Oldfartsurfers Gather at Sandon Point

Oldfartsurfer Rouge (OFSC No.45) and his main squeeze, Hot Stuff (OFSC No. 58 - aka Madam Rouge), went on an oldfartsurfsafari last year.  They came across a group of oldfartsurfers having an oldfartsurfing event at Sandon Point.  Rouge sent the photos with the following message:

"Hot Stuff  & I just returned from a tour of Syd-Melb via Princes Hwy.  On our first day, we called in to Sandon Point (north of the Gong) and just happened to come across the is amazing event - I'm sure this was sanctioned by you!

http://bobbybrownsurfinglegend.com/blog/

cheers"

 (A tribe of genuine oldfartsurfers about to paddle out)

Well Rouge was right, The Old Farts Surf Co. has sanctioned this event, albeit posthumourously!  How could we not?  You only have to check these dudes out to know they are genuine, if not official, oldfartsurfers.

Of particular note is the dedication to riding real oldfartsurfing equipment and displaying trophies previously won by genuine oldfartsurfers like Andrew McKinnon, Frank Latta and Australia's first world champion Midget Farrelly.  The Mexican (OFSC No. 4) recalls having a 6' Farrelly tri fin in 1971, 10 years before they were invented by Simon Anderson. 

 (Oldfartsurfboards to be proud of)

It appears, from the Bobby Brown link Rouge provided, that he had stumbled on the Bobby Brown Memorial Paddle Out and Single Fin Contest.  A brilliant surfer in the 60's, Bobby died young and a travelling exhibition and events commemorate his life.  Check out the link he provided for a bit of history.

(A real oldfartsurfer's trophy) 

 (McKinnon, Latta & Farrelly - oldfartsurfer pedigree)

 (Check out the spray job on this stinger under the arm of an oldfartsurfgrommet!)

(This pin tail was meant for riding big walls)

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East Coast Magic Chapter 2

This is the third installment of photos from Ol' Pete.  It is the second location he visited on the east coast during the big swell.

Click here to see the previous installment from Ol' Pete's photographic sojourn.
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Morning of the Earth - Live - Reviewed

Morning of the Earth could be the greatest surf movie ever made.  In fact it could just be the greatest movie ever made.  In fact the Oldfartsurfer thinks everything made in 1972 was the greatest thing ever made other than his custom Oceans 6'6" twin fin that was made in 1978. Morning of the Earth is also blessed with the greatest sound track ever recorded.  What a year to be 15 - Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers, CSNY Deja Vu, Neil Young's After the Goldrush, Who's Next, Jethro Tull, - how good was it back then!.    But this movie set the standard, it is,to quote the title song, "the measure of our lives".
For those who don't remember (brains fried) or who weren't there, this movie just showed surfers surfing and hanging out, no narration, just set to a sensational original sound track.  If you asked what the story was or "what was it all about" you'd missed the point.  The theme was "keep it simple", and, there were no leg ropes!  It moves from Australia, to Bali to Oahu with sensational surfing by some of the greatest ever oldfartsurfers including Terry Fitzgerald, Michael Peterson, Gerry Lopez, Rusty Miller and Nat Young.  The surfing is interspersed with local lifestyle scenes of rustic living in northern NSW, cockfights and even smoking weed in Bali.  Bazaar you might think, however, what makes all this work is the original soundtrack that complements the surfing and the feel of the film.
The Oldfartsurfer has two vinyl records and a CD of the soundtrack and it is also installed on his Ipod and IPhone.  When it came out on CD he put it straight in the car stereo and played it all the way home.  It was like meeting an old friend and reminiscing about the good old days.  Every note and sound was still perfectly in place. 
In this production, the movie is screened with live music and was first performed about a year ago but unfortunately the Oldfartsurfer missed it.  So when a second tour of performances was advertised a few months ago he was determined not to miss it again. It was put on the bucket list and the best tickets immediately purchased for the performance at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne.  Could this production live up to the standards set in 1972?
Arriving at the theatre the Oldfartsurfer noticed two distinct groups.  Firstly the oldfartsurfers, their wives and some of their offspring. Their average age would have put them older than 15 in 1972. Included in this group he would include some younger oldfartsurfers, perhaps they were 15 in 2002, however, he would still classify them as oldfartsurfers for just turning up.  The second group were four models, two male, two female, posing in cool Rip Curl and Billabong gear over some spotlessly painted and polished Sandman panel vans doing some media stunt.  Neither the models, the cars or the clothing companies were around around in 1972.
Given his predisposition to liking all things about the original Morning of the Earth, there was the potential for the Oldfartsurfer to be bitterly disappointed if things didn't quite measure up.  You will pleased to know that the show put a stupid grin on the Oldfartsurfers's face from beginning to end.  In fact he was almost tempted to break into song in a public place.  Thank Huey he didn't as the band and the singers managed to deliver on their end of the bargain.
Brian Cadd's voice may have been a little scratchy trying to reach a couple of the high notes on the first song and the descending orchestral riff was missing from the theme song, but overall, it was a great show.  They had edited the film a little and added some new footage of Dave Rastovich and Hannah, his mermaid missus, but listening to the music live while watching the big screen certainly gave a great experience.  Brian Cadd, Tim Gaze and Mike Rudd all performed their original songs and contemporary artists Lior and Gyan were wonderfully matched to deliver songs by G Wayne Thomas and others.
The highlight of the performance was when all the artists came on stage just before intermission to share verses of the two chord classic Simple Ben.  This was repeated in the encore for a good old singalong.
Attending Morning of the Earth, the Oldfartsurfer missed, what was reported to be the highlight of the Mona Foma Festival, when Brian Richie, the Dresden Dolls, Mike Harvey (of PJ) performed Violent Femmes songs.  Any regrets - no!
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The Sugden Tapes - The Oldfartsurfer Interviews Aspiring Politician James Sugden

OK, we've teased you enough and now its time to get serious and finally reveal who James Sugden is.  The reality is he is a mate of the The Mexican, and while the Old Farts Surf Co. is generally apolitical, James has a good set of values and we thought we would throw our considerable political weight behind him in his bid as an independent candidate for the Tasmanian Legislative Council seat of Hobart.

 As an independent, James doesn't have the political party machinery behind him. He'll get his placards out there, he's set up web, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter sites and will be door knocking the suburbs, however, we thought that by publishing this interview it would give people an opportunity to find out more about James, his values and character.

To read the full interview click on the following link:
http://www.jamessugden.com.au/events/surferinterview.htm

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Spot Rides Again

In transit from the tropical north to join Moose (OFSC No. 5) and his fan base in Canada, Spot (OFSC No. 6), has dropped in on The Mexican (OFSC No. 4) for some lessons on how to ride Sammy the 9'6" McTavish SUP.  "Its part of my goal of being an all round waterman" said the enthusiastic student, "plus my Canuck fan base really want to see me pushing boundaries".

(Spot makes his first tentative foray into wave SUP riding in small surf)

"Most riders try flat water to get a feel for Sammy before taking him in the surf" said Mex.  "However, Spot was pretty keen to get started so we put him in the surf from the start and he handled the small stuff pretty well for a beginner"

(Mex demonstrates timing his run for the wave)

 The  next day the swell picked up and Spot was hungry to try some big surf on Sammy.  "The Mex gave me a demonstration of how it was done first" said Spot.  "He showed how it was all about timing and positioning your run for the wave and then using your footwork on the Board so it wouldn't catch an edge or nose dive"

(Mex's footwork on the board, note the considerable weight on the back foot)

After the brief demonstration by the Mex, Spot got out there for a crack at some of the bigger waves.  "Initially Spot had a bit of trouble with his timing" said Mex, "He had a tendency to paddle too early and the waves broke on the back of his board, knocking him off"

(One of Spots early attempts, getting the timing wrong)

Regarding the student's progress, Mex commented "Once Spot started timing his run for the wave he got the opportunity to understand how footwork was needed to find the sweet spot in the face of the wave to get speed, and once you have speed the wave is your oyster"

(Spot gets his timing right and takes off on a big wave)

 "After a few nose dives and then catching the outside edge of the board I think I started to understand the finer art of SUP riding" said Spot, "I've got a couple more weeks to practice before I head to Tofino to show my Canuck fan base my extended repertoire."

(Spot using good footwork to pull off this massive bottom turn)

News from Canada is that that Spot will get a warm welcome and that officials are concerned that the associated  rise in temperature could ruin the rest of the ski season.
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East Coast Magic Chapter 1

(This photo gives a hint to where in the world these photos were taken)

This is the second installment of the east coast magic photos taken by Ol' Pete a couple of years ago during a big east coast swell. 

These photos are taken at the first location Ol' Pete visited during the big east swell. 

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OFSC Easter Classic 2011 - Macho, his Progeny & the Oldfartsurfcaddy

(Macho purveys and grins as his progeny perform)

 "Why aren't you out here?" yelled Mex (OFSC No. 4) from the lineup as he paddled Sammy the 9'6" McTavish SUP back out for another 400m ride. "Waitin' on the oldfartsurfcaddy to arrive with the oldfartsurfingvehicles" was the response from Macho (OFSC No. 23). "and I'm havin' fun watchin' the progeny mixing it up with the big boys like Ol' Pete, Rouge & Spot."

(Little Macho paddles for set wave and Stylish Dan scratches over the top)

As Macho and Mex were speaking, Little Macho the Miniature Surf Sprog launched into a set wave. Initially it looked like he was a bit unbalanced, but then he pulled a massive 3G bottom turn that launched him down the line with speed and left footprints in the deck of he board.

(Little Macho gets to his feet)

(Little Macho leans it to a 3G bottom turn)

(Little Macho slides down the line with speed generated from his bottom turn)

"Did you see that?" yelled Macho. "Yeah, looks just like you Macho" replied Mex."You would have to look far to find a better oldfartsurfing role model than Macho" Mex commented as older Macho sprog, Stylish Dan, took off on the next wave and weaved his way down the point showing maturity of style learned from years of watching his old man in action.

(Stylish Dan, the future of oldfartsurfing)

"A lot of water under the board developing that style and these kids today pick it up so easily" said the old sage Macho to a couple of seagulls who would have preferred a couple of chips than ramblings of an olfartsurfer.  As he spoke the Oldfartsurfcaddy appeared out of the bushes and Macho's eye's lit up with a grin.  It was his turn now.

(the oldfartsurfcaddy arrives with the oldfartsurfingvehicles)

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