The way I recall it, Butch was part of the Duke K “Hawaiian Nollrider” team. So, any board
with the names Kahanamoku and Van Artsdalen were probably done at the Noll factory, not by the outfit that built the Duke popouts.
I also recall that story about Butch and Pat Curren, I’m pretty sure it was one of the anecdotes written by Hollinger in his “Jerk Homilies” for TSJ.
I’ve always considered Jock Sutherland to be Butch’s rightful heir, so to speak. He also was a master at Pipe, and could ride anything, switchfoot. I’d go so far as to say that Jock built on Butch’s ‘thing’, and took it up a few notches. Sutherland was easily the BEST
One of my favorites placed Butch at Waimea Bay on an insanely big day, admiring one of Pat Curren’s famous rhino chasers. Butch asked if he could take the big wave gun out in the giant surf, figuring Pat would surely say no. The joke was on Buth though, when Curren gave him the nod, forcing the surfing legend to swallow hard, save face and paddle out into the menacing soup.
I have heard that story too, from an old timer in south africa. The version I heard has Butch V.A. riding massive faces with jaw dropping style.
There is a KPBS special called ‘‘Liquid Stage’’ in which Carl recites the Butch/ Curren story, as told to him by Butch. The video is available, and worth getting for your personal library. Very good early clips, and interviews. Especially Woody Brown.
I don’t know anything about that board, but I do remember the great ads the Mirandon brothers (La Jolla Surfboards) had in the 60’s. From the looks of the ads, they made very progressive longboards, many with multiple stringers, and even a swallotail called “Superboard”. It even had a V cut out in the nose outline-wise. And was that a huge stringer down the middle or just a color band!!! Design wise, the logo was brilliant too! This all is flooding back, hey … what ever happen to the Mirandons? How about Sid Madden? Ramsey Jay? Carbonell (sp?), Leedy, Doug Roth (COOL LOGO!!!), Inspiration (East coast),Holmsey (East), Challenger Eastern, Campbell (east), Flying Dutchman (!!! - Murph, Catri???), Where are they now??? Maybe we should start a new thread … And it would beat a volatile political or even a what’s-his-nationality thread!
Any info would be greatly appreciated … boy does this bring back memories!!!
ps … didn’t Superboard have TWO fins!!! A bow to Simmons, no doubt! How cool is that? If you were around then, you know it was out of the box thinking for sure! And is that the Bruce McClellan of East Coast fame? We saw you surf in a contest at the Canaveral Pier, you ripped!!! Thanks for the look back …
That’s amazing about Doug, like I said where are they now/ what happened to them? A lot of these guys didn’t get the press they deserved … How about Petrillo? Allen? Wise? Russell? Tomb & Reeves (Fla.)? and a ton more … there were a LOT of great craftsmen back then, just like today …Del Cannon (RIP) was one that springs to mind (that wasn’t super famous) … Is Bob “Ole” Olson still with us? How about Felker? Roberts? … and the Eckstroms, who’s still shaping that’s left???
Ole? Heck yeah. Just saw him at his namesake Longboard Classic last Saturday at Launiupoko. 78 years old, still shaping, came in 4th in the Over 60 division. Good as ever…
Benny - thanks! Another inspirational guy - I hope I have Bob’s longevity - shaping, surfing, AND lifewise!!! By the way, isn’t Inter-Island still going too?
Mike - Thanks! I wish we could’ve met before I moved from North Brevard to Norcal … you seem like a straight up guy. And I’m sure I could’ve picked your brain about shaping …
I knew about Murph from Balsa Bill and George Robinson (AMAZING balsa work guys!!!), their prison work is Inspirational (no pun intended). Good guys on top of it all.
I knew about Dick, I grew up surfing at the boardwalk, and we used to hang at Shaggs - they’d usually kick us out, we were rowdy pre-teens. He was the Clark rep for a time there too. Before Shaggs was on the scene, I had the pleasure of going to The old Surfboards Hawaii shop in Cocoa Beach a few times. Dick would be there, Tabeling, Sharpe, maybe even Gornto … before that my first surf shop experience was O’Hare. Still talk to Sean, man what a great crew Pat has! And I still have the best longboard I’ve ever owned shaped by Pat.
George Panton made me the best short board that I ever rode (mid 70’s), it was a 6’6" round pin single fin, single wing. It RIPPED!!! My best friend at the time had a 6’4" that was equally as smoking! We touted ourselves as the Inspiration Surf Team (unbeknownst to George). The girls ate it up … just like Broadway Joe used to say; “…just trying to get by …” But I digress, thanks again - sorry if my reply was a bit long winded …
