surfresearch.com.au
 |
surfresearch.com.au
surfabout :
manfacturers,
1963
|
Surfabout
Magazine
: Manufacturers Index, 1963.
Jack Eden
: Manufacturers
Index.
Surfabout
Volume 1 Number 5, 1963.
Introduction.
An overview of
the
major surfboard manufacturers in Australia in 1963, but note
that all are
noted to have taken advertising in the magazine.
Not reproduced:
The two page
spread
was surrounded by the various company decals (those with an
address are
added in italics) and each entry had a portrait photograph of
the manufacturer.
Page 16
BARRY
BENNET has
been in the board building business for more than 12 years.
He opened a
modern
factory at Brookvale, N.S.W., being the first expressly
built for surfboard
production.
In the early
50's, Barry's racing boards (hollow plywoodtypes) were
paddled to victory
in four National Championships and several other premier
State Titles.
This year,
Barry
spent some time in California shaping boards for Hobie Alter
and Hansen
Surfboards.
Here, many
finer
points were learnt.
Barry also
has
the sole franchise for importing Polytron water-based foam.
JACKSON and
CANSDELL
are specialists in the manufacture of the famous "hot dog"
board.
Their
reputation
as custom builders has stretched to many of the southern
beaches as far
as Wollongong, where they have found it necessary to open a
new factory
at 426 Princes Highway, Corrimal.
The Jackson
and
Cansdell team use American foam and glass.
Their custom
boards are double glassed and have double lapped rails.
The
partnership
revolves around Ron Cansdell as shaper and Brian Jackson as
finisher.
"We feel we
have
a complete understanding of the custom board."
59
The
Boulevade Caringbah NSW Australia
GREG McDONAGH
has
been in the surfboard business since the early 1950's.
He actually
pioneered
Polyfoam in Australia and was the first to mould foam blanks
for use in
board building.
Today, he
operates
from his modern Surf Shop located at Brookvale, which stocks
everythfng
from surfing accessories to ski gear.
The McDonagh
custom board is double glassed and features double lapped
rails.
Fibreglass and
foam are imported from U.S.A.
Attention to
detail and strict quality control over material and process of
manufacture.
Also featuring
pressed moulded fibre glassed fins.
NORM CASEY
began
manufacturing surfboards in 1949.
In August,
1962,
he opened a modern shop and factory at Rockdale, Sydney.
The factory,
operated on proven American methods, houses some of the most
up-to-date
equipment in the industry.
Norm once
remarked:
"I've realised the vital need of carrying out constant
research on the
flexibility of new materials."
This is why
Norm
contends that he has developed the highest strength to weight
ratio of
any custom board on the Australian market.
625
Princes
Hwy. Rockdale Sydney Australia 59-2472
DANNY KEYO is
one of Australia's top custom board manufacturers.
By no means a
newcomer, he has been an active exponent of the industry for
many years.
One of his top
shapers is "Midget" Farrelly, the International Surfing Title-
holder.
Danny believes
that his brand is one of the finest on the market.
Danny has made
it a policy to only turn out custom boords.
He favours
Trevarno
gloss and the American Polytron water base foam.
Each board has
double-lopped sides.
19
Sydenham
Road Brookvale XF 1699
JOHN RHODES is
perhaps
the youngest board manufacture to join the ranks.
His shop is
located
in Croydon Street, Cronulla.
John has
managed
to produce a board without resorting to the usual gimmicks of
the trade
to draw attention to his board.
He specialises
in craftsmen-built custom boards only.
All American
materials are used including the flat weave American gloss and
a new resin
which gives an "all white" effect.
"I insist on
making a clear board with a minimum amount of colour,"
remarked John.
Page 17
DALE
SURFBOARDS,
designed and produced by Les Patterson and Dave Passenger
have been popular
in surfing circles since their introduction 2 years ogo.
As in all
custom
shops, the Dale firm can build a board to any specification
or design.
Dale boards
are
noted for their craftsmanship.
"This lis
mainly
due to the result of years of study in developing the design
and shape
of the modern
surfboard,"
said
one of the partners.
Les and Dave
are proud of their brand and are conscious of the fast
expanding export
market.
236
Harbord
Road Brookvale Sydney
GRAHAM KING is
a
fast rising newcomer to the custom board field.
He has been
making custom
boards since mid 1961, and has lately moved into a modern
facilitated factory
and surf shop ("South Side Surf Shop") located at 575 Princes
Highway,
Kirrawee.
Graham's
standard
boards feature a three-quarter maple or redwood stringer, two
layers af
10 oz.
glass on both
sides and a polytron foam and fibreglass fin.
"My boards
appeal
to the beginner surfer and the veteran alike," said Graham.
575
Princes
Highway, Kirrawee 521-1078
BILL WALLACE
was
one of Australia's first board builders.
When he first
started out, Bill produced the hollow plywood paddle boards.
He was later
influenced by the demonstration of the malibu board given here
in 1956
by Americans Greg Noll and Tom Zahn.
Since then he
has adapted himself to modern surfboard design and
construction.
Today, his
custom
boards are a familar sight on the key northern and southern
beaches.
Bill prefers
to use all American materials because of their predicability,
he said.
He now
operates
from Brookvale.
129-131
McPherson
Street Bronte, NSW Phone FW 3690
SCOTT DILLON
is one
of the pioneers of the Australian custom board industry.
In a matter of
years he has established a reputation as a top-ranking custom
builder.
His factory is
located at Brookvale, but, however, a projected expansion
programme still
in the planning stages is expected to be finalised sometime
next year.
Scott, one of
Australia's best known big sea riders, can shape any type of
board specified
by his customers.
Scott prefers
to use the American Polytron polyester foam base.
41
Winbourne
Road Brookvale NSW Tel 934303
JOE LARKIN has
the
distinction of being the only recognised custom board builder
in Queensland.
Before moving to Queensland 2 years ago, Joe learnt his trade
making the
hollow (plywood type) paddle board and then graduated to
shaping malibu
boards for two of Sydney's leading custom builders.
In fact, Joe
informs us that he acquired his first board at nine and shaped
his own
board at 15 and "I've been building surfboards ever since".
Joe uses
American
foam and double glass on his boards.
His factory is
at Miles Street, Kirra, Queensland.
GORDON WOODS
was one of the first custom surfboard builders in Australia.
Gordon
maintains
that "the key to successful board building is the consistent
employment
of quality materials and the pursuit for better ones".
This is why
Gordon
Woods uses Volan treated glass, and more recently, CO2 water
blown foam.
Gordon
considers
shaping the most important phase of custom surfboard
construction which
entails full depth stringers, doubled up sides and standard
fibre glass
fin.
Gordon has
sole
franchise for John Kelly hydroplane boards.
Extra
|
Centrefold: Cronulla
Point
Surfabout
Volume 2 Number 10.
1964. |
|
Surfabout
Volume 1 Number 5.
1963.
|
surfresearch.com.au
Geoff Cater (2010-2020) :
Surfabout
: Manufacturers Index, 1963.
http://www.surfresearch.com.au/1963_Surfabout_Manufacturers_V1n5.html