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Timeline Of Surfboards
The timeline is set up to show the evolution of the surfboard and surfboard design from the oldest solid timber boards to the super lightweight weapons of today. Who knows where it will all end, but hopefully this site can evolve with the new innovations to come.
Collections
The contributors to this page are a like-minded group who have a passion for not only vintage surfboards and all things surfing related. I have been amazed by some of these collections and their personal favorites. I could say without these passionate collectors a majority of our surfing history would be in a garbage tip and crushed into oblivion.
I have spent many hours pulling old surfboards out from under houses, up in roof spaces and everywhere else you could think of. My idea is to collect digital images of as many of these boards and memorabilia as possible to add to this site, the payback to the collector is they receive a digital library of their collection that they can use to peruse their collection at any time, without having to crawl under the house to look at them.
Stories & Memories
These stories and memories are a part of history & need to be written down to capture the memories and the feelings that have made us who we are. It is imperative to attempt to conjure up the euphoria that we all felt when finding a new surf spot in the middle of nowhere, which is now probably built out with high-rise units. Imagine if we had a written story from the Pharaohs in Egypt or a written history of our indigenous people all over the world!
Just write it down as you remember it & we will do the rest!!!!! Please. Send to rob@museumofsurf.com
Surfing is an art form! Carving trails on a wall of glass!
Surf Art
This page is dedicated to the extremely talented artists, that preserve our memories with art. As a surfer, I look at these artworks and it jogs long-forgotten memories of the early years of surfing or with the modern artist today’s aerial assault. Surfing evolution from the laidback lifestyle of our pioneers to today’s frantic battle in crowded waves.
Events
The events page is mostly a photographic compilation of events I was invited to take some photos, I will add that I am not a professional photographer, but I do enjoy photography and all my images are free to use by the people in the image. I cannot give permission for others to use these images without the permission of the subject.
Photography
The photography page is a collection of images some that have never been seen by the public and others that have graced the covers of the most popular surf magazines. The Ric Chan images have a story behind them. Ric lost these images years ago when he moved house and forgot all about them until a friend found them behind the seat in a car at a motor wreckers.
I must give many thanks to those that have donated their image to the museum so that we can share with the world.
Masters Of The Craft
The masters of the craft page is dedicated to the people behind the scenes that have spent their lives manufacturing surfboards and surf craft.
Most surfers know the name of the manufacturer and the shaper of their boards, but the glassers, sanders, polishers, are a highly talented group are often unknown. One such person is Bill McLean, who started glassing boards around 1968 and I was lucky enough to work with Bill who is a perfectionist and good bloke as well. Bill is still laminating boards at McTavish’s factory in Byron Bay NSW.
Another great shaper that has never had the recognition he deserves is Gordon (Gordo) Knight. Gordo and I worked together at Shane’s in the late 60’s and he has been a driving force behind so many labels. Gordo is now retired but his brother Jack is still making boards on the Gold Coast.
John Harris is another guy that is well known but and still making boards, his story is in the Masters section.
There are over 21,000 images on this site so please be patient when viewing as it can take some time to load. I hope you enjoyed the museum. Aloha Rob
Museumofsurf.com
