Surf Photo Copyright Scandle Swells

Avid readers of the Old Farts Surf Co. blog may be aware of our quiet little web site.  Fairly innocuous you might think, however, recently it has become embroiled in a copyright controversy that is set rock the electronic media universe.  The controversy surrounds a couple of photos used on the site including the following photo which appears on the home page:

(One of the controversial photos)

The drama unfolded when the Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican, received the following facebook message from Wild Hog, the founder of the famous facebook page Talking Surfing History in Tasmania  (aka Talking S.H.i.T.):

 Hi Mex,
I was just alerted to the fact that you are using some photos from our facebook history site on your website.  It would appear they have simply been lifted off our facebook site due to the pixilation of them.  I'd appreciate if you'd do the right thing and remove them, unless you got approval from Briels for the use of his photos on a commercial site.  Maybe you're just mucking around with them on your web site as I can see its not finished yet.
Whilst we are flattered that you have chosen to go down the history path using local photos from our site, I would have thought a point of difference might have been the way to go.
Cheers Mate.
Wild Hog

Taking Umbrage at these farcical allegations the Mex responded:
Hog, Rocky gave me those photos a few years ago and I was unaware there was any sensitivity around them.  Having said that I specifically asked the guy who set up the site (as a favour) to replace them with some of my own about 18 months ago but unfortunately he has gone AWOL along with the info on how to access and edit the site.  I certainly didn't lift them from your site and I had them posted before they appeared on it, and in some other publications.  My site hasn't changed for about 2 years because I haven't the expertise to deal with it.  I haven't been pushing my site because it was never really complete to my satisfaction.  I will have another crack at changing it.  There is a photo of Rockhead I cut out of one of the photos that is posted on the blog on 1 June 2009.  Rest assured that I would not copy photos from your S.H.i.T site without asking or if I received them from another source.
Cheers,
Mex.
PS - it is a great honour to have my site called "commercial", I prefer to think of it as an expression of the altruistic element in my personality.

(A young Rockhead and beer)

Hi Mex, Thanks for the update. Rock filled me in last night on how you got the pictures. Really sorry for jumping to conclusions on how you got them. The photos aren't Rocks to give actually, they are John Brierleys photos, so he's the guy you possibly should talk to if you decide to go further with your site.
cheers mate
Wild Hog

 

No worries, gives me some fodder for the blog. I hope you won't mind if I didn't let the truth get in the way of a good story.

Cheers,
 Mex

Hog, FYI, the guy who did my web site apparently turned himself in for topping his mother in Launceston a few days ago. Could be a while before I get access!

Oh S*#$!!! Not good to hear. Was she ill and it was a helped suicide, or simply a rush of blood do you reckon.

Hog

Of course the Old Farts Surf Co. has its own original photos such as the classic below that appeared on the back page of the 2012 Old Farts Surf Co. Calendar:

(Rouge, Graham, Maurice and Agent 66 at Southport 1975)

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Moose's Super Mum in Hawaii

The Oldfartsurfer has to state here and now that THIS IS NOT A SUP BLOG.  Just because we've published two blogs in a row featuring oldfartsurfers riding SUPs along with previous features of Oldfartsurfer No. 6, Spot, and the Oldfartsurfer No. 4, Mex, riding SUPs, doesn't mean that we have departed from our fundamental value of STAYING STOKED on surfing.  However, staying stoked sometimes involves all manner of oldfartsurfcraft and this time we are honoring Oldfartsurfer No. 33, Moose's Mum (MM), aka Supermum, or Superb Susan.

(Moose's Mum paddles out)

Having toured Australia a couple of years ago and learnt to surf under the tutelage of Spot on an east coast oldfartsurfsurfari, MM has pursued a range of endeavours including marathon running in a quest to get stoked surfing.  She recently undertook an expeditionary oldfartsurfsurfari to the home of modern surf stoke, Hawaii, in order to hone her oldfartsurfing skills.  "I'm planning to take on Sunset and Pipe next year" said the supermum.  "After that I plan to paddle into Jaws".

(Moose's Mum paddles in)

MM is planning to prepare for these feats by competing in the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon.  "'The fitter you are the more stoked you can be' is my motto" said the supermum, "staying stoked is all about wave count and wave size". Her theory is that the fitter she is, the more big waves she can catch, and we can't argue with that logic.  Old fart Surf Co. Head Honcho, the Mex, said "MM is an inspiration to oldfartsurfers around the world, its never too late to start surfing and getting stoked"

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Agent 66 Makes a Comeback

Its been about 40 years since Oldfartsurfer No. 66 (aka Agent 66 or A66 for short) was an active oldfartsurfer.  In those days he was the main dude, hosting Rouge (OFSC No. 45) and the Mex (OFSC No. 4) at the family beach shack, he was an expert guitar player and a man of means from an early age.

(Retired, Agent 66 gets his inspiration over a beer)

For reasons not given to the Oldfartsurfer, Agent 66 drifted away from surfing at an early age.  There was the reunion session at Roaring Beach about 10 years ago when Rouge came back to town, however, there have been no other reported sightings of ol 'A66 at the beach since the mid 70's.

(Agent 66 and his tentative first step)

Being a man of means, A66 has retired to a life of luxury at an early age.  One of the first things he he did was call his ol' buddy Rouge.  "Hey Rouge, I've retired and want to get stoked like a true oldfartsurfer again" Rouge said he said.  "Get up here straight away and I'll get you back on a board" A66 said Rouge said.

(Agent 66 up and going)

"To ease A66 back into being stoked I thought I would introduce him to these new fangled SUP boards." said Rouge.  "He took to it like a duck on a lake".  According to mastersurffitnessguru, OFSC No. 6, Spot, "the theory is to get his fitness and balance re-trained and restore his natural athleticism, then introduce him back into the surf."

(A babe asks Agent 66 for a ride)

A66 was thrilled with his new found skill.  He paddled up and down the lake striking a handsome and athletic figure.  As you might expect, our man soon attracted a hot babe who waded out from the shore to greet him as he paddled past.  "Hey there big boy" she said with a wink and cheeky grin.  Not to be distracted, A66 said "Sorry babe, lovely to meet you but I'm on a mission from Rouge, and if you don't mind I'll be on my way" dipped his cap and he just kept on paddling.

(Not distracted Agent 66 paddles out across the lake)

A66 reported to the Oldfartsurfer that he now understood the essence of staying stoked.  Not that he hadn't been stoked for the past 40 years, he just hadn't smelt its essence.  "I'm hitting it big time from now on" he told the Oldfartsurfer. 

(Agent 66 returns after his big comeback)

After the SUP paddling stoke renewal session the boys headed off to the nearest oldfartsurfcafe' for a skinny soy latte surf capacino and obligatory ginger nut snaps.  "There is no better way to finish a day on the water" said A66.  "Yeah" Rouge nodded knowingly.

(Agent 66 returns after establishing his comeback with the media) 

(Agent 66 doing what he has done best for the past 30 years)

(Agent 66 & Rouge head back out for another session)

(Post comeback SUP session, Agent 66 & Rouge, oldfartsurfbuddies)

 

(Agent 66 in coffee Connoisseur mode, celebrating his big comeback)

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Patty Hits Back with Amazing Images to Win Inauguaral OFSC Surf Photography Competition

In an awesome display of steely resolve, coming back from being slighted by The Advocate when they infringed his copy rights, mastersurfphotographer Patti has won the inaugural Old Farts Surf Co. Surf Photography Competition.  Head Judge & Jury, The Mexican, commented that "Patti had captured the essence of oldfartsurfing in a competitive environment with his series of photos taken at the recent West Coast Classic 2012 at Marrawah."  "Awesome " was all Patti could say when receiving the award at the red carpet gala awards night.  Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican said that in his opinion int he future The Advocate would have to pay four times what they paid for the original photo of teenage surfing sensation Zoe Gray winning the Women's division for the third time.
The following are a few selected photos from Patti's series titled "the essence of oldfartsurfing in a  competitive environment."

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Stylish Dan

For those fortunate enough to have a copy of the highly sought after Old Farts Surf Co. 2012 Calender you may want to remember to turn the page to April for the feature photo of Stylish Dan.

Son of Oldfartsurfer No. 23, Macho, as a young teenager, Dan is already showing attributes of his old man's style.  Taken last April at the Old Farts Surf Co. 2011 Easter Classic, the photo shows Dan in the perfect crouch position developed by Macho gliding his old man's Mal a glassy point wave.  Notice the board placement in the speed slot of the wave, the leading forearm, and the alignment of the trailing elbow and knee.  In addition to being an evolving soul surfer, Dan is also a budding musician pumping some original music out of the "pickers hut" with his young mates.  This will not be the last time you have heard of Stylish Dan as according to Old Farts Surf co. Head Honcho, The Mexican, "age is no barrier to being an oldfartsurfer, its a deeply spiritual thing, and Dan's style is ageless"
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Storm Brewing over Surf Photo Copyright

It was fantastic to read on the back page of the North West Tasmanian local paper, The Advocate, that local surfer Zoe Grey won the 37th annual Rip Curl West Coast Classic at Marrawah for a record third consecutive year.  Not a bad effort for a 16 year old!    The back page  even had a top photo of her ripping a backhand re-entry with style and aplomb.

(The back page of The Advocate featuring Zoe)

However, according to Old Farts Surf Co. Head Honcho, The Mexican (OFSC No. 4),  not so fantastic was the absence of credit given to the photographer for his fantastic shot.  "Known for its progressive style and ground breaking local journalism, The Advocate really let themselves down on this one" said Mex.  "The photographer was Zoe's main dude and masteroldfartsurfphotographer, Paddy, son of Oldfartsurfer No. 16, and he's my nephew."

(The photo of Zoe without a credit of photographer Paddy)

Recently returned from his photographic tour of Europe, Paddy said "I was quietly peeved at the lack of credit, however, I realised that those who know who took the photo know who took the photo, and they are the important people to me".  Speaking with Zen like wisdom, Paddy went on to say "I will learn from this." 
The Old Farts Surf Co. supports the moral and copyrights of surf photographers around the world.
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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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