Surfing Down South follower Bob Green came across a photo of a vintage bellyboard on social media that was owned by a Brian Rocke. The owner reported surfing the marine ply bellyboard from Cottesloe to Yallingup WA.
It is interesting because the bellyboard appears to have been made by a company called Vela Aqua and may have been sold at local shops.
Brian Rocke’s marine ply bellyboard made by Vela Aqua.Photo courtesyBrian Rocke.
Vela Aqua also made water skis and sold surfboard plans.
2012 James ‘Lik’ Mackenzie in Dunsborough with 1958 Marine Ply hollow Okanui surfboard made by Brian Phelps. Photo Jim ‘Lik’ McKenzie.
Home Made surf shooter boards
North Beach resident historian Chris Holyday. “John ‘Budgie’ Budge and Jim Keenan came along to pioneer stand up skis/boards just after WWII, along with others born in the 1930s! People gravitated to the beaches as it was a fun and a free activity when money was short. And home-made surf shooter boards were cheap to build.”
Extract from Chris Holyday’s latest book Old Scarborough released September 2024.
The foundation of Cottesloe’s Surf Life Saving Club in 1909 gave further impetus to body surfing. It later spread north to City Beach. North Beach Surf Life Saving Club dates from 1926 as Perth summer holiday makers flocked to the northern beaches.
During the 1920s it would seem that Scarborough was developing a strong following for the new sport of “surf shooting” using wooden boards. And Scarborough, blessed with waves breaking a long way out from the shore, would soon become the natural home of surfboard riding in the West.
According to the newspapers, hundreds were using these body boards leading to them being banned in the swimming areas of Scarborough Beach following injuries to bathers. Nevertheless, the newspapers encouraged the growth of these home-made ‘surf shooter’ boards.
Early Scarborough Beach surfers in their woollen costumes and home-made ‘surf shooter’ boards.Brothers Kurvil & Freddy Bartlet on ends, others unidentified. First published Western Mail, 24 January 1929; this enhanced photo courtesy Bob Brown and WA Surf Gallery.1929 Scarborough McGovern’s beach front shop with hire boards on the left and sign out front ‘Showers free with our surfboards’. Photo courtesy McGovern family.1929 Surfers South Scarborough with McGovern’s hire surf shooters (they have ‘Mc’ engraved on them). Photo courtesy C-Breez Kiosk.1932 Boy Scouts with hired surf shooters at their Scarborough camp. Photo courtesy Bob Green.1932 Boy Scouts surfing Scarborough on hired surf shooters. Photo courtesy Bob Green.
So popular was beach swimming and “surf shooting,” the newly formed Scarboro’Surf Life Saving Club had to request the Road Board to enforce regulations to keep surfboards to one area of the beach, away from swimmers.
In January 1937, The Sunday Timesran the following feature in their “Boys and Girls” column. It showed young people how to build their own surfboard, “buoyant enough to carry them through the breakers”:
SURFBOARDS for Summer – by Handicraft
How to Make Your Own
Homemade belly boardsdiagrams.
Many of you will go to the beach for your holidays. If you do, a surfboard will help you to enjoy yourself thoroughly. You can make one easily. The easiest way to construct a free surfboard is to buy a plank of dressed pine measuring 5ft x 15 inches. Shape the board according to the measurements given. If using narrower floor-boards, make battens to fit across the back of the boards at three places, and fasten them into position with several brass screws. It is advisable to use brass screws, because they resist the action of salt water better than iron screws. The shape can then be cut out as shown and the board can be lacquered. Carry the board out into the breakers as far as you wish. When a large wave comes, turn toward the shore and throw yourself with the board on to the crest of the wave. You will be carried swiftly into the shallow water. It is great fun!
Availability ‘Old Scarborough‘ book
Chris Holyday’s Old Scarborough local history book is available at Davey Real Estate at Flora Terrace, North Beach, and at their Scarborough office, also North Beach shops Post Office and at Scarborough – at Sandbar, Livid Skate Cafe and the Surf Boardroom.
Surfing Down South follower Bob Green came across a photo of a vintage bellyboard on social media that was owned by a Brian Rocke. The owner reported surfing the marine ply bellyboard from Cottesloe to Yallingup WA.
It is interesting because the bellyboard appears to have been made by a company called Vela Aqua and may have been sold at local shops.
Vela Aqua also made water skis and sold surfboard plans.
Do it yourself Okanui Surfboard
Click on link to view Vela Aqua plans for building your own 10ft plywood Okanui Surfboard (Courtesy Surfresearch.com.au).
Home Made surf shooter boards
North Beach resident historian Chris Holyday. “John ‘Budgie’ Budge and Jim Keenan came along to pioneer stand up skis/boards just after WWII, along with others born in the 1930s! People gravitated to the beaches as it was a fun and a free activity when money was short. And home-made surf shooter boards were cheap to build.”
Extract from Chris Holyday’s latest book Old Scarborough released September 2024.
The foundation of Cottesloe’s Surf Life Saving Club in 1909 gave further impetus to body surfing. It later spread north to City Beach. North Beach Surf Life Saving Club dates from 1926 as Perth summer holiday makers flocked to the northern beaches.
During the 1920s it would seem that Scarborough was developing a strong following for the new sport of “surf shooting” using wooden boards. And Scarborough, blessed with waves breaking a long way out from the shore, would soon become the natural home of surfboard riding in the West.
According to the newspapers, hundreds were using these body boards leading to them being banned in the swimming areas of Scarborough Beach following injuries to bathers. Nevertheless, the newspapers encouraged the growth of these home-made ‘surf shooter’ boards.
So popular was beach swimming and “surf shooting,” the newly formed Scarboro’Surf Life Saving Club had to request the Road Board to enforce regulations to keep surfboards to one area of the beach, away from swimmers.
In January 1937, The Sunday Times ran the following feature in their “Boys and Girls” column. It showed young people how to build their own surfboard, “buoyant enough to carry them through the breakers”:
SURFBOARDS for Summer – by Handicraft
How to Make Your Own
Many of you will go to the beach for your holidays. If you do, a surfboard will help you to enjoy yourself thoroughly. You can make one easily. The easiest way to construct a free surfboard is to buy a plank of dressed pine measuring 5ft x 15 inches. Shape the board according to the measurements given. If using narrower floor-boards, make battens to fit across the back of the boards at three places, and fasten them into position with several brass screws. It is advisable to use brass screws, because they resist the action of salt water better than iron screws. The shape can then be cut out as shown and the board can be lacquered. Carry the board out into the breakers as far as you wish. When a large wave comes, turn toward the shore and throw yourself with the board on to the crest of the wave. You will be carried swiftly into the shallow water. It is great fun!
Availability ‘Old Scarborough‘ book
Chris Holyday’s Old Scarborough local history book is available at Davey Real Estate at Flora Terrace, North Beach, and at their Scarborough office, also North Beach shops Post Office and at Scarborough – at Sandbar, Livid Skate Cafe and the Surf Boardroom.
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