How’s this?
Malibu 1964
Bum buddys Hobie, eh, he was smaller
8-6
just too squirrelly.
if I had only known.
Anywho
Had no choice
it really was learn again.
Once you had it wired
well, surfing became a new world.
And we would “let our minds run”.
Great times!
Great observations Matt. Sounds to me like you were aware of a certain specialness while it was happening, which is a pretty great awareness to have.
For sure one of the major aspects of this time that intrigues me is the relationship with the larger 60s human potential movement. The changes in surfboard building and surfing itself are like a direct application of it.
I’m not for glorifying the past or plain nostalgia in this line of inquiry. Along with the fun and privilige of hearing “history” from those who lived it, I am really curious about open-mindedness and creativity in general. And certainly the “appreciation of the present” that I see in Matt’s writing. Until something better comes along, these are the good old days. Right now. No doubt.
I went from a 9’8" Harbour Cheater to an 8’4 Hobie “Corky Carroll Mini Model” (1968). First time I paddled out on it I kept stepping off the tail.
Next was a big reduction to a 6’9" Morey Pope Sopwith Camel (1969). The most common and popular boards that year were the Weber Ski and G and S Magic. Most were in the 7’2" -7’8" range. All my friends said that my 6’9" was way too short. The following year, damn near everyone I knew was struggling on baords under 6’. We came to our senses eventually and by '73 I had a 6’8". This was after a two year setback with a 5’8" Weber Pig. Worst POS I ever owned.
Late 1968 Self shaped 7’3” x 20” Diamond tail , just came off the top ready to go again .
My friend Brian on a down rail board I made late 1968 again . Kenny Tilton was the influence on this one .
Well you dropped a good name in “Kenny Tilton”. The real shaper behind the scenes at Jacobs. Some of the best musicians on the West Coast are in Hawaii, but they can’t stay away from the Islands long enough to be “Big Time”
No name dropping , just credit and fact .
Kenny was the first I saw make a full downrail board .
Thread related .
? 1st down rail?
Morey Pope John Peck “Penetrator”
G&S Hynson/Frye “Stretch”
And prior to that
Gard Chapin
That’s all I am aware of
Seems I have pissed everyone off here .
Downrail boards have Downrail nose to tail .
Hope you , Surffoils etc. continue to " Win" as that seems to be the point here .
Have a great day .
What we call a ‘‘soft low rail’’ today, was normal on 1957 and 1958 Velzy&Jacobs balsa boards. Perhaps even a bit earlier.
There were many advanced designs 5-10 years before this “transition” era , you saw them - touched them and most likely were enhanced by them .
These Design forums are very flawed .
Tomorrow like everyday I will make more customers happy with something that is not available from anyone else .
That keeps me going thru all this negative crud . :-)
Have a great day .
“Something that is not available from anyone else.”
Much love, (aloha nui) Greg,
Words so damn true!
My lessons in design have humbled me over and over
until I am convinced that
There is always someone before.
Maybe an ancient Polynesian with a lava rock…
IMHO down rails where Not a baby step
But the turning point of the transition to the next step.
With of course gave birth to the tucked edge, etc.
Down rails? First down railer I saw was the hollow kook box from Popular Machanics. 1935?
but Surfifty, it was a hard uprailer too
It all depends on how you look at it. One mans ceiling…
started ou tthe old way-swim, bodysurf, raft then board. tom hale was the main man in ventucky then. my main mentor was mike smith. i recall the day he showed up at our beach with his first “short board” and 8 foot tom hale v-bottom. witnessed a couple wipe outs on his first go out. later on it was my turn. i then understood why …
Hey Greg not sure what this means, or why Surfoils is being called out on this thread? Mattwho and Surfoils bring a lot of stoke to this forum, always sharing something interesting, posting pics, etc.
[quote=“$1”]
Funny deal…
I don’t see a post on this tread from Surffoils…
I assure you that other than my passed moniker of Olphart
I have no other screen name
roughly Makaio owai in Hawaiian
only in the Islands do they call me by my other Hawaiian name.
Fu*k!ng haol·e
God bless Ole
Thru Pm’s you understand .
I will post customer happiness in what I make .
Not 1 response on the Fin Design thread to what I posted lets me know not to waste my time talking design .
Ah, I see now, said the blind man to his deaf wife. There is an entire section for fin design in the archives - and no one posts anything since 2012! People share / discuss when they feel inclined, and don’t when they don’t. Forums are funny that way.