The good thing about old surfing stuff is that most people put hardly any value on it. Its not unknown for decent boards to be sold at car boot sales for £5 - £10 because they are 'out dated' , dinged or just plain dirty. So if youre there at the right time and place you can score a good find. Boards are still being taken to the tip too - some incredibly rare and important.
This Tiki was a recent buy off ebay - not the easiest place to get a bargain , but it does happen. This one was £75 buy it now, so i went for it, partly because the shape looked pretty interesting, and also because it was a looker . Ive always been a sucker for a nice green tint, and the airbrushing and parrot logo are classic too.
The seller said he got it in Wales in 1969, which would make it a very progressive board for the time. It has no clumsy s-deck which is a big bonus ; its light, thin and wide and looks a blast so Im looking forward to taking it out. The fin is definitely late 60s/ 1970 era , one of those Australian made slotted finboxes - copied from Waveset fins made in the US from around 1968. The build quality of the board is really beautiful ,and its still in great condition. No shapers name though. Dimensions are 6'8 x 22 x 2 1/4.
Wave Eater 1 logo
Waveset adjustable fin
Funny little decal of a long nosed surfer about to get eaten . Ring any bells ?
Tiki factory, early 70s
1972 ad
Tiki Surf shop 1975
Simon emailed me photos of a recent bargain - this early Gul wetsuit in amazingly good condition. I doubt if its even been worn and its a proper museum piece.-
''It cost me £20 in an antiques shop in Dorchester today and the girl I paid just said "it's a bit cold to wear that at the moment" I said nothing and just grinned from ear to ear! What a find! I'm still grinning :-))''
Gul used this logo from the late 60s to the early 70s, and this suit is likely to be from c.1971/2. Interesting red areas on the legs to try to prevent knee wear . The suit looks pretty well made and well though out; and I bet it was quite warm too. Thanks to Simon for the photos
1972
One of Gul's earliest beaver tail suits
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