‘Stand up’ comedy – “Fudd” fixes your board within thirty minutes!

<< Surfabout Magazine, 1962-1968.
 

Remember when …

The day it all happened 

The bombora episode happened when I was editor of Surfabout magazine in 1963. Surfabout was the only magazine to have the story. It was also my first sighting of Scott Dillon. He was definably brilliant. We did a spread called Bare Island Bares its Teeth, and it was a run-away success. Everybody was talking about it. I said in the article: “At last, the spell is broken, as Scott Dillon moves off on the first “heavy” ever ridden at Bare Island.” The Sun newspaper, Sydney, ran with their article. – FM.

Malibu board a hit

The 1950s! This was certainly a memorable period for board surfing in Australia. In 1956, 68 years ago, the Melbourne Olympic Games and the American swimming team were part of it. But before they went there, they introduced Australia to the Malibu board at Manly Beach, Sydney. “Up to that time,” according to a spokesperson, “surfboards were built with internal ribs and clad in plywood.” These were boards not nearly as manoeuvrable as the new fibreglass Malibu board. The Malibu board or longboard, as it’s called today, was an instant hit; and it was ridden by a group of American swimmers – FM.

Surf Simply's Surfboard Icons: Episode 3 Nat Young's Magic Sam 1966