Introduction

Extracts from two issues of of a rare, and short lived, magazine published quarterly in New Zealand, 1965-1966, by:
K.E. Brightwell, 44 Ulster Street, PO Box 1227, Hamilton, NZ.
The editor was the publisher, Kevin Brightwell, and the staff photographer was Bob Comer.
South of Auckland, on the North Island, Hamilton is the largest town close to famed Raglan Point on the west coast.

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New Zealand Surfer Volume 1 Number 1, April 1965.
Page 6

Contest Preview ... land, Rodney Davidson and Peter Way should be to the fore. John McDermott, last year's New Zealand champion and third in the open, will obviously take some beating. "Hermes" (as he is known to most surfers) performs well in all size waves and under most conditions. His style is basic, inclined to be a little flashy, but in all, perfect for competition riding. Upsets can be caused, however, and we feel the riders mentioned earlier will be right up there with him to make these the best championships ever. Bob Steel who was 2nd place-getter in the '64 resident champs. The possibility of a bigger surf at Fitzroy than at the Mount is almost assured, and this could bring the big wave riders into the picture. If these conditions prevail the members of the Point Board-riders Club should excel, having been used to conditions and surf of the West Coast. Big waves also bring to mind Peter Way, of Auckland, who always performs so well on big days at the Point on his Way (out) board. He will be a threat under these conditions. And so to the juniors, those versatile youngsters who obviously outride many seniors in small surf. Parkes and Allison, of Auckland, and Brynes, of Gisbome, seem to the the main contestants, although our Gisborne correspondent reports that there are many juniors from there hot on his tail and some could cause surprises. Among the ladies it seems that Cindy Webb, of Hamilton, will have to fight hard to retain her title. Jackie Mitchell and Michelle Manly, of Auckland, have apparently improved a great deal and are cracking waves with consummate ease. The Patti girls, from Gisborne, appear to be the top contenders, however, as young Gail proved when she was placed first in a club meet at the Mount. All in all, the girls' championship should attract a large field (not of men either). We of the New Zealand Surfer, in finalising this preview, wish all contestants good luck and the best of surfing at the championships in April. Alan Brynes at the Mount inter-club championships.

Page 7

"Custom-built" by Atlas-Woods means there is no other board like yours. Write today for free price list and order form, and the name of our nearest stockist or agent to: ALLAN G. MITCHELL (N.z.) LTD 1 EMILY PLACE  AUCKLAND NEW ZEAIAND P.O. Box 2257   •   Telephone 22-946

Ordering a custom surfboard is like buying a tailor-made suit. It is made for you and you alone, to raft your retirements, and will probably suit only yourself. Basically your custom board will look the tame as thousands of others — but it is made to your own refinements of detail, it is different — like no other board. John McDermott (for the past two years N.Z. Champion and N.Z. rep. at the Manly World Championships, 1964), probably the most experienced "Shaper" in New Zealand today, will shape your board from rock-hard, non-swelling, non-discolouring American foam. The stringer, air-dried redwood or balsa, will be incorporated in your board, as your order, to give even greater strength to the foam. Only Trevano Fibre Glass will be used — we sheath your board in a double layer, giving the greatest weight to strength ratio possible. The Skeg, either solid glass in almost any colour and shape, or laminated wood covered with fibre glass, will be "welded" on your board with a liberal covering of fibre glass. Pigmented Colours, which will not fade will be added to your choice and design. Extras include laminated tail and nose blocks, extra stringers, tunnel fins, and special shapes, i.e. "Big Guns". When you think about a new board, an Atlas-Woods custom board will cost you more, you will have to wait 2 or 3 weeks for delivery, but you will get exactly what you want.

Page 21.

Back Cover. Kahuna Surfboards By Frank Wilkin Auckland, New Zealand. Priced from 9'-3" $35 (pounds) Rider weight up to 11 stone 9'-4" $38 Rider weight up to 16 stone Kit sets $23/15/- and $25/15/- respectively. New Zealand Distributors: Sportex Co. (NZ) Ltd., New Zealand.

New Zealand Surfer Volume 1 Number 5 , ?? 1966.
Page 29

We hear that top Australian surfer and shaper, Bob McTavish, has come over from Queensland to shape for Bob Davie in Gisborne. Bob McTavish is also well known for his articles in the "Surfing World"  magazine. We will perhaps try to get him to write a few words for us. Glad to hear that at last there are no longer any "pop out" boards on the market, and that everyone has turned to "custom built" boards. It is good to know that now every­one is getting value for their money. There doesn't appear to be much news from the South Island, except that we hear Ron Roman has joined John McDermott in Christchurch. Someone was saying that "Py" and his 40 Thieves are now enjoying the sun and surf of Queensland, after tak­ing the Kiwi surfers and "feds' for a ride!   We hope to see more movies like "The Endless Summer". Its circuit of the theatres has done much to raise the surf­ing image in the eyes of the general public.   Now Zealand's top woman surfer Cindy Webb is now on the staff of "SURF' Magazine. With Clndy"s knowledge and ability we can expect a better magazine. If new clubs keep springing up around the country at the present rate, there will soon be more clubs than surfers! The ambitious "Dave" Wal-Raffle Plan" fell through from lack of support. Too bad. But it may be wiser to wait until our standard of surfing improves, before sending any number of surfers overseas to compete. Custom-board builder Peter Way (Grandad), got "roped" recently and took off to Aus­tralia to work for Scott Dillon. We are told that Peter is coming back later and will start a new shop of his own here. East Coast beaches in the northern half of the North lsand, were battered by a storm surf from the hurricane which recently hit the Samoan Islands. From Waipu, Ohope, Whangamata, Waihi, and Mount Maunganui, we have heard that the surf was spectacular. The Whangamata Bar would have been one of the few places that was rideable in the huge surf. It was up to ten feet during one weekend and we saw some terrific rides. Two days later it was bigger still. Fifteen-foot waves were re­ported to be breaking around the back of the headland and the white water was rolling and crashing on to the normal take-off area. Help!! Needless to say, no one surfed it! Well-known New Zealander Steve King is back from about nine months in Australia, where he appears to have had some great surfs. He and our Aussie friend Geoff (Tomo) Thompson have visited some terrific spots with boards and tele-lens. We are interested to note the new New Zealand Associa­tion ruling that all club mem­bers must do a test swim to prove their ability in the water, and must also educate themselves in rescue involv­ing a surfboard and in re­suscitation techniques. Some clubs have already held these tests and instructional meetings. The much-talked about surfer Bob Cooper has arrived In New Zealand. His scholarly look and fantastic surfing ability will make him an unusual visitor.

McTavish Cindy Webb Steve King

Page A

Ted Davidson's Marine Sports 18 Marsh Street, Tauranga. Wisemans Queen Street, Auckland.

Page B

Paddy Perkinson rides Lyall Bay during the Wellington Surfing Club's winter contest.

Hank Hunter trims across a small wave at Lyall Bay. Mid winter and no wetsuit - ugh!

Russell Hughes is on the nose for maximum speed but this Whangamata curl has almost caught up with him.

Page C

Introducing The Contender Model The "Contender Model" is a high performance surfboard designed and shaped by ROGER LAND for the new breed of competitive surfer in New Zealand today. The "Contender" incorporates three important features: SHAPE: Buoyant, but with fine rails for speed and manoeuvre-ability, plus a full nose for maximum nose-riding. DURABILITY: 40 oz. of Fibreglass around the rails, laminated with "Polyflex" Polyester resin exclusive to ROGER LAND SURFBOARDS. 60 per cent more ding proof. APPEARANCE: Distinctive central three-stringer pattern, clear finish or full colour.

Top Auckland surfer "Taff" Kennings testing  a "Contender" prototype. Rodger Land Custom Surfboards Factory and Showroom Cambridge Road Hamilton Box 1162, Phone 67-133

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