Tris twinnie by Martin Wright

Martin Wright was a hot St Agnes surfer shaper and worked for Tris and Hot Stuff. He won the Open British title in 1982 and the British juniors in 1977. This is one of his twin fin with finbox shapes from the early 80s, its 6'1 x 19 3/4.

Martin Wright at Porthleven circa '83, a great shot by Alex Williams.

Freedom singlefin by Steve Harewood

Stephane from Biarritz has sent us some pictures of a recent find, a nice 7 ft Freedom singlefin from the early - mid 70s by Steve Harewood. Harewood was one of the top surfers in Jersey from the mid 60s and was in the four man British team going to the World Champs in Puerto Rico in 1968. This trip opened his eyes to what was going on in board design and he was especially interested in Reno Abellira and David Nuuhiwa's board designs .Then he went straight to the US and worked for Dewey Weber for 6 months helping to produce the Ski .In 1969 he came home a more experienced shaper and set up Freedom with his friend Barry Jenkins. I'm a big fan of Freedoms, especially around the mid 70s when Bobby Male was putting out some really beautiful shapes.Thanks to Stephane for the photos.

Steve Harewood mid 1960s

Here's a couple of Harewood Freedoms which were up for sale a few months ago. The blue one is 7'2 x 20, and the Aipa style stinger is 6'10 x 20 3/8.

Up in the attic.........

I'm gradually working my way through the collection and now what's left are the boards in random places, the back of the shed, stuffed down the side of the fridge, on the rafters in the attic. They're there in the dark ,patiently waiting to go for a surf or to be put on the blog, otherwise they're not seen ,its tragic really; one day I'll build a nice long shed for them all ...one day.

Theres some nice boards up here still, a hot buttered twinnie by Derek Hynd, a couple of Bilbos, an In Natural Flow early Tris , a Bruce Palmer and a few more that I forget about then rediscover.

Contest programmes 60s /70s

Here are some rare contest programmes from Graham's collection from venues spread around Cornwall and Devon, dating between '66 and '73. Also below is this Bilbo ad showing its commanding position in the British surf industry with lots of familiar names getting good results.

Morning of the Earth

Keeping with the Morning of the Earth, here are a couple of clips , one with Nat on his ski.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRJu4KjATKA and www.youtube.com/watch?v=S75a00owFFA

Weber Ski displacement hull

The Ski was designed by Nat Young for Dewey Weber and was the board used by Nat in the Morning of the Earth. I bought this one cheap knowing it had a few issues but was deadset on having my morning of the Earth moment ! The few issues being that I think it spent its life on top of a boiler because its like a bed of nails to lie on with lots of ridges and creases on the deck. After two waves I'd had enough, I could feel a pidgeon chest coming on so had to run out and get another board. Life is a gamble sometimes you lose.

If anyone is interested in buying it its a great board, just needs a bit of cosmetic filler etc etc. Its redeeming feature is the lovely Greenough fin and the cool technical logo. Its 6'10 x 20 3/4 x 3.

Mike Davis single fin mid 70s

Here's a nice Australian single fin I picked up from the local car boot sale last summer. Made by Mike Davis of Kiama, which I think is on the east coast. Its a fast board, 7 ft x 19 1/2 x 2 2/3 made for speedy Aussie points and has a nice triple stringer and is in great condition for its age, probably mid 70s. The logos may have been a bit influenced by others, see the photos, or mabye it was the same artist who did the McCoy and Davis logos ?

Atlantic Surfer magazine late 1970s

Atlantic Surfer was started in Newquay by Aussie Greg Haythorpe in 1978. When Greg resigned John Conway took over the helm in 1980, and although the mag didn't last long, John Conway's new mag which he started in 1981 , Wavelength , has gone on to be one of the top and longest lasting British surf mags. Thanks to Graham for the cover shots.

St Merryn surf jumble Dec 5th

I might well have a wander up to the surf jumble on December 5th for some tea ,cake and a few bargains. Should really do a stall if I'm organised enough.

My first 'new' new board for years

Theres a bit of a similarity in the mcCoy and this late 60s backyard UK board in outline - ok only a bit.

After years of buying 2nd hand boards I've just taken delivery of this lovely shiny Jack McCoy nugget. I've surfed single fins for ages and wanted something with the same volume and weight but with a different template and radically for me, 3 fins ! This board looks like it will fly and give a lot more control in the pocket so I can't wait ! Just like a single fin you have to get the weight on the tail to do a short arc turn. Luckily my local surfshop is the only one in the northern hemisphere ( so they say ) thats sells them. Its 6'8 x 21 x 3.

Some more nice McCoys

Here are a few classic McCoys, there's many to choose from ! Above is an early 70s singlefin with a beautiful spray. Below is a stunner, a Cheyne Horan model from the end of the 70s , from the collection of www.vintagehawaiiansurfboards.com .

Cheyne Horan with the legendary Lazor Zap.

Shoreline Surfboards single fin

Continuing with my weekly check on whats been on ebay, this caught my eye, a rare singlefin made by the little known Shoreline surfboards of Watergate Bay, Cornwall. I don't know if this make is familiar to anyone out there but its a new one to me. Its 7 ft and the seller dates it to 1968, theres no shapers name and the logo looks hand drawn, interesting board though and it goes to show there's more surfing companies than you think.