Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with the G&S Skip Frye models from the late '60s. I’m in the process of obtaining a 1967-69 (unsure exactly what vintage) Skip Frye 7’11" with a 23" width. Does someone have any background info on these boards? Thanks to all in advance… Best Regards, John
Hey John, Is the board extremely thick? Down rails? I believe that Skip, influenced by the ideas of Tom Morey, may have developed a design called a “Water Skate”. I also have seen one of Skip’s board from around that era resembling the early “Plastic Machines”(V Bottom) designs from Bob Mctavish & friends. Can’t recall the model name(if any) but I saw it at the Longboard Grotto some time ago for sale. Wide square tail, heavy V bottom…came out of Skip’s experience from his trip with the Windansea Surf Club Down Under. Check the movie, “The Fantastic Plastic Machine” by a guy named Eric Blum. Good luck. Clue me in when you find out more details about the shape. Aloha, Mitch
Hey John,>>> Is the board extremely thick? Down rails? I believe that Skip, influenced > by the ideas of Tom Morey, may have developed a design called a > “Water Skate”. I also have seen one of Skip’s board from around > that era resembling the early “Plastic Machines”(V Bottom) > designs from Bob Mctavish & friends.>>> Can’t recall the model name(if any) but I saw it at the Longboard Grotto > some time ago for sale. Wide square tail, heavy V bottom…came out of > Skip’s experience from his trip with the Windansea Surf Club Down Under. > Check the movie, “The Fantastic Plastic Machine” by a guy named > Eric Blum. Good luck. Clue me in when you find out more details about the > shape.>>> Aloha,>>> Mitch Hi Mitch, Thanks for your response - I actually have a photo of the board (hope this works). As you can see, it’s pretty wide (23 1/4" according to the seller). It also has a square tail, not unlike the wide-tailed vee bottom you were describing. A friend of mine has one of those in the 8’6" length. BEAUTIFUL board! Did you notice the funky inverted v graphic on the deck? I don’t know if that’s supposed to be the outline for a deckpatch (assuming it has one), or is just strictly decorative. Anyway, that’s about as much info as I have so far. Let me know if anything rings a bell to you. Best Regards, John
Hey guys,>>> I was wondering if anyone here is familiar with the G&S Skip Frye > models from the late ‘60s. I’m in the process of obtaining a 1967-69 > (unsure exactly what vintage) Skip Frye 7’11" with a 23" width. > Does someone have any background info on these boards?>>> Thanks to all in advance…>>> Best Regards,>>> John I am guessing it’s a v-bottom shape, and quite likely stringerless.KP has one and it’s pretty bitchin’.Perhaps he will see this and give you more info. I suspect it’s his rendition of the boards encountered while in Oz during Plastic Fantastic.
Hey John, Great photo…unfortunately, it did not show the entire shape of the board. Could not see the tail to properly identify whether its V Bottom design of Skip’s or not. Any info on the bottom contour? The heavy V would give it away. Another thing. What type of fin does it have. Greenough style? Old W.A.V.E. fin set up? Glassed on? Skip was beginning to design for W.A.V.E. and they issued a series of his designs(The “E Free” was one of the specific models which I believe I once had on a board of mine…too short for the design…but we were all experimenting back then!). Skip also issued another design through G & S called a “Hot Curl”(check vintage ads if at all possible) but I think these may pre-date your board. There’s also guy who was a former glasser for G&S who may recall the design you’re interested in. He’s featured in an article in a recent Surfer’s Journal. In fact, they have a photo of two Frye’s from around that era. I’ll try to get the issue date and his name. Have you tried to contact Skip? Good luck, aloha, and blessings! Mitch
Hey John,>>> Great photo…unfortunately, it did not show the entire shape of the > board. Could not see the tail to properly identify whether its V Bottom > design of Skip’s or not. Any info on the bottom contour? The heavy V would > give it away.>>> Another thing. What type of fin does it have. Greenough style? Old > W.A.V.E. fin set up? Glassed on? Skip was beginning to design for W.A.V.E. > and they issued a series of his designs(The “E Free” was one of > the specific models which I believe I once had on a board of mine…too > short for the design…but we were all experimenting back then!).>>> Skip also issued another design through G & S called a “Hot > Curl”(check vintage ads if at all possible) but I think these may > pre-date your board. There’s also guy who was a former glasser for G&S > who may recall the design you’re interested in. He’s featured in an > article in a recent Surfer’s Journal. In fact, they have a photo of two > Frye’s from around that era. I’ll try to get the issue date and his name. > Have you tried to contact Skip? Good luck, aloha, and blessings!>>> Mitch Mitch, Sorry, had some technical difficulties with this post the first time around… Here is a shot of the bottom I just obtained today. I also believe this board has a WAVEset fin. From the pic, it looks like there may be some slight vee in the tail. Tell you one thing - the mother is w-i-d-e. I think it looks more like 24" than 23 1/4" @ the middle. Let me know if this helps jog your memory. Thanks for your input so far. I need to find out Skip’s email address so I can contact him about it, actually. Thanks again, John P.S. - Thanks also to Matt for his input, as well…
Hey John, You may want to contact Pat Magee’s Surf Shop in Texas. Big collector…he’s got a website(www.technidata.com) I believe but it doesn’t show pictures from what I gather. He was advertisng an older Skip Frye shape. Longer than your - but shapers play with dimensions as we all know. Plus its a pintail. Checked out another site - www.surfguyssurf.com which advertised a 1966 8’6" G&S Skip Frye Noserider. Again…no pix and unfortunately, it was sold! Seller wanted $750 for it! Don’t know if Skip has a specific website. His shop, along with his “partner in foam”, was closed by developers. Its relocated somewhere in Pacific Beach. I’ll try to get a ph# or stuff for you if I can. Mitch