In 2011 WA surf industry pioneer Len Dibben (now age 82) travelled to Hawaii to attend a Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction. While there he had a surf at Waikiki and attended other social functions. In Hawaii he was treated like surf royalty and had the time of his life.
This is Len’s story. The holiday snaps are Len’s unless stated otherwise.
This trip eventuated at the insistence of Australian veteran surf photographer and filmmaker Dick Hoole. Dick is famous for 70-80s surf films like Tubular Swells and Storm Riders directed with David Lourie and Jack McCoy. I was his agent in WA in the late 80s-90 & 2000 for his Videos & DVD’s. Dick had been trying to get me to go to Hawaii for the last 3-4 surf auctions which are held every two years. Dick & his mate David ‘the Mex’ Sumpter with Bruce Little (Surf shop owner Anglesea Victoria) have been to all of Randy Rarick’s surf auctions to promote & sell their wares.
Perth WA to Sydney NSW
I left Perth Domestic Airport in the afternoon of Monday 18th of July 2011 and boarded a Qantas direct flight to Sydney International Airport to connect with Hawaiian Airlines. It was sad saying goodbye to Wendy & leaving her home to look after the fort This was the first time I have ever ventured overseas on my own.
On arriving at Hawaiian Airways Departure lounge in Sydney there was Australian surf legend Bob McTavish & Richard Hadley (WA). Richard had been on this trip 2 -3 times acquiring items for his proposed surf museum in Yallingup. Also waiting was Darryl Miller, ‘Von Weido’ to his mates. Darryl has a Vintage & memorabilia shop on the east coast with his mate Tony Morris.
On checking in we found out the flight had been cancelled till next day Tuesday 19 Flight leaving around 5 am. Hawaiian Airlines issued us with meal, hotel & transport vouchers. During the coach ride to the hotel Bob McTavish asked if I would like to share a meal, I said “great”, so after checking in at the hotel we met at the restaurant. During the meal Bob & I chattered about old times & he asked me what I was up to these days, I replied that I was still making longboards. shortboards, retros & all types of surfing craft, doing all the work myself, Bob came back with “Well Len you are the real deal”. I had never thought of it that way before!
Arrive Hawaii
Early the next morning we boarded our Hawaiian Airline in Sydney and arrived at Oahu International Airport at about 9-30pm Hawaiian time. We were all cleared through customs except Bob McTavish. Bob was detained because he had violated USA space back in 1966 without a visa and illegally stayed for about 6 months surfing & working in Hawaii. Bob had been back to Hawaii a few times in the past & had not been detained like this before!
We were met outside the terminal by Ce Ce Hill, Randy Rarick’s pick up lady & public relations person. She transported the four of us to our Waikiki Circle Hotel on Honolulu Drive which is just opposite the Duke Statue near Canoes surf break on Waikiki Beach. The hotel is really a circle shape about 8 stories high, the rooms are around the outside & the lift is in the middle. Really unique!
Image: Waikiki Circle Hotel on Honolulu Drive.
On Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, a 9-foot bronze statue honours Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968) the Hawaiian Olympic swimming champion & father of international surfing.
Image: Night-time shot of Len with Duke Kahanamoku statue on beach front Honolulu.
On the way Ce Ce asked if we wanted to go to Haleiwa for the Henry ‘Hanalei‘ Preece Memorial induction the next day, I said that would be great & I was in the party. The others Darryl, Richard & Tony wanted to go surfing & do some business. Ce Ce after dropping us off had to go back & see if she could get Bob McTavish out of security & pick up Greg Noll & his wife Laura who were coming in on a later flight from California. All this happened around 2 to 3.30 am Hawaiian time.
Hawaii – Henry ‘Hanalei‘ Preece Memorial
Next morning, I arrived at the Beachcomber on time, it was about 150 meters from my hotel, Ce Ce was there would you believe all bright & bushy tailed as though she had not been out to all hours of the morning. She also had to drive home which was about ¾ hour from downtown Honolulu after going through all the dramas the night & morning before. In the five-seater van was Greg & Laura Noll (I had met Greg & Laura some 10 year before at the Noosa Surf festival in Australia), Ray Benner (a long-time friend of the Noll’s). In the next seat was Corky & Raquel Carroll, Lance Carson, Ken Tilton ex shaper for Dale Velzy (Deceased) & Dale’s son Mark Velzy. Also, in the van were David Stanfield TV producer & commentator. Ryan Dotson (1970 designer & surfer shaper), Bob ‘Ole’ Olsen (Surfboard Manufacturer), Aust shaper Bob McTavish & last but not least Andrew Elliott a Qantas Pilot. Andrew was just coming out of the hotel foyer & Ce Ce asked if he would like to be in the party. And here is little Len Dibben from Perth W.A. with all these legends in the coach going to Haleiwa for the day. We all introduced ourselves and by halfway there we were like long lost pals.
We were going to Haleiwa for the commemoration of a Park Bench in honour of Hanalei Preece (Hanaleiis Hawaiian forHenry) a long-time surfer from the 40s 50s & 60 on the north shore. Hanalei is a well-respected person in the community and surfer in the Haleiwa area. He was aged around 83 at the time The community decided to organize a lunch & the Park Bench in his honour The bench was facing the beach & the town council had also organized a local band to play background music There was a marquee erected to house the luncheon & seat the guests. In the crowd I met Jock Sutherland (a real charger back in the 60’s & was in a lot of those early surf movies that I went to see at the Regal in Subiaco back in the day) and Dick Brewer (Dick has been a respected shaper in Hawaii since the 70’s).
The day at Haleiwa was one of the most memorable days I have had being with all these surfers & rubbing shoulders with the legends, especially Hanalei Preece, talking to him about his surfing & time when it all started for him & his thoughts.
Image: Hanalei Preece Bench Seat at Ali’I beach
L-R. Buffalo Keaulana, Hanalei Preece & Greg Noll
Image: Hanalei Preece Bench Seat at Ali’I beach
Front row L-R. Local Haleiwa surfer, Darrick Doerner, Greg Noll, Earl Dahlin, Laura Noll, Lance Carson, Ken Tilton (shaper/surfer), Len Dibben, Bob McTavish, Corky & Raquel Carroll and Ce Ce Hill our driver and airport pick up lady.
Rear Row L-R. Andrew Elliot (Qantas Pilot), Ray Beatty, Ken Bradshaw, Mathew Velzy (son of Dale Velzy), David Stanfield (Randy Rarick’s offsider) & Ryan Dotson (shaper),
Image: Hanalei Preece Bench Seat at Ali’I beach.
Front Row L-R: Ken Tilton (shaper/surfer), Corky & Raquel Carroll, Bob McTavish, Len Dibben, Greg Earle, Greg Noll, Buffalo Keaulana, Henry the bench, Laura Noll, Earl Dahlin, Lance Carson, Darrick Doerner & local Ali’I beach surfer.
Rear Row L-R: David Stanfield (Randy Rarick’s off sider), Ryan Dotson (shaper), Ray Beatty & Ken Bradshaw & Andrew Elliot (Qantas pilot).
Hawaii – Gidget documentary
On the way to Haleiwa Ce Ce mentioned that The Gidget documentary with Kathy Konher Zukerman was on that night at the Doris Duke Theatre. All of us put our hands up.
After arriving back at my hotel, I grabbed a shower, changed clothes from board shorts to evening casuals a quick feed & high tailed it to the Beachcomber hotel. Ce Ce arrived at 6.30pm & Andrew Elliot & I and a few others were transported to the Doris Duke Theatre located at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. All this entertainment was available to me through me purchasing an Auction bidder’s number and paying for the privilege. I also received a T shirt, the pass for the Gidget documentary, the movie Going Vertical, Bob McTavish & Dick Brewer discussion on who invented the short board, invitation to the Pre-Auction party at the Jimmy Buffet Restaurant & the pre inspection of all the surfing objects that were going to be auctioned on the Saturday, the Auction and the Post Auction Party, what a line-up of events!
In the foyer of the Doris Duke Theatre there was Lance Carson (60s & 70s Malibu Legend and also a leader of a rock band in California) talking to the real Gidget Kathy Kohner Zukerman, as I had met Lance earlier in the day, he had no hesitation in introducing me to Kathy & on his suggestion we all had our photos taken together. I brought her father’s book that he had written in 1956 about Kathy’s adventures at Malibu Beach California, when she was learning to surf with all the pioneer surfers in the 50s. It became a best seller, eventually a global movie out of Hollywood and then a TV production in the 70’s. With Andrew Elliott we went into the main Theatre & selected our seats, just behind us was Dick Hoole, David ‘Mex’ Sumpter, Margaret Dupre (a friend of Dick’s living in Honolulu) and Bruce Little a surf shop owner from Anglesea in Victoria. We did all the introductions and proceeded to watch the documentary. After the showing Kathy came on stage with Randy & answered questions. It was a great night to top off the day with Hanalei Preece!
Image: Meeting the real Gidget Kathy Kohner Zukerman at The Doris Duke Theatre in Honolulu.
L-R Lance Carson, Kathy Kohner Zukerman and Len Dibben.
Image: The Gidget documentary with Kathy Konher Zukerman at the Doris Duke Theatre.
L-R. David ‘Mex’ Sumpter, Dick Hoole, Margaret Dupre & Len Dibben. In the background Greg Noll is talking to Randy Rarick.
Image: The Gidget documentary with Kathy Konher Zukerman at the Doris Duke Theatre.
L-R. Dick Hoole, Ben Aipa, Len Dibben & Kenny Tilton.
Hawaii – Shapers Hall of Fame presentation
The next day I got a ring from Bob saying I should get to the Dukes Upper Restaurant that morning as there was going to be presentation for the Shapers Hall of Fame at 9 -30am. Arriving with Bob I was introduced to Bob ‘The Greek’ Bolin (In the late 50s to late 60’ Bob made boards under the label ‘Surfboards by the Greek’). Bob Bolin had become a successful Real Estate Agent & Salesman. Bob & Mickey ‘the Rat’ Ester started the awards to recognise Shapers, Manufacturers & Craftsmen for their efforts in the surf industry. This Year the recipients were Joe Quigg Surfer Designer, Shaper, Craftsman from the 40’s onwards. Joe was 84 years old at the time & lived in Oahu. Joe’s wife Aggie accompanied him to the award. Next was Ken Tilton. Ken was a shaper with Dale Velzy in the 50s 60s & 70’s and lives on Maui. Mark Velzy was also there, Mark now apart from working in the restaurant industry also sells reproductions of his father’s Surfboards. Velzy boards were the choice for the film Gidget. Harold Iggy was next-up, Harold is a very respected shaper from Oahu & has been shaping like most of us from our early teens. Harold passed away just after I returned home while testing one of his SUP boards in Hawaii, he was only 55 years old and left a wife and three boys. Bob Bolin ‘the Greek’ was next, followed by Bob ‘Ole’ Olsen. Bob is much the same, surfing & shaping first in California then in Hawaii. The last cab off the rank was Rich Harbour. He made boards in the early 60’s to the 80s in Seal Beach California & his boards are collector’s items from that period (I brought his Biography). After all the awards & speeches were delivered Bob Bolin called up Bob McTavish & me for a chat on the microphone. He asked questions on surfboards & designs and all things to do with surfboard production in Australia. To be called up & be in front of this distinguished crowd was amazing!
I soon realized that this is the Hawaiian & Californian way of doing things, to be inclusive & be very welcoming. This trip was becoming the trip of a lifetime!
Hawaii – Going Vertical surf movie
Ce Ce picked up Andrew & I and took us to the Doris Duke Theatre again for the Hawaiian first public showing of Going Vertical surf movie with Bob McTavish & Dick Brewer asking questions of each other about who started the short board revolution. All the guests from the previous night were there, plus other interested patrons were packing the theatre. The movie went off without a hitch then Randy Rarick stepped up onto the stage and called up Bob McTavish & Dick Brewer and the fireworks started, both putting their case forward to who was first. It got pretty heated to say the least, but in the end, they shook hand & called it a draw. Bob McTavish of course East Coast of Australia & Dick Brewer Oahu Hawaii
Hawaii – Waikiki surf & Pre-Auction viewing
After having breakfast at the Dukes Breakfast Restaurant with Bob, Lance Carson & Dick Hoole, Mark Velzy, Ken Tilton, Bob Smith (Torquay Victoria) and a host of other visiting surfers, I decided to go for a surf at Canoes. I hired a 10ft NSP longboard which was similar to my 9ft 6’’ Len Dibben Malibu. I walked across the road & after saying hello to Corky & Raquel Carroll I paddled out to join the other 70 to 80 other surfers of all descriptions and abilities plus SUP boarders. My surf lasted about 1½ hours. The great thing it was so warm in the water, I had a few hassles but what else would you expect with so many people!
Peter Cole was one of the early North Shore big wave surfers along with Rick Grigg in the late ’50s and early ’60s and Joe Quigg was one of the surfers that experimented with changing shapes and the use of fibreglass, foam & resin in the early 1950s. I met them both while on the 2011 tour of Hawaii. They were so easy to talk & mingle with. To be in their presence & accepted was an honour!
Image: Famous surf identities Joe Quigg and Peter Cole on Waikiki Beach.
Friday afternoon was pre auction viewing at the Blaisdell Galleria & Pikake Room in Honolulu Hawaii. Ce Ce picked me up with Ray Benner & Lance Carson. Most of the other guests were already there or in their Selling booths. Andrew Elliott the Qantas pilot had returned to work that early morning to fly back to Australia. Randy Rarick had organized vintage cars out the front of the great hall to add to the nostalgia, a really great effect! Inside the hall front & centre was all the surf memorabilia to be auctioned. The surf items ranged from the 20s ,30s, 40s, 50s & 60s. To the right just in front of the main door was the valuing of vintage surfboards section plus anything you thought might be valuable, behind that were silent auction items (Surfboards etc) & behind these was all the Painters, on the same wall to the left of the door was all the book signings Greg Noll, Bob McTavish, Rich Harbour, John Clark, Paul Holmes & host of other authors. On that same wall were all the small booths where collectors could buy & sell their wares, Dick Hoole was in this group. There were people selling shirts, fins. books, stickers, magazines, you name it was there! The crowd was big, people were everywhere talking shop, asking questions, catching up & trying to take photos.
I came across Graham MacManus from Perth W.A. and we had lunch. Ce Ce was leaving at 3.30pm & I was all talked out & tired and needed a rest that night was the Pre-Auction Party. At 6pm I ventured down to the Jimmy Buffets Bar & Restaurant at the Beachcomber Hotel. By the time I arrived the crowd had built up. I received a drink as I went through the door, 1st & 2nd drinks were free & the food so diverse and for a vegetarian like me was a bonus. The Pre-Auction Party had started, and I was surrounded with legends & surfers that I had read about for 50 years. I left at about 9 30pm.
Hawaii – The Auction 23 July 2011. (Silent 12 to 3pm, Main Auction 4 to 7 .30 pm)
I had Breakfast again at the Dukes Restaurant where most of the surfers collected that morning. Before I left for Dukes Ce Ce rang to say if I wanted a lift to the Auction, to be at the Beachcomber at about 10.30 am. I arrived in good time with Corky & Raquel Carroll & Lance Carson and we were dropped off at the Blaisdell Centre. As the vintage cars were there, we took advantage & all had our photos taken together just for the hell of it & to put in our Family Album Ha Ha.
Image: Outside Hawaiian surf auction with vintage VW Kombi vans.
L-R. Lance Carson, Len Dibben, Racquel & Corky Carroll.
We went inside & checked out the silent auction which was done by purchasing a form & filling out your bid & then waiting till the final bid was read out. If you were the one with the highest bid, you took away the prize. Going into the Main Hall & Auction room it was bloody huge as you would expect, there were about 1,000 prospective collectors from all over USA, Australia, Mexico & France There was also On-Line bidding set up on the right of the stage. Dick, Mex & Bruce organised seats for us about four rows from the front and to the right of the hall, a really great spot. About 3.30pm Randy & Mark Fragale the Hawaiian Surf Museum Curator set the stage to what was going to be the format for the afternoon. Giving pointers to bidding and showing how each and every object would be shown to the audience. Randy had six guys bringing in every piece, be it large or small and holding it up for all to see at a steady pace, this was not going to be a place for the faint hearted! This was business and if you were not aware what you were there for, lookout! Randy had done this five-times before and you could see that he wanted it all over in the time frame he had set. The On-Line bidders (from all over the world) were given every chance to out-bid the people in the hall & the audience knew that was the case!
Once the auction started it did not stop except for the special people introduced by Randy like Greg Noll, Lance Carson, Corky Carroll, Bob McTavish, Dick Brewer, Reynolds Yater, Rich Harbour & Pat Curren to name a few. Their task was to give a quick description of the boards or memorabilia and enhance the sale or bring up the bidding & it worked big time! The top price paid was for a Gerry Lopez 8ft 3” Gun he rode in the movie Big Wednesday. Auction sale price US $30,000. The auction finished at 7.45 pm.
Image: Inside Hawaiian surf auction- still taken from Auction video.
Len Dibben (front) & Greg Noll (centre).
Click on this link to view footage of the 2011 Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction run time 10.16 mins. Len can be seen sitting near Greg Noll in the video sequence 7:44- 8:10 mins.
I was there to see how the auction was done & compare my Vintage Surf Collection, get some advice for the future & catch up with Dick Hoole. Having met all these wonderful surfers had been a bonus. After the auction there was the Post Auction Party at Jimmy Buffets and the food quality had gone up a notch, how did Randy achieve this, got to hand it to the man, he was a great host! As you would expect, I slept as sound as a bell!
Hawaii – Post Auction ‘Thank You’ party at Mark & Cindy Fragale’s home in outer Honolulu.
As usual Ce Ce organized the pickup outside the Beachcomber at 10am with the rest of the crew including Lance Carson, the Carroll’s & Ray Benner. We arrived outside the Fragale’s home & to my amazement on the lawn was a ‘Welcome’ sign in large Hibiscus flowers & a photographer to record all the guests attending the party.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Ray Beatty, Ce Ce Hill & Len Dibben with Welcome sign in hibiscus flowers.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Ray Beatty, Ce Ce Hill & Len Dibben
This was hospitality at the top end, after having our photos taken we walked inside, there must have been about 300-400 people gathered in the family room & lawn area, which flowed out onto the back yard entertainment area where there had been erected Hawaiian, USA & Australian tents, flags & all, what a sight! I found out later Bob Smith from Victoria had brought all the flags & bunting from his home in Torquay.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R Mark Fragale, David Earp, Cindy Fragale and Bob Smith (Aus).
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Hosts Cindy & Mark Fragale with Mile Yukich (NZ). Mark is holding surf photography book by Logan Murray NZ).
We were served plates of food & drink and you would have not want for anything that afternoon, it was never ending. The Fragale’s have been putting on this spread for 3-4 years to back up Randy & Mark. They even welcomed me as I walked in the door & I only met him a couple of days ago briefly.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Aggie Quigg (Dec’d), Joe Quigg, Gordon Quigg (Son), Len Dibben & Greg Noll.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Surfing legends Dick Brewer (Haw) & Dick Hoole (Aus).
As the afternoon wore on the speeches started from Greg Noll, Randy, Mark Fragale & Bob Smith made a presentation for us Aussies.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence – Aussie crew. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
Standing: Mile Yukich (NZ), David Sumpter, Bruce Little, Carl Tanner, Bob McTavish, Len Dibben, unidentified guy with beer, Darryl Barnett, unidentified lady & guy with beer.
Kneeling: Dick Hoole & Bob Smith with partner Noel Pittaway.
Laying on board: Margaret Dupre
It was wonderful to be with these wonderful people including Joe & Aggie Quigg, Corky & Raquel Carroll, Lance Carson, Mark & Cindy Fragale, Dick Brewer, Dick Hoole, ‘Mex’ Sumpter, Bruce Little, Bob & Elizabeth Smith & Margaret Dupre.
It was 6 days of fun, fun, fun & I had only been in the water for 1½’ hours. Towards the end of the afternoon Mark wanted a group photo and the photographer was trying to organize the group & it was not happening, so I jumped in & started to put people in place. Margaret Dupre, Dick Hoole’s Hawaiian friend decided to lay on a vintage long board placed right in the front of the group, someone gave her a toy doll & she decided to throw it up in the air. Well you can guess what happened, it came down on the board & put a large hole in the deck. The board belonged to Mark Fragale & was one of his prize boards. I thought he would go off his brain, but no, he just past it off as if nothing happened. The Hawaiians are just the greatest people. We eventually got the group photo happening & everyone said their goodbyes & thanked Cindy & Mark for their hospitality. Another great day in the sun!
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence – Group photo. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
Tim De La Vega is a professional photographer & author. He lives in Hawaii and took all the post auction party pictures & also filmed some of the videos at the Auction. He has been more than helpful in providing material for this story!
Tim De La Vega and the T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) crew are responsible for producing the following surf history books: –
“200 Years of Surfing Literature: An Annotated Bibliography.”
“Surfing in Hawaiʻi: 1778-1930”
“Surf Riders of Hawaii” By A. R. Gurrey Jr., Handmade and Restored Book in Slipcase.
“Surf Riders of Hawaii” By A. R. Gurrey Jr., Handmade and Restored 2 Book Boxed Set.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence – The T.E.A.M. crew. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
Standing: Jamie Clark, Bob Smith, Joe Tabler, Cary Weiss & Jens Jensen
Sitting: Sandy Hall, Tim DeLaVega and Allen Kukel
Timothy T. De La Vega – A few of the T.E.A.M. crew are missing from this photo, like Mark and Cindy Fragale, Peter Robinson, Dan Pincetich, Joel T. Smith and Gary Lynch. Aloha ke Akua,
Hawaii – Trip to the North Shore
We headed to Randy Rarick’s home at Sunset Beach on the North Shore. Dick organized this function at the Fragale’s party the day before & he wanted to catch up with surf shop owners to see if they wanted any of his surfing DVDs etc. On the way I checked out the headlands & cliffs, saw some beaches and took a few photos. Dick even took one of me holding an island in the palm of my hand. We had lunch at a beach shop & arrived at Randy’s home at Sunset Beach. The house was two stories with a garage underneath and a shaping bay in the rear of the garage. This is where Randy does his restorations & shapes the odd board, a great little set up. Dick & Mex finished their business & Randy presented me with a Randy Rarick t-shirt, which was a nice gesture seeing I did not buy anything at the auction!
We arrived at Haleiwa to have an evening meal & for Dick to see Bruce Greens Surf & Dive & SUP board shop. Bruce Green’s Surf Shop is something to behold. The security is not what you would expect, some of the walls were made of timber & had spaces between the joins. There were stock boards of all sizes & shapes everywhere, clothes & accessories, the same, it was just chock-a-block & this was in the country, not a really built up area! But it survives & he is successful. I don’t know how Bruce sleeps at night! We had our evening meal and a talk fest at a great Mexican Restaurant in the main street of Haleiwa.
Depart Hawaii
I did the breakfast thing at Dukes for the last time & then Dick took me to the airport where I checked in & helped Randy load Richard Hadley’s eight auction acquired surfboards in the receiving depot for their trip back to Australia. I thanked Dick & Randy for their hospitality & boarded the Hawaiian Airline for Sydney with Richard, Darryl & Tony.
Arrive Sydney NSW
We arrived at the Sydney Airport and collected our bags. As I had ordered an overnight stay, I said goodbye to the Oz boys as they went their separate ways home.
Arrive Perth WA.
After having breakfast, the Airport Transport coach arrived & took me to the Sydney domestic airport for my Qantas flight home to Perth W.A. Home at last the same day Wednesday afternoon & my wife Wendy was there looking great.
I had a Terrific time away & met so many legends & great surfers & experienced so much, the only thing I regret is I should have taken Wendy with me as I did not realise how many wives & partners accompanied their spouses. Well next time, if we go to the next one Wendy will be by my side, no worries.
In 2011 WA surf industry pioneer Len Dibben (now age 82) travelled to Hawaii to attend a Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction. While there he had a surf at Waikiki and attended other social functions. In Hawaii he was treated like surf royalty and had the time of his life.
This is Len’s story. The holiday snaps are Len’s unless stated otherwise.
This trip eventuated at the insistence of Australian veteran surf photographer and filmmaker Dick Hoole. Dick is famous for 70-80s surf films like Tubular Swells and Storm Riders directed with David Lourie and Jack McCoy. I was his agent in WA in the late 80s-90 & 2000 for his Videos & DVD’s. Dick had been trying to get me to go to Hawaii for the last 3-4 surf auctions which are held every two years. Dick & his mate David ‘the Mex’ Sumpter with Bruce Little (Surf shop owner Anglesea Victoria) have been to all of Randy Rarick’s surf auctions to promote & sell their wares.
Perth WA to Sydney NSW
I left Perth Domestic Airport in the afternoon of Monday 18th of July 2011 and boarded a Qantas direct flight to Sydney International Airport to connect with Hawaiian Airlines. It was sad saying goodbye to Wendy & leaving her home to look after the fort This was the first time I have ever ventured overseas on my own.
On arriving at Hawaiian Airways Departure lounge in Sydney there was Australian surf legend Bob McTavish & Richard Hadley (WA). Richard had been on this trip 2 -3 times acquiring items for his proposed surf museum in Yallingup. Also waiting was Darryl Miller, ‘Von Weido’ to his mates. Darryl has a Vintage & memorabilia shop on the east coast with his mate Tony Morris.
On checking in we found out the flight had been cancelled till next day Tuesday 19 Flight leaving around 5 am. Hawaiian Airlines issued us with meal, hotel & transport vouchers. During the coach ride to the hotel Bob McTavish asked if I would like to share a meal, I said “great”, so after checking in at the hotel we met at the restaurant. During the meal Bob & I chattered about old times & he asked me what I was up to these days, I replied that I was still making longboards. shortboards, retros & all types of surfing craft, doing all the work myself, Bob came back with “Well Len you are the real deal”. I had never thought of it that way before!
Arrive Hawaii
Early the next morning we boarded our Hawaiian Airline in Sydney and arrived at Oahu International Airport at about 9-30pm Hawaiian time. We were all cleared through customs except Bob McTavish. Bob was detained because he had violated USA space back in 1966 without a visa and illegally stayed for about 6 months surfing & working in Hawaii. Bob had been back to Hawaii a few times in the past & had not been detained like this before!
We were met outside the terminal by Ce Ce Hill, Randy Rarick’s pick up lady & public relations person. She transported the four of us to our Waikiki Circle Hotel on Honolulu Drive which is just opposite the Duke Statue near Canoes surf break on Waikiki Beach. The hotel is really a circle shape about 8 stories high, the rooms are around the outside & the lift is in the middle. Really unique!
Image: Waikiki Circle Hotel on Honolulu Drive.
On Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, a 9-foot bronze statue honours Duke Kahanamoku (1890-1968) the Hawaiian Olympic swimming champion & father of international surfing.
Image: Night-time shot of Len with Duke Kahanamoku statue on beach front Honolulu.
On the way Ce Ce asked if we wanted to go to Haleiwa for the Henry ‘Hanalei‘ Preece Memorial induction the next day, I said that would be great & I was in the party. The others Darryl, Richard & Tony wanted to go surfing & do some business. Ce Ce after dropping us off had to go back & see if she could get Bob McTavish out of security & pick up Greg Noll & his wife Laura who were coming in on a later flight from California. All this happened around 2 to 3.30 am Hawaiian time.
Hawaii – Henry ‘Hanalei‘ Preece Memorial
Next morning, I arrived at the Beachcomber on time, it was about 150 meters from my hotel, Ce Ce was there would you believe all bright & bushy tailed as though she had not been out to all hours of the morning. She also had to drive home which was about ¾ hour from downtown Honolulu after going through all the dramas the night & morning before. In the five-seater van was Greg & Laura Noll (I had met Greg & Laura some 10 year before at the Noosa Surf festival in Australia), Ray Benner (a long-time friend of the Noll’s). In the next seat was Corky & Raquel Carroll, Lance Carson, Ken Tilton ex shaper for Dale Velzy (Deceased) & Dale’s son Mark Velzy. Also, in the van were David Stanfield TV producer & commentator. Ryan Dotson (1970 designer & surfer shaper), Bob ‘Ole’ Olsen (Surfboard Manufacturer), Aust shaper Bob McTavish & last but not least Andrew Elliott a Qantas Pilot. Andrew was just coming out of the hotel foyer & Ce Ce asked if he would like to be in the party. And here is little Len Dibben from Perth W.A. with all these legends in the coach going to Haleiwa for the day. We all introduced ourselves and by halfway there we were like long lost pals.
We were going to Haleiwa for the commemoration of a Park Bench in honour of Hanalei Preece (Hanalei is Hawaiian for Henry) a long-time surfer from the 40s 50s & 60 on the north shore. Hanalei is a well-respected person in the community and surfer in the Haleiwa area. He was aged around 83 at the time The community decided to organize a lunch & the Park Bench in his honour The bench was facing the beach & the town council had also organized a local band to play background music There was a marquee erected to house the luncheon & seat the guests. In the crowd I met Jock Sutherland (a real charger back in the 60’s & was in a lot of those early surf movies that I went to see at the Regal in Subiaco back in the day) and Dick Brewer (Dick has been a respected shaper in Hawaii since the 70’s).
The day at Haleiwa was one of the most memorable days I have had being with all these surfers & rubbing shoulders with the legends, especially Hanalei Preece, talking to him about his surfing & time when it all started for him & his thoughts.
Image: Hanalei Preece Bench Seat at Ali’I beach
L-R. Buffalo Keaulana, Hanalei Preece & Greg Noll
Image: Hanalei Preece Bench Seat at Ali’I beach
Front row L-R. Local Haleiwa surfer, Darrick Doerner, Greg Noll, Earl Dahlin, Laura Noll, Lance Carson, Ken Tilton (shaper/surfer), Len Dibben, Bob McTavish, Corky & Raquel Carroll and Ce Ce Hill our driver and airport pick up lady.
Rear Row L-R. Andrew Elliot (Qantas Pilot), Ray Beatty, Ken Bradshaw, Mathew Velzy (son of Dale Velzy), David Stanfield (Randy Rarick’s offsider) & Ryan Dotson (shaper),
Image: Hanalei Preece Bench Seat at Ali’I beach.
Front Row L-R: Ken Tilton (shaper/surfer), Corky & Raquel Carroll, Bob McTavish, Len Dibben, Greg Earle, Greg Noll, Buffalo Keaulana, Henry the bench, Laura Noll, Earl Dahlin, Lance Carson, Darrick Doerner & local Ali’I beach surfer.
Rear Row L-R: David Stanfield (Randy Rarick’s off sider), Ryan Dotson (shaper), Ray Beatty & Ken Bradshaw & Andrew Elliot (Qantas pilot).
Hawaii – Gidget documentary
On the way to Haleiwa Ce Ce mentioned that The Gidget documentary with Kathy Konher Zukerman was on that night at the Doris Duke Theatre. All of us put our hands up.
After arriving back at my hotel, I grabbed a shower, changed clothes from board shorts to evening casuals a quick feed & high tailed it to the Beachcomber hotel. Ce Ce arrived at 6.30pm & Andrew Elliot & I and a few others were transported to the Doris Duke Theatre located at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. All this entertainment was available to me through me purchasing an Auction bidder’s number and paying for the privilege. I also received a T shirt, the pass for the Gidget documentary, the movie Going Vertical, Bob McTavish & Dick Brewer discussion on who invented the short board, invitation to the Pre-Auction party at the Jimmy Buffet Restaurant & the pre inspection of all the surfing objects that were going to be auctioned on the Saturday, the Auction and the Post Auction Party, what a line-up of events!
In the foyer of the Doris Duke Theatre there was Lance Carson (60s & 70s Malibu Legend and also a leader of a rock band in California) talking to the real Gidget Kathy Kohner Zukerman, as I had met Lance earlier in the day, he had no hesitation in introducing me to Kathy & on his suggestion we all had our photos taken together. I brought her father’s book that he had written in 1956 about Kathy’s adventures at Malibu Beach California, when she was learning to surf with all the pioneer surfers in the 50s. It became a best seller, eventually a global movie out of Hollywood and then a TV production in the 70’s. With Andrew Elliott we went into the main Theatre & selected our seats, just behind us was Dick Hoole, David ‘Mex’ Sumpter, Margaret Dupre (a friend of Dick’s living in Honolulu) and Bruce Little a surf shop owner from Anglesea in Victoria. We did all the introductions and proceeded to watch the documentary. After the showing Kathy came on stage with Randy & answered questions. It was a great night to top off the day with Hanalei Preece!
Image: Meeting the real Gidget Kathy Kohner Zukerman at The Doris Duke Theatre in Honolulu.
L-R Lance Carson, Kathy Kohner Zukerman and Len Dibben.
Image: The Gidget documentary with Kathy Konher Zukerman at the Doris Duke Theatre.
L-R. David ‘Mex’ Sumpter, Dick Hoole, Margaret Dupre & Len Dibben. In the background Greg Noll is talking to Randy Rarick.
Image: The Gidget documentary with Kathy Konher Zukerman at the Doris Duke Theatre.
L-R. Dick Hoole, Ben Aipa, Len Dibben & Kenny Tilton.
Hawaii – Shapers Hall of Fame presentation
The next day I got a ring from Bob saying I should get to the Dukes Upper Restaurant that morning as there was going to be presentation for the Shapers Hall of Fame at 9 -30am. Arriving with Bob I was introduced to Bob ‘The Greek’ Bolin (In the late 50s to late 60’ Bob made boards under the label ‘Surfboards by the Greek’). Bob Bolin had become a successful Real Estate Agent & Salesman. Bob & Mickey ‘the Rat’ Ester started the awards to recognise Shapers, Manufacturers & Craftsmen for their efforts in the surf industry. This Year the recipients were Joe Quigg Surfer Designer, Shaper, Craftsman from the 40’s onwards. Joe was 84 years old at the time & lived in Oahu. Joe’s wife Aggie accompanied him to the award. Next was Ken Tilton. Ken was a shaper with Dale Velzy in the 50s 60s & 70’s and lives on Maui. Mark Velzy was also there, Mark now apart from working in the restaurant industry also sells reproductions of his father’s Surfboards. Velzy boards were the choice for the film Gidget. Harold Iggy was next-up, Harold is a very respected shaper from Oahu & has been shaping like most of us from our early teens. Harold passed away just after I returned home while testing one of his SUP boards in Hawaii, he was only 55 years old and left a wife and three boys. Bob Bolin ‘the Greek’ was next, followed by Bob ‘Ole’ Olsen. Bob is much the same, surfing & shaping first in California then in Hawaii. The last cab off the rank was Rich Harbour. He made boards in the early 60’s to the 80s in Seal Beach California & his boards are collector’s items from that period (I brought his Biography). After all the awards & speeches were delivered Bob Bolin called up Bob McTavish & me for a chat on the microphone. He asked questions on surfboards & designs and all things to do with surfboard production in Australia. To be called up & be in front of this distinguished crowd was amazing!
I soon realized that this is the Hawaiian & Californian way of doing things, to be inclusive & be very welcoming. This trip was becoming the trip of a lifetime!
Hawaii – Going Vertical surf movie
Ce Ce picked up Andrew & I and took us to the Doris Duke Theatre again for the Hawaiian first public showing of Going Vertical surf movie with Bob McTavish & Dick Brewer asking questions of each other about who started the short board revolution. All the guests from the previous night were there, plus other interested patrons were packing the theatre. The movie went off without a hitch then Randy Rarick stepped up onto the stage and called up Bob McTavish & Dick Brewer and the fireworks started, both putting their case forward to who was first. It got pretty heated to say the least, but in the end, they shook hand & called it a draw. Bob McTavish of course East Coast of Australia & Dick Brewer Oahu Hawaii
Hawaii – Waikiki surf & Pre-Auction viewing
After having breakfast at the Dukes Breakfast Restaurant with Bob, Lance Carson & Dick Hoole, Mark Velzy, Ken Tilton, Bob Smith (Torquay Victoria) and a host of other visiting surfers, I decided to go for a surf at Canoes. I hired a 10ft NSP longboard which was similar to my 9ft 6’’ Len Dibben Malibu. I walked across the road & after saying hello to Corky & Raquel Carroll I paddled out to join the other 70 to 80 other surfers of all descriptions and abilities plus SUP boarders. My surf lasted about 1½ hours. The great thing it was so warm in the water, I had a few hassles but what else would you expect with so many people!
Peter Cole was one of the early North Shore big wave surfers along with Rick Grigg in the late ’50s and early ’60s and Joe Quigg was one of the surfers that experimented with changing shapes and the use of fibreglass, foam & resin in the early 1950s. I met them both while on the 2011 tour of Hawaii. They were so easy to talk & mingle with. To be in their presence & accepted was an honour!
Image: Famous surf identities Joe Quigg and Peter Cole on Waikiki Beach.
Friday afternoon was pre auction viewing at the Blaisdell Galleria & Pikake Room in Honolulu Hawaii. Ce Ce picked me up with Ray Benner & Lance Carson. Most of the other guests were already there or in their Selling booths. Andrew Elliott the Qantas pilot had returned to work that early morning to fly back to Australia. Randy Rarick had organized vintage cars out the front of the great hall to add to the nostalgia, a really great effect! Inside the hall front & centre was all the surf memorabilia to be auctioned. The surf items ranged from the 20s ,30s, 40s, 50s & 60s. To the right just in front of the main door was the valuing of vintage surfboards section plus anything you thought might be valuable, behind that were silent auction items (Surfboards etc) & behind these was all the Painters, on the same wall to the left of the door was all the book signings Greg Noll, Bob McTavish, Rich Harbour, John Clark, Paul Holmes & host of other authors. On that same wall were all the small booths where collectors could buy & sell their wares, Dick Hoole was in this group. There were people selling shirts, fins. books, stickers, magazines, you name it was there! The crowd was big, people were everywhere talking shop, asking questions, catching up & trying to take photos.
I came across Graham MacManus from Perth W.A. and we had lunch. Ce Ce was leaving at 3.30pm & I was all talked out & tired and needed a rest that night was the Pre-Auction Party. At 6pm I ventured down to the Jimmy Buffets Bar & Restaurant at the Beachcomber Hotel. By the time I arrived the crowd had built up. I received a drink as I went through the door, 1st & 2nd drinks were free & the food so diverse and for a vegetarian like me was a bonus. The Pre-Auction Party had started, and I was surrounded with legends & surfers that I had read about for 50 years. I left at about 9 30pm.
Hawaii – The Auction 23 July 2011. (Silent 12 to 3pm, Main Auction 4 to 7 .30 pm)
I had Breakfast again at the Dukes Restaurant where most of the surfers collected that morning. Before I left for Dukes Ce Ce rang to say if I wanted a lift to the Auction, to be at the Beachcomber at about 10.30 am. I arrived in good time with Corky & Raquel Carroll & Lance Carson and we were dropped off at the Blaisdell Centre. As the vintage cars were there, we took advantage & all had our photos taken together just for the hell of it & to put in our Family Album Ha Ha.
Image: Outside Hawaiian surf auction with vintage VW Kombi vans.
L-R. Lance Carson, Len Dibben, Racquel & Corky Carroll.
We went inside & checked out the silent auction which was done by purchasing a form & filling out your bid & then waiting till the final bid was read out. If you were the one with the highest bid, you took away the prize. Going into the Main Hall & Auction room it was bloody huge as you would expect, there were about 1,000 prospective collectors from all over USA, Australia, Mexico & France There was also On-Line bidding set up on the right of the stage. Dick, Mex & Bruce organised seats for us about four rows from the front and to the right of the hall, a really great spot. About 3.30pm Randy & Mark Fragale the Hawaiian Surf Museum Curator set the stage to what was going to be the format for the afternoon. Giving pointers to bidding and showing how each and every object would be shown to the audience. Randy had six guys bringing in every piece, be it large or small and holding it up for all to see at a steady pace, this was not going to be a place for the faint hearted! This was business and if you were not aware what you were there for, lookout! Randy had done this five-times before and you could see that he wanted it all over in the time frame he had set. The On-Line bidders (from all over the world) were given every chance to out-bid the people in the hall & the audience knew that was the case!
Once the auction started it did not stop except for the special people introduced by Randy like Greg Noll, Lance Carson, Corky Carroll, Bob McTavish, Dick Brewer, Reynolds Yater, Rich Harbour & Pat Curren to name a few. Their task was to give a quick description of the boards or memorabilia and enhance the sale or bring up the bidding & it worked big time! The top price paid was for a Gerry Lopez 8ft 3” Gun he rode in the movie Big Wednesday. Auction sale price US $30,000. The auction finished at 7.45 pm.
Image: Inside Hawaiian surf auction- still taken from Auction video.
Len Dibben (front) & Greg Noll (centre).
Click on this link to view footage of the 2011 Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction run time 10.16 mins. Len can be seen sitting near Greg Noll in the video sequence 7:44- 8:10 mins.
I was there to see how the auction was done & compare my Vintage Surf Collection, get some advice for the future & catch up with Dick Hoole. Having met all these wonderful surfers had been a bonus. After the auction there was the Post Auction Party at Jimmy Buffets and the food quality had gone up a notch, how did Randy achieve this, got to hand it to the man, he was a great host! As you would expect, I slept as sound as a bell!
Hawaii – Post Auction ‘Thank You’ party at Mark & Cindy Fragale’s home in outer Honolulu.
As usual Ce Ce organized the pickup outside the Beachcomber at 10am with the rest of the crew including Lance Carson, the Carroll’s & Ray Benner. We arrived outside the Fragale’s home & to my amazement on the lawn was a ‘Welcome’ sign in large Hibiscus flowers & a photographer to record all the guests attending the party.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Ray Beatty, Ce Ce Hill & Len Dibben with Welcome sign in hibiscus flowers.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Ray Beatty, Ce Ce Hill & Len Dibben
This was hospitality at the top end, after having our photos taken we walked inside, there must have been about 300-400 people gathered in the family room & lawn area, which flowed out onto the back yard entertainment area where there had been erected Hawaiian, USA & Australian tents, flags & all, what a sight! I found out later Bob Smith from Victoria had brought all the flags & bunting from his home in Torquay.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R Mark Fragale, David Earp, Cindy Fragale and Bob Smith (Aus).
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Hosts Cindy & Mark Fragale with Mile Yukich (NZ). Mark is holding surf photography book by Logan Murray NZ).
We were served plates of food & drink and you would have not want for anything that afternoon, it was never ending. The Fragale’s have been putting on this spread for 3-4 years to back up Randy & Mark. They even welcomed me as I walked in the door & I only met him a couple of days ago briefly.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Aggie Quigg (Dec’d), Joe Quigg, Gordon Quigg (Son), Len Dibben & Greg Noll.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
L-R. Surfing legends Dick Brewer (Haw) & Dick Hoole (Aus).
As the afternoon wore on the speeches started from Greg Noll, Randy, Mark Fragale & Bob Smith made a presentation for us Aussies.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence – Aussie crew. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
Standing: Mile Yukich (NZ), David Sumpter, Bruce Little, Carl Tanner, Bob McTavish, Len Dibben, unidentified guy with beer, Darryl Barnett, unidentified lady & guy with beer.
Kneeling: Dick Hoole & Bob Smith with partner Noel Pittaway.
Laying on board: Margaret Dupre
It was wonderful to be with these wonderful people including Joe & Aggie Quigg, Corky & Raquel Carroll, Lance Carson, Mark & Cindy Fragale, Dick Brewer, Dick Hoole, ‘Mex’ Sumpter, Bruce Little, Bob & Elizabeth Smith & Margaret Dupre.
It was 6 days of fun, fun, fun & I had only been in the water for 1½’ hours. Towards the end of the afternoon Mark wanted a group photo and the photographer was trying to organize the group & it was not happening, so I jumped in & started to put people in place. Margaret Dupre, Dick Hoole’s Hawaiian friend decided to lay on a vintage long board placed right in the front of the group, someone gave her a toy doll & she decided to throw it up in the air. Well you can guess what happened, it came down on the board & put a large hole in the deck. The board belonged to Mark Fragale & was one of his prize boards. I thought he would go off his brain, but no, he just past it off as if nothing happened. The Hawaiians are just the greatest people. We eventually got the group photo happening & everyone said their goodbyes & thanked Cindy & Mark for their hospitality. Another great day in the sun!
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence – Group photo. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
Tim De La Vega is a professional photographer & author. He lives in Hawaii and took all the post auction party pictures & also filmed some of the videos at the Auction. He has been more than helpful in providing material for this story!
Tim De La Vega and the T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) crew are responsible for producing the following surf history books: –
“Surfing Collectibles Guide #1: Magazine & Poster Issue.”
“200 Years of Surfing Literature: An Annotated Bibliography.”
“Surfing in Hawaiʻi: 1778-1930”
“Surf Riders of Hawaii” By A. R. Gurrey Jr., Handmade and Restored Book in Slipcase.
“Surf Riders of Hawaii” By A. R. Gurrey Jr., Handmade and Restored 2 Book Boxed Set.
Image: Post Auction party at Fragale residence – The T.E.A.M. crew. Photo TimDeLaVega.com
Standing: Jamie Clark, Bob Smith, Joe Tabler, Cary Weiss & Jens Jensen
Sitting: Sandy Hall, Tim DeLaVega and Allen Kukel
Timothy T. De La Vega – A few of the T.E.A.M. crew are missing from this photo, like Mark and Cindy Fragale, Peter Robinson, Dan Pincetich, Joel T. Smith and Gary Lynch. Aloha ke Akua,
Hawaii – Trip to the North Shore
We headed to Randy Rarick’s home at Sunset Beach on the North Shore. Dick organized this function at the Fragale’s party the day before & he wanted to catch up with surf shop owners to see if they wanted any of his surfing DVDs etc. On the way I checked out the headlands & cliffs, saw some beaches and took a few photos. Dick even took one of me holding an island in the palm of my hand. We had lunch at a beach shop & arrived at Randy’s home at Sunset Beach. The house was two stories with a garage underneath and a shaping bay in the rear of the garage. This is where Randy does his restorations & shapes the odd board, a great little set up. Dick & Mex finished their business & Randy presented me with a Randy Rarick t-shirt, which was a nice gesture seeing I did not buy anything at the auction!
We arrived at Haleiwa to have an evening meal & for Dick to see Bruce Greens Surf & Dive & SUP board shop. Bruce Green’s Surf Shop is something to behold. The security is not what you would expect, some of the walls were made of timber & had spaces between the joins. There were stock boards of all sizes & shapes everywhere, clothes & accessories, the same, it was just chock-a-block & this was in the country, not a really built up area! But it survives & he is successful. I don’t know how Bruce sleeps at night! We had our evening meal and a talk fest at a great Mexican Restaurant in the main street of Haleiwa.
Depart Hawaii
I did the breakfast thing at Dukes for the last time & then Dick took me to the airport where I checked in & helped Randy load Richard Hadley’s eight auction acquired surfboards in the receiving depot for their trip back to Australia. I thanked Dick & Randy for their hospitality & boarded the Hawaiian Airline for Sydney with Richard, Darryl & Tony.
Arrive Sydney NSW
We arrived at the Sydney Airport and collected our bags. As I had ordered an overnight stay, I said goodbye to the Oz boys as they went their separate ways home.
Arrive Perth WA.
After having breakfast, the Airport Transport coach arrived & took me to the Sydney domestic airport for my Qantas flight home to Perth W.A. Home at last the same day Wednesday afternoon & my wife Wendy was there looking great.
I had a Terrific time away & met so many legends & great surfers & experienced so much, the only thing I regret is I should have taken Wendy with me as I did not realise how many wives & partners accompanied their spouses. Well next time, if we go to the next one Wendy will be by my side, no worries.
Thanks for sharing your story & pics Len.
http://www.lendibbensurfboards.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/len.dibben
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