Delaminator Rebirth as The Carbonator

You may recall the story of the Dude and the Dominator.  How oldfartsurfer No. 12 was having a peaceful surf at a sunny 3' beach break on his brand new Firewire Dominator and the bottom layer of fibreglass just stripped off.  The Dominator was renamed the Delaminator.

(New carbon fibre bottom to the Carbonator)

 After futile attempts pleading his case with the local retailer for a replacement or repair he finally took matters into his own hands and fixed it with carbon fibre.  Don't forget the Dude is the mastersurfcraftsman.  He can turn himself to any surf craft including beautiful hand made hollow timber surfboards, foam and fibreglass boards and now high performance yachts. 

(Original deck of the Dominator)

 "We christened it the Carbonator" said the Dude, "The board is so strong now you could drive a truck over it" said the Dude.  Plus its got a really cool black bottom".  However, he said "the carbon fibre is a strong material and it may have reduced the famous Firewire flex, but not to worry -  it goes"

(The Dude lands a carbonated air)

On his first outing with the new Carbonator pulled some big airs and floaters.  Witnessing from the beach, Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mex (OFSC no. 4) said "It looks like The Dude has given that old board a new lease of life, or is it the board giving the Dude some new energy, whatever it takes two to tango and its great to see".  "The Old Farts Surf Co. is planning a complete range of recycled carbonated boards to save the planet" the Mex went on.  "Not only are we reducing land fill but we are sequesting carbon in these boards which will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the surf industry.  We might even plant some basil and a few tomatoes"
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Sea Trials Bob the Bobsled 2

Oldfartsurfer No 45, Rouge, was so inspired by the Mexican's (OFSC NO. 4) performance on Bob the 7' McTavish Bobsled that he invested heavily in getting one for himself.  Rouge sent through the following comments from the initial sea trials of Bob 2.

"Went to Manlys this morning and swam 1 km with some mates from Shelley into Manly beach (we are training for the Cole Classic ocean swim on sun 5th Feb.).  chucked my board in the car, so I could catch a wave after the swim.

(Rouge getting to grips with the way Bob 2 turns)

My mate had his camera on hand and ripped off a few shots.  1' swell, light onshore.  Bob revelled in the conditions .  Still getting to grips with the board, strange the way it turns ..." 

(Rouge not on carving Bob 2)

When the Mex queried Rouge on the turning the oldfartsurfer replied "it just doesn't carve like my old board" .

A few weeks later, after a bit of practice, Rouge the following photos through:

 According to Rouge "Nice waves this morning at South Narra.  Local surf photog guy was there and I got snapped.  The session finished with me drilling a hole in the back of my head.  Spilt a bit of claret, not damage to Bob Though.  There was also another old fart with a Bobsled" .  Rouge downloaded the photos from http://www.surfphotosofyou.com.au/ 

(Rouge getting the hang of Bob 2)

Can Bob 2 carve and Rouge just needed to make some adjustments for the quad fin set up?  Judging by the stylish photos of Rouge it seems he is coming to grips with Bob 2.  Could it be that Rouge is so stylish and accomplisted he can ride anything?  It takes two to tango.  We would like to hear the oldfartsurfer No. 45's view.

(Rouge and Bob 2 in the groove together at last)

The Old Farts Surf Co. wishes Rouge a speedy revocery from the hole in his head and hope he didn't loose too much gray matter.

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Rouge Rocks Baulkan Hills

The Oldfartsurfer has received further contributions from roving reporter, Rouge (OFSC No. 45).  After the superb photojournalism in his previous article on the Bobby Brown Memorial Paddle Out and Single Fin Contest at Sandon Point, he has submitted some unique photos and a You Tube recording of his recent performance at the Bull & Bush jam night at Baulkan Hills in Sydney's west. 

(Rock god Rouge, aka Open Mike)

Going by name Open Mike, Rouge snuck into the pub and put his name on the list.  He sent the attached photos and a link to the You Tube posting of the event with the following message:

"Bull n Bush jam night. Vocals/guitar - Nick. Bass - Tim. Drums - Anthony. Not bad considering (a) we've never played together, and (b) they'd never heard of the song. Taken from the dance production Catherine Wheel (Twyla Tharp, 1981)." 

The Oldfartsurfer's sources say that it is the best performance seen at the Bull & Bush since last year and certainly one of Rouge's greatest recorded solo live performances.

(Open Mike & Tim)

Followers of the Old Farts Surf Co. may remember that Open (Mike) was a former member of the infamous band Crosseyed & Painless who were regular performers at the Mt. Tom Price pub in the early 80's.  The special 30th Anniversary release of the  Crosseyed's seminal album "Live at Tom Price 1981" was reviewed by the Oldfartsurfer last year. 

Stay Stoked - Oldfartsurfer

Click here to see the video of Open Mike's performance at the Bull & Bush.

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Mastersurfcraftsman Flips Three Man Board

The Dude (OFSC No 12), also known as the Mastersurfcraftsman has created a new surf vehicle that will take no less than three oldfartsufers on wild rides surfing waves downwind.  "The oldfartsurfers have explored team waves where we can get as many as five oldfartsurfers catching a straighthander at once" said the Dude, "now I'm taking this to a new level where we can get five oldfartsurfers on the same board all catching the same wave at the same time".
Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican (OFSC No 4), said "this is taking the company into new realms of possibility, an extension of our line of hollow timber surfboards for big boys"
Click on this link to check a team of ten oldfarsurfers getting some air and doing a flip.
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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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