Surf History: Agatha Christie rides the waves 1922
added to the website on Jul 27, 2011
Acclaimed crime writer Agatha Christie spent her teenage years on the south coast of England around Torquay where sea bathing was a common practice in the early 1900s – but in 1922 she would become one of Britain’s earliest “stand-up” surfers. “In fact, on a rough day I enjoyed the sea even more,” she said. ……»
Surf History: Lewis Rosenberg – standing proud c1929
added to the website on Jun 30, 2011
Around 1929 Lewis Rosenberg and a group of friends saw a newsreel showing Australians surfing standing up on their surfboards – it was a moment of inspiration that changed their lives. This close-knit group of Jewish immigrants, who lived in London, had been riding their four-foot long wooden bodyboards on British beaches for some time. ……»
News: 8th World Bellyboard Champion crowned
added to the website on Sep 06, 2010
The skies may have been leaden, the rain driving, but the main ingredients of pumping waves and stoked competitors kept the chill at bay and delivered a truly wonderful & typically British seaside day of surf and smiles. Jack Johns wowed the crowd with his accomplished ply riding to be crowned 8th World Bellyboard Champion ……»
Events: The Magnificent Severn
added to the website on Aug 25, 2010
When Lieutenant Colonel ‘Mad Jack’ Churchill slipped his handmade 14 foot surfboard into the River Severn in Gloucestershire in 1955 he set surfers on a unique path, and the effects of his extraordinary feat continue to ripple out around the world today. Already a surfer, he had spotted the phenomenon of the tidal bore – ……»
Surf History: The Australian 1928
added to the website on Aug 13, 2010
In 1928 Australian champion surfer & swimmer Charles ‘Snow’ McAllister gave a demonstration of surfing in England on his way home from the Olympics in Amsterdam where he’d been competing. Although people had been surfing in Britain for a while, it had mostly been done prone on short wooden surfboards – but our brother from ……»
Print: The Art of Surf Riding 1934
added to the website on Jul 16, 2010
Written by Ronald S. Funnell in 1934 and reprinted in 1953, this is believed to be the first instructional surfing book published in Britain. It included tips on how and where to surf and beach safety. Funnell was also responsible for the Crest wooden surfboards produced in the 1930s.
Photographs: Pip Staffieri 1937
added to the website on Jun 01, 2010
Pip Staffieri was a diminutive ice cream seller who lived in Newquay, Cornwall before World War 2. He made his own 13 foot hollow wooden surfboard in the late 1930s after seeing a photo in an encyclopedia. Pip would wheel it down to the waters edge on an old pram that he cut in half. ……»
Wetsuits: Homemade wetsuit 1970
added to the website on May 26, 2010
This wonderful ‘beaver tail’ wetsuit jacket was homemade around 1970, and it was donated along with wetsuit trousers, spare material, the original suppliers’ brochure and full patterns for how to make it! The yellow tape covering the seams is there to try to help keep the chilly British sea water out. The first commercial surfing ……»
Surfboards: Surfboards by Bruce Palmer 1979
added to the website on May 25, 2010
Discovered looking in a sorry state from its original owner in Blackpool, a quick clean and polish revealed this gem of a twin fin fish shaped by Bruce Palmer in Croyde, North Devon around 1979. It’s understood it was bought new, ridden once, then mothballed – it had a tiny ding on the tail, otherwise ……»