. As discussed, boards are rated on
a 1 to 10 scale in terms of condition. The boards that
are typically in better condition are more collectable.
This is where the quality of the restoration process in
terms of enhancing the boards condition plays a big
role.
However, providence is the most significant and often
unknown factor in terms of making a board financially
valuable. Providence refers to the verified background
of the board, including the shaper, the brand, the
decals, the artwork, and the people who have ridden
it. These all add to the story, history and importance
of a board. For the average surfer who has a couple
of old boards under the house, this is one of the
most difficult areas to determine. Those of us who
don’t have an intimate knowledge of surfing history
probably don’t pay much attention to many of these
details. Being able to identify the tangible history of
the board helps to determine its true value. Searching
for clues such as the brand, the shaper and any
identifying features can assist with this investigative
process. Wayne advised a good starting point is the
surfsearch.com.au website.
THE SURF GALLERY
‘EVOLUTION OF THE
SURFBOARD’
Over his years in the industry, Wayne amassed an
impressive collection of rare and collectible boards.
When running his shaping and repair factory in Perth,
surfers would often trade their old boards for the latest
models.
“People didn’t see the value in old single fins, they
were seeking to get their hands on the latest thruster,”
he said.
Despite not having any plans for the growing
collection at the time, he maintained a deep
appreciation for the craftsmanship and artwork
associated with these boards so he couldn’t help
but keep them. Wayne explained that at the time,
those boards were not considered collectable, as
they weren’t that old. It wasn’t until the early 2000s,
when the sport of surfing become a major industry,
that people really started to appreciate them for their
cultural and historical significance.
Forward some 30 or so years later, Wayne decided it
was time display his hidden treasures.
He curated some hugely successful “Evolution of the
Surfboard” exhibitions in Albany and Esperance and
received a lot of interest in his collection. Momentum
continued to build but the logistics of transporting
and displaying his boards proved prohibitive. So
Wayne, with the support of his wife Carol, sought
and identified a suitable property on the highway at
Youngs Siding. Previously it was a dairy farm and at
the time of purchase in 2020 it housed a Woodwork
Shop.