The original version of this blog was posted 5 November 2016. This version has been reformatted and contains additional information and images.
1973-80s Odyssey Surfboards revisited
Phil Usher & Nev Hyman (and maybe Paul Rogers) opened Odyssey Surfboards on Cnr Newcastle and Loftus St West Perth in 1975/76.
Phil Usher. “Nev Hyman started making boards when we were age 16 at high school circa 1973. I think Nev began in his dad’s garage on Manning Rd Bentley and then teamed up with Paul Rogers and made boards at Paul’s house. Nev and I were mates at school Nev invited me to join him and Paul to make boards once we finished school. Nev and I and maybe Paul opened Odyssey on Cnr Newcastle and Loftus St in 1975I think, maybe 76. Paul exited either just before or after we opened. Nev and I then powered on. A few years later I bought Nev out. (He wanted to head east). Nev called me from Qld and said I had to go there. I did and we partnered up again. Gus Simpson and Bruce Smith bought Odyssey off me when I decided Qld was exactly what Nev said…the land of milk and honey….at the time.😊“
In 1976 Odyssey Surfboards sponsored a Surf Team of 13 riders including 6 kneeboard riders to progress new ideas and promote their retail outlet in West Perth.
1976 Odyssey Surfboards advertisement courtesy of WASRA Program & Odyssey Surfboards.
In 1983 Surfing Photographer/Photo Editor Lee Pegus (RIP) from the Gold Coast Queensland interviewed Phil Usher for West Coast Wind & Surfer magazine.
1983 Phil Usher interview by the late Lee Pegus in West Coast Wind and Surfer mag. Page 1 of 41983 Phil Usher interview by the late Lee Pegus in West Coast Wind and Surfer mag. Page 2 of 41983 Phil Usher interview by the late Lee Pegus in West Coast Wind and Surfer mag. Page 3 of 41983 Phil Usher interview by the late Lee Pegus in West Coast Wind and Surfer mag. Page 4 of 41970s Phil Usher’s 4wd Suzuki bogged Smiths Beach back track. Photo Blair Meiklejohn L-R Lee Potter, Nev Hyman, Rod Hernaman, Blair Meiklejohn, Phil Usher and Bill Meiklejohn.2019 Phil Usher and Nev Hyman in Nev’s garage with a Starbus Gold Coast model from mid 80s. Photo Phil Usher.
Murray Smith (Hotbrewz Surfboards WA). “In the late 70s/early 80s Nev & Phil went to Qld and worked together in the surf industry. Phil returned to WA in 1983 and worked for me in the Hotbrewz surfboard factory in Churchlands for about 2 – 2 1/2 years. He then travelled to Europe and South America before returning to Qld and worked with Nev for a short while before they got involved in building Reno’s and the company went from there.”
Circa 1985 Hotbrewz surfboards employee holding a Phil Usher designed short board with flyers. Murray Smith pic.
Surfing WA Celebrating 50 Years book (published 2014) featured a story on Odyssey co-founder Nev Hyman. Nev is recognised as one of the most innovative surfboard shapers, designers and manufacturers of the modern era.
Nev Hyman Craftsman story in Surfing WA book #1Nev Hyman Craftsman story in Surfing WA book #2
Neil Bird (Sneilneeboards Spain). “I started sanding, dings with Phil after Nev left for East coast, around 1976-77. Phil was the shaper. (At the time I was back yarding my Comet Kneeboards, so working in a real factory was great!). I was soon glassing for Phil. Phil left for Queensland in 1980. He offered Odyssey to me, but I was already in love with the Basque country after my first trip in 1979. Gus Simpson took it on with Bruce Smith as the shaper. I think the next owner was Bruce’s dad. Anyway, a lot of stories there!”
1980s Odyssey surfboard glassed by Neil Bird. Photo courtesy Denis Keane Vintage Surfboards Collectors West Oz.
Phil Usher and Bruce Smith took over as shapers at Odyssey after Nev Hyman headed east in 1976-77.
1980 Bruce Smith shaping at Odyssey Surfboards in West Perth. Photo Ric Chan1980 Bruce Smith surfing an Odyssey Surfboard in State Spring Titles held at Scarborough. Photos Ric Chan.1980 Odyssey advertisement featuring team member Dave Sims. Image courtesy West Coast Surfer mag.
John ‘Gus’ Simpson and Bruce Smith purchased Odyssey Surfboards from Phil Usher in the early 80s.
1980s Odyssey Surfboards factory in West Perth. L-R Owners Gus Simpson & Bruce Smith. Photo Ric Chan.
Gus Simpson served as WASRA President 1981-82. He used his entrepreneurial skills to develop WASRA and created the Odyssey Pro Am surfing competition.
1980s Gus Simpson at Odyssey Surfboards West Perth. Photo Ric Chan.
Where are they now?
Nev Hyman and Phil Usher live and work in Queensland. Gus Simpson is a successful businessman overseas and Bruce Smith is surfing and shaping FishmanSurfboards in Chile.
Nev happy snaps
2012 Yallingup Small Fries Comp. L-R Nev Hyman, Taj Burrow & Mark Paterson. Photo by the late Loz Smith RIP.2013 Foamlust Surf Festival at Margaret River. L-R Nev Hyman , Rob Conneeley & Bill Gibson. Photo by the late Loz Smith RIP.2014 Surfing WA 50 Year celebrations at Margaret River. L-R Ric Chan, Nev Hyman, Fred Annesley & Jim King. Photo by the late Loz Smith RIP.
Coming soon ‘Odyssey surfboard exhibition’
The WA Surf Gallery supported by Surfing W.A. and Aravina Estate will be hosting an exhibition of Odyssey surfboards and memorabilia over the spring months. The opening for the event will coincide with the reunion of the Odyssey team being held at the annual Vintage Surfboard Swap Meetat Perry Lakes Reserve Floreat on Sunday 23 October 2022.
Foreword
The original version of this blog was posted 5 November 2016. This version has been reformatted and contains additional information and images.
1973-80s Odyssey Surfboards revisited
Phil Usher & Nev Hyman (and maybe Paul Rogers) opened Odyssey Surfboards on Cnr Newcastle and Loftus St West Perth in 1975/76.
Phil Usher. “Nev Hyman started making boards when we were age 16 at high school circa 1973. I think Nev began in his dad’s garage on Manning Rd Bentley and then teamed up with Paul Rogers and made boards at Paul’s house. Nev and I were mates at school Nev invited me to join him and Paul to make boards once we finished school.
Nev and I and maybe Paul opened Odyssey on Cnr Newcastle and Loftus St in 1975 I think, maybe 76. Paul exited either just before or after we opened. Nev and I then powered on. A few years later I bought Nev out. (He wanted to head east). Nev called me from Qld and said I had to go there. I did and we partnered up again. Gus Simpson and Bruce Smith bought Odyssey off me when I decided Qld was exactly what Nev said…the land of milk and honey….at the time.😊“
In 1976 Odyssey Surfboards sponsored a Surf Team of 13 riders including 6 kneeboard riders to progress new ideas and promote their retail outlet in West Perth.
In 1983 Surfing Photographer/Photo Editor Lee Pegus (RIP) from the Gold Coast Queensland interviewed Phil Usher for West Coast Wind & Surfer magazine.
L-R Lee Potter, Nev Hyman, Rod Hernaman, Blair Meiklejohn, Phil Usher and Bill Meiklejohn.
Murray Smith (Hotbrewz Surfboards WA). “In the late 70s/early 80s Nev & Phil went to Qld and worked together in the surf industry. Phil returned to WA in 1983 and worked for me in the Hotbrewz surfboard factory in Churchlands for about 2 – 2 1/2 years. He then travelled to Europe and South America before returning to Qld and worked with Nev for a short while before they got involved in building Reno’s and the company went from there.”
Surfing WA Celebrating 50 Years book (published 2014) featured a story on Odyssey co-founder Nev Hyman. Nev is recognised as one of the most innovative surfboard shapers, designers and manufacturers of the modern era.
Neil Bird (Sneilneeboards Spain). “I started sanding, dings with Phil after Nev left for East coast, around 1976-77. Phil was the shaper. (At the time I was back yarding my Comet Kneeboards, so working in a real factory was great!). I was soon glassing for Phil. Phil left for Queensland in 1980. He offered Odyssey to me, but I was already in love with the Basque country after my first trip in 1979. Gus Simpson took it on with Bruce Smith as the shaper. I think the next owner was Bruce’s dad. Anyway, a lot of stories there!”
Phil Usher and Bruce Smith took over as shapers at Odyssey after Nev Hyman headed east in 1976-77.
John ‘Gus’ Simpson and Bruce Smith purchased Odyssey Surfboards from Phil Usher in the early 80s.
Gus Simpson served as WASRA President 1981-82. He used his entrepreneurial skills to develop WASRA and created the Odyssey Pro Am surfing competition.
Where are they now?
Nev Hyman and Phil Usher live and work in Queensland. Gus Simpson is a successful businessman overseas and Bruce Smith is surfing and shaping Fishman Surfboards in Chile.
Nev happy snaps
Coming soon ‘Odyssey surfboard exhibition’
The WA Surf Gallery supported by Surfing W.A. and Aravina Estate will be hosting an exhibition of Odyssey surfboards and memorabilia over the spring months. The opening for the event will coincide with the reunion of the Odyssey team being held at the annual Vintage Surfboard Swap Meet at Perry Lakes Reserve Floreat on Sunday 23 October 2022.
Related Content
Nev Hyman book intro by Wayne Patrick Murphy posted 5 January 2022.
Neil Bird’s involvement in the surfboard & kneeboard industry in WA & Spain posted 9 March 2022
———————————————————–
Share this:
Like this: