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Introduction
A two page advertisement for 1965 range of Midget Farrelly Surf-skates, or skateboards.
The photographs were shot at Pittwater, on the northern beaches behind the Palm Beach peninsular.
One member of the competition team, Carl Gonvales, was probably related to the local boat building family whose boat shed became Midget's first factory in the late 1960s.

Originally constructed by fitting roller-skate wheels to a piece of timber in the 1950s, the sport blossomed in the early 1960s in California as a land-based version of surfboard riding.
Led by Hobie Surfboards, many companies produced wooden skateboards fitted with redesigned trucks (suspension) and wheels.
In recognition of the two established styles, down hill slalom or trick riding on flat ground (freestyle), the Farrelly models had unique twin rear base plates with polyester filled wheels.
The Custom model featured a highly finished laminated top, dark stringers in a light wood deck, reminiscent of a multi-stringer surfboard.

After a period of stagnation, the sport was revived dramatically in the early 1970s with the introduction of laminated fibreglass decks, advanced trucks and wide urethane wheels.
A vast improvement for slalom and freestyle, these radical boards saw the rise of vertical performance, initially on the walls of (empty) swimming pools then on specifically constructed ramps.
As vertical performance extended beyond the ramp (the wave face) riders attempted to maximise their time in the air with spectacular jumps.
These skate-boarding styles and manoeuvres were quickly adopted in the 1980s with the popularity of another land-based version of the surfboard, the snowboard.
Surfboard riders only began to successfully replicate the air moves of skateboarders at the turn of the 20th century.

Includes an advertisment for Ampol Surfwax and the centrefold, see below.

Page 3

The all new 1965 range of
"Midget Farrelly"
designed Surf-skates:

Page 4

Bernard Farrelly, World Champion Surfer, Sailor, Surf-skate rider, Designer.

There have been many improvements since we first introduced the original "Midget Farrelly" design Surf-skate in October, 1964.
Stronger axles, hard working polyester filled wheels, improved suspension, harder tops.

We felt there were were still improvements which could be made, and so we asked Bernard Farrelly to develop a range of three new Skateboards to be released early in 1965.
These were to be the Junior model, Competition MK II, and the Custom.
He came up with new ideas which we hove incorporated in the 1965 models which not only give better performance and longer life to the Surfskate, but also result in a much more attractive finished product.

If your local department store, sports store or surf shop does not stock the full range of the 'Midget Farrelly' Surf-skates (most do) please contact the distributor in your State to obtain the name of your nearest stockist.

CUSTOM
The Custom model features the unique twin rear base plates.
This development is a tremendous advance in design as it gives you two Surfskates for the price of one.
With the back wheel in the rear position the wheel base is perfect for slalom or down hill running.
With the rear wheels in the forward position the shorter wheel base and big overhang give you a Surfskate perfectly balanced for flat ground and trick riding.
Spinners, nose-flips, etc., are made easy.
Ofher improvements include highly finished laminated top, chromed castings, harder wheel, etc., etc.
Price: £6/12/3.

With the wheel assembly in the back position the Surf-skate is designed for slalom riding.

With the wheel assembly in the forward position the Surf-skate is balanced for trick riding.

COMPETITION MK II
The Competition Mark II featues all the advanced features of the Custom including the revolutionary twin rear base plates.
Fittings are chromed and the top is highly finished and measures 27 1/2" x 6"
Price: £6/12/3.

JUNIOR
The Junior model is designed especially for the young or inexperienced rider with a solid 22" by 6" top, and heavy duty chromed suspension mechanism.
This model will be popular with all who desire a Surfskate less advanced than the Custom or Competition models.
Price: £4/15/3.

The big, wide track wheels give improved adhesion on all surfaces.

Some members of the 'Midget Farrelly' Competition Team - Kim Nelson, Carl Gonvales, Colin Hawkes, and Glen Short.

The "Midget Farrelly" Competition Team has been seen in action on television, in theatres and doing store demomtrations throughout the Eastern States.
Their amazing ability (it has taken a good deal of practice) has created a sensation wherever they have performed.

The star of the Team is ten year old Chris Johnson from California, a tremendous rider who has been mainly responsible for the advancement of the rest of the Team.
These boys have been responsible for the testing of the new models and without their help it would have taken a lot longer to put the finished product on the market.

AGENTS LIST

SURFING PROMOTIONS PTY. LTD. (N.S.W.)
PO Box 64 AVALON BEACH.

SURFING PROMOTIONS AGENCIES (QUEENSLAND)
5 Surfers Avenue, MERMAID BEACH.

SURFING PROMOTIONS AGENCIES (VICTORIA)
5 Splensley Street, CLIFTON HILL, MELBOURNE.

SURFING PROMOTIONS AGENCIES (SOUTH AUSTRALIA)
94 Gawler Place, ADELAIDE

SURFING PROMOTIONS AGENCIES (WESTERN AUSTRALIA)
PO Box 35, RIVERDALE

SURFING PROMOTIONS AGENCIES (TASMANIA)
P.O. Box 170, SANDY BAY.

Page 8

Ampol Surfboard Wax.

The price is given in shillings and pence,
and a coversion into the new decimal currency,
to be introduced in 1966.

Centrefold
?? : North Narrabeen?

Surfing World
March, 1965.

Cover:
Kevin Platt.

Back-cover:
BMC Morris 850

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