** good one bro **
cheers huie
good story jim got some more
mybe we can get the fox to add to it
cheers huie
A true surfing Super-Hero! And someone I truly admire.
I’m stoked, that was my first contest, I had Hemmings in my first and only heat and it was a really big deal in Hawaii when Midget won, the surf was considerably bigger than head high. 4 years later I would be at Rincon when Bob McTavish first surfed his V bottom in the US, it’s nice to have had a front row seat to some of surfings mile stones.
21 years after Midgets Makaha victory, there was another midget at Makaha, this time it was 11 year old Kelly Slater, I was sitting as a judge at the venerated event as Kelly took first place as a Menehune
…would dearly love to see Midget shape another genuine “makaha” board…just one
I’ve always had much respect for the pioneers, who as they say, “Busted down the doors”, contest rules were so different back then, as many as possible take off anywhere and infront of whom ever they felt like and in Hawaii, this turned into a Roller Derby fuck block for many a contestant.
You not only had to surf well, but totally out surf the field to stand out enough to be declared the winner, look at Nat’s display at Oceanbeach, no doubt he won. The start of the total involvement movement began with Midget’s win at Makaha
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/20100429+cover_0.jpg
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/20100429+09-1.jpg
A couple of related items, following Jim P’s post.
World Contest program. San Diego '66…and the other half of that Morey Pope ad.
One more. 1964 World Contest . Midget on the winner’s podium, Manly Beach, Aus. 1964.
Mike Doyle (l) second place, Joey Cabell (r) third place.
Remember seeing Midget surf at the Easter Contest in FL back in the mid 60’s and then again at the World Contest in PR. Guy was legend. Oz owes him still. He made you guys believe in yourselves.
Thank God for Midget!
Already a legend when I started (63) Hope to just surf at his age. The mother rips! Say Farrley to me and it’s thanks the blanks. The revolutionary Midget Farrley stringerless G&S board. Nat and Sam set the world thinking in San Diego, CA in 1966 (eh somebody set me straight was SAM a Keyo or Gordon Woods???) Anyway McTavivsh shows up on the West coast and we are hunting and hoarding these stringerless long board blanks. The revolution was on! Midget, Nat and Bob! Thanks Mates, and Mr. Anderson…
Aloha
Gordon Woods 9’4" x 22 x 2-1/2" thick
Looks like a pig outline.
haaa’’ trust me greg there were quite a few around who believed in them self
cheers huie
I went over to midgets showroom a while ago and he had produced a beautiful series of guns ranging from 8’6" to 10’7", man if I could get my hands on one of them, all single fins made for big water, sweet as.
heres midget riding a hull right of the back foot to’’ haaaa’’ cheers huie[img_assist|nid=1052245|title=sweep|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=427]
nice. real waterman
The question is though, did he leave behind another legacy in Hawaii, maybe at the after party (the 30 year reunion after party)?? Striking resembalance and both masters of the surfboard in their own time wouldn’t you say???
Righto, just kidding Huie. Midget, eternal legend!! Still surfs Manly from time to time, makes the best foam in the world and rips on a SUP too (so what, everyones got dirty secrets).
Another google image with both going on at the same time.
So the surf lifesaving boats derived from whaling boats? Talk about water men, the guys probably couldn’t swim in the 1800’s? and they’re out there hand spearing whales in those things? Hardcore!! What about being rescued in one in 6ft surf??!! no thanks haha
Forget occupational health & saftey or public liability insurance- riding these boats in big waves requires equal parts strength, skill and insanity -
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/surfing-maroubra-beach-sydney-australia/query/surfing
Bill Clymer, who was a renowned surfboat man, surfboat & surfboard builder, in a 1996 interview said the Australian surfboat was modelled after 18’ Norweigan lifesaving boats. Frances Harpur who interviewed Bill Clymer also interviewed Midget. For the price of an interlibrary loan, you can hear Midget tell his story in his own words.
Bob
