The 60s was a time of great change in surfboard manufacture and functionality requirements.
Early WA surfboard manufacturers were the Cordingley Bros, Dibben & Cole (Len Dibben & Leon Cole), King & Cole (Barry King & Brian Cole), Len Dibben, Hawke Bros, Jacko, Blaxell & West Coast surfboards.
2006 WA Surfer of Year Awards. Len Dibben Surfboard Manufacturers Award. Photo courtesy the late Brian Cole. L-RBrian Cole, Leon Cole, Len Dibben, Len Hawke, Tom Blaxell, Peter Hawke, John Jakovich & Murray Smith.
Design developments
During this period surfboard designs evolved quickly and by the mid to late 60s surfboard were getting shorter and designs were going out of fashion within 3 months.
Materials changed from Balsa wood to Polyurethane foam and fibreglass. Multiple wooden stringers were replaced with stronger stringer-less foam blanks.
Shapes changed from 9ft plus Malibu’s to shorter, narrower craft with varying outlines curves and optional flyers.
Bottom contours changed from rolled to flat with vees, concaves and varying rockers.
Rails changed from 50/50 round to 80/20 low rails and optional chine rails.
Tails changed from square to round, squash, diamond and pin tails.
Fins changed from single D fins to George Greenough’s design fins in 1966 and then small twin fins by 1969.
The 60s was a time of great change in surfboard manufacture and functionality requirements.
Early WA surfboard manufacturers were the Cordingley Bros, Dibben & Cole (Len Dibben & Leon Cole), King & Cole (Barry King & Brian Cole), Len Dibben, Hawke Bros, Jacko, Blaxell & West Coast surfboards.
L-R Brian Cole, Leon Cole, Len Dibben, Len Hawke, Tom Blaxell, Peter Hawke, John Jakovich & Murray Smith.
Design developments
During this period surfboard designs evolved quickly and by the mid to late 60s surfboard were getting shorter and designs were going out of fashion within 3 months.
Materials changed from Balsa wood to Polyurethane foam and fibreglass. Multiple wooden stringers were replaced with stronger stringer-less foam blanks.
Shapes changed from 9ft plus Malibu’s to shorter, narrower craft with varying outlines curves and optional flyers.
Bottom contours changed from rolled to flat with vees, concaves and varying rockers.
Rails changed from 50/50 round to 80/20 low rails and optional chine rails.
Tails changed from square to round, squash, diamond and pin tails.
Fins changed from single D fins to George Greenough’s design fins in 1966 and then small twin fins by 1969.
Click on link to view story
————————
Share this:
Like this: