Here's an obscure one from the Gul collection, an early -mid 70s singlefin made by Hue surfboards with a hand drawn patriotic Britannia logo. This could have been made by one of the big makers under a side label as a tax dodge, or could just be a rare and small output shaper - who knows ? Some surfing history is a bit patchy. Photos by Alex.
Possibly one of the first Gul ads, sent in by Graham . Its from Surf Insight no 1 from 1972, and uses a long forgotten address.
Some great images which convey heat and lazy days around the beach, by Loomis Dean, Joni Sternbach and Leroy Grannis.
This month's Cornwall today is a special surfing issue, due in a big way to the guest editor Alex Wade, author of Surf Nation. It's worth a read with lots about our surfing history and whats going on today, and even I get a mention in the arts section!
As we come into the 30th anniversary of Wavelength, the mag started by John Conway, it seems apt to see this great example of his shaping skill made in around 1970/1 at the Belmont Place , Newquay factory. John learnt the ropes with Freddie Bickers and went on to produce boards through the 70s before taking up serious surf photography and publishing in the late 70s, working on Atlantic surfer and creating Wavelength in 1981. He also did lots to promote professionalism in UK surfing which led to a strong contest scene and ASP events from the early 80s. Being an important figure and a great shaper his boards are sought after now, and were also sought after in the early 70s when surfers looked for boards with soul from small creative producers rather than the corporate giants. From the Gul collection, shots by Alex.
John during his apprenticeship with Bickers, 1966 ish, photo by Fred. He was bare chested because Fred had told him to take off his Bob Head surfboards t shirt.
Conways at little Fistral, shot by the man himself.
A load of Tiki blanks and boards with a pickup in there somewhere, 1973.
Not the most glamourous part of the UK's surfing history but vital nevertheless. Most makers either imported foreign blanks or blew their own foam with varying degrees of success. Companies like Bilbo blew their own foam from the early days but also imported Walker blanks; Bickers did it all themselves. Tiki blew Castle foam in the 60s but used Bennet foam from Oz in the 70s, as did many UK makers. Clark foam was also popular from the late 60s and the quality was worth the import costs, and became a giant in the 80s and 90s.
Above Castle foam ad late 60s, top Groves foam 1970. Below Bilbo 1968.
In England. Imagine lord Sutch's rolls with Rod Sumpter's bilbo on the roof rack - what a combo.
In Ireland
In France
In the US of A
Sandy has recently dug this Welsh gem out of the shed, a Zippy sticks 6'11 looking fresh as a daisy, probably shaped by Roger Cooper. It was bought by Sandy's mum in the late 70s and just needs a bit of pampering on the tail to get it surfing. Theres a family heirloom for you. Full on bungee leash - comes straight back at ya !
A tidy looking Tris swallowtail from the mid 70s, made at the factory at Mt Hawke near Porthtowan. This one's sent in by Henry and its probably shaped by Tris himself, sporting one of my favourite logos - I suppose the face is the sun but it always reminds me of the statue of liberty peering over the atlantic. This board's got its original ply fin and Cosmic leash..jpg){kind=logo}
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Surf magazine, 2000
Henry has strong roots in WA and his boards reflect that - a good selection of Aussie spoons and singlefins.
Cordingleys - pintail and 5'5 early twin fin from 1970/1.
Jacko gun with a cool spray and Jacko spoon similar to Greenough's red velo. Thanks to Henry for sharing them.
Fluid Juice is a big name now but here's where it all began, one of the first, shaped around '77 or '78 by Adrian Philips with Mike Woodman. Its a classic shape , and although a bit crude and with a great handwritten logo in schoolboy writing its a nice piece of history, preserved in the Gul collection. It would have been made at the airfield factory at St Merryn near Padstow. Photos by Alex.
Age Philips early 80s
The books above and below were both printed in England, in 1968 and '65. The better surfing book was from Wandsworth public libraries - well inland !
Overseas book from 1960
