In the 70s New Zealand import Ric Chan was the Man To Go To for spectacular surf photos. In the days before jet skis and under water camera housing, Ric would venture into the surf in a row boat to get up close with his subjects.
He also explored music photography with renowned artists, including the Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, ACDC, the Jacksons, Deep Purple, Nina Simone, Santana, Cat Stevens and Elton John. (Source: Surfing Down South book 2014).
Gold Kombi Vans
Around 1965 Ric Chan travelled from his homeland New Zealand to the east coast of OZ to shoot surf pics with his second hand Pentax camera and 600 mm lens..
In NSW he purchased a second hand VW Kombi van and had it painted a gold colour before setting off on a tour of East Coast surf spots shooting surf pics for Surf International (California) magazine articles..
After touring East Coast surf spots for a couple of years, Ric had the Kombi engine reconditioned and drove it across the Nullarbor to WA in 1969.
In WA Ric lived in a rental unit on the beach front at Scarborough and travelled to SW surf spots shooting surfing pics on weekends.
Late 1972 the original gold Kombi’s re-conditioned engine expired after frequent trips down south.
Ric purchased another VW Kombi van in 1973 and had it re-sprayed a gold colour to match the original. The paint job was done by a mate in a Scarborough back yard.
In the 80s Ric sold his wheels (gold Kombi and maroon Jaguar) and headed to Bali to run Cheaters Night Club in Kuta Bali.
Photo Album
1968 Ric with gold Kombi & model at fashion photo shoot Sydney Heads NSW.1968 Ric with gold Kombi and dead snake country NSW.1968 Ric’s gold Kombi on Angourie NSW surf trip.Wayne Williams playing guitar.1968Ric’s gold Kombi on Angourie NSW surf trip.Surfers inc Wayne Williams & Jack Knight NSW.1968 Ric’s gold Kombi at Wilderness Surfboard Factory in Yamba NSW.Renowned surfers and shapers Bob McTavish, George Greenough, Chris Brock, Baddy Treloar (R.I.P.), the Keyes brothers and Brad Mayes (R.I.P.) all served time at Wilderness.1970 Extract of Ric’s ‘Memoirs of a few Months Past’ article in Surf International magazine (March edition).1969 Ric with gold Kombi and surfboards on the Nullarbor Plain heading to WA.1969 Ric sitting on the roof of his gold Kombi on the Nullabor Plain en route to WA.1972 Ric with gold Kombi and GL surfboard in Windmills car park Cape Naturaliste WA.1973 Ric’s gold Kombi No.2 getting a spray job in Scarborough back yard #1.1973 Ric’s gold Kombi No.2 getting a spray job in Scarborough back yard #1.1973 Ric’s gold Kombi No.2 getting a spray job in Scarborough back yard #3.1973 Ric’s gold Kombi No.2 getting a spray job in Scarborough back yard #4.1973 Ric with gold Kombi and camera equipment at WA State Titles Margaret River.1970s Cool hound in Ric’s gold Kombi with unidentified friend Bunbury WA.1970s Sam Saggers in Ric’s gold Kombi with pop-up windscreen at Margaret River.1976 Ric’s gold Kombi parked in surfers point car park Margaret River.1977 Ric’s gold Kombi parked outside shop at Augusta on South Coast surf trip.1970s Ric’s gold Kombi parked in front of Gay Gordons (next to Peters By The Sea) on Scarborough beach front.1970s Ric with his maroon Jaguar and gold Kombi (in background) at his Scarborough rental unit.
Go To Man
In the 70s New Zealand import Ric Chan was the Man To Go To for spectacular surf photos. In the days before jet skis and under water camera housing, Ric would venture into the surf in a row boat to get up close with his subjects.
He also explored music photography with renowned artists, including the Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, ACDC, the Jacksons, Deep Purple, Nina Simone, Santana, Cat Stevens and Elton John. (Source: Surfing Down South book 2014).
Gold Kombi Vans
Around 1965 Ric Chan travelled from his homeland New Zealand to the east coast of OZ to shoot surf pics with his second hand Pentax camera and 600 mm lens..
In NSW he purchased a second hand VW Kombi van and had it painted a gold colour before setting off on a tour of East Coast surf spots shooting surf pics for Surf International (California) magazine articles..
After touring East Coast surf spots for a couple of years, Ric had the Kombi engine reconditioned and drove it across the Nullarbor to WA in 1969.
In WA Ric lived in a rental unit on the beach front at Scarborough and travelled to SW surf spots shooting surfing pics on weekends.
Late 1972 the original gold Kombi’s re-conditioned engine expired after frequent trips down south.
Ric purchased another VW Kombi van in 1973 and had it re-sprayed a gold colour to match the original. The paint job was done by a mate in a Scarborough back yard.
In the 80s Ric sold his wheels (gold Kombi and maroon Jaguar) and headed to Bali to run Cheaters Night Club in Kuta Bali.
Photo Album
Thanks Ric for sharing your vintage photos.
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