I've only seen photo's, but it will soon be on display at Bird's Surf Shed. It is my personal 1971, nine foot long, by twenty inch wide Waimea Gun. The board was made for 30 foot Waimea. It has the Surf Systems label on it, with a clip from the Hawaii state flag. This is the ONLY foam gun I ever made in these dimensions. It is a point and shoot needle. I was just thirty years old, when I made that board. I often wondered what ever became of that surfboard. That board is now 48 years old. Tempis fugit.
That’s awesome!!
Hope I can check it out when I’m down there next
"We ain't on our way to Wembley,we ain't gonna win the league. No matter how much they let us down - Westham's still our team"...
I hope someone posts photos of the board.
Did u evr sirf it, en da wild sirf o waimeia?
So, how did the board end up coming full circle? Was it Bird that brought it home? Pretty cool
So i’m wondering about the board after you left the North Shore. If you didn’t surf it in 72 , did you bring it back to the Mainland? Did you ride it on the Mainland? Maybe big Windansea or La Jolla Cove? Did you sell the board? What happened to it after you got it back to the Mainland? Foam board, what stringer set up and fin?
That which can be assorted without evidence was read in an illegal magazine.
And, what condition is it in now?
We be a dying fer dem pics.
I’ve got a pile of old magazines laying in a corner at the shop. I ran across an old Surf systems add recently.
That which can be assorted without evidence was read in an illegal magazine.
I think I posted this before, years ago?
An old scan of an ad related to you, Bill.
From 1971
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merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assorted
Aloha Sammy,
Yes, that was the fin system I designed, developed, and marketed. I had not seen that ad before. I gave the system to Billy Caster, and Phil Castignola, and they formed Sea Sea Distributers. The name refers to the first letter of thier last names. Instead of C C Distributors. In Sept of 1971, I closed Surf Systems, and went into real estate. When I say I gave the system to them, I did exactly that. I never made anything from the system after that. I was glad to see them get some mileage out of it. Both Phil and Billy were two of the nicest people I ever dealt with in the surfing industry. I was saddend by thier early passing.
Phil was a great guy and Select Surf Shop was core. All the best boards by all the Local Boys. Hamel’s Shop at the Pier and Bill Andrews and G&S down the street. Tug’s on Thur. night and Maynard’s Fri. The Point or the Pier every morning.
That which can be assorted without evidence was read in an illegal magazine.
When I was a kid I use to hang out at their shop on Midway dr in the old lumber yard. They had to move down the street when the freeway got built over the old shop.
I’ll look for it again. Got a bunch of Mags From that era . Bought a guys collection a few years ago. Seems like I would remember the Orange thing. I’ll take another look. It was pretty recently. It’s probably laying on top of the pile.
That which can be assorted without evidence was read in an illegal magazine.
You know I love my 7' Surf Systems! Does the gun have the same logo? Are there other "Surf Systems" logos that you used?
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Aloha Smokey,
What you have there is a 1969 Surf Systems. That lettering font was called Caliope, and we only used it in 1969. The 9 foot gun has a different letter font, along the deckside stringer, with a clip from the Hawaii State Flag. I hope to have photo's this week.
I went by Bird's shop today, Tuesday, expecting to see the board. It has not been delivered yet. Bird says it will be some time this week. So, as soon as I know, I'll report it here.
Today, Wednsday, Bird called to let me know that the board is in his shop. I'm going to go there tomorrow. It's been a long time, since I've seen that surfboard.
Bird posted the board up on his Instagram page. Great looking board in what appears to be really good condition considering it’s age.
He has some really nice things to say about you too Bill.
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Aloha Huck,
Thank you for posting up the photo's from Bird's site. I went by his shop today, Thursday, his day off, so did not see him. But, I did see the board. I was impressed. It has held up well. I hope that after the board is repaired, that Bird or someone gets that board into some significant sized waves.
Sweet one. Makes me think of a board my brother had custom shaped by Harold Iggy in the mid 70's. If Bill's board was a pin it would look almost the same, but his is a bit longer.
Check out the leash and attachment. This was back in the early days of leashes. We used a long nylon cord inside of surgical rubber. These were deadly and I never used one in bigger days.
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I had a little business making those surgical tubing leashes with a leather ankle strap in 1972 in Huntington Beach. All the shops on Main Street were selling them.
That is very nice. My loss that I didn’t buy an Iggy when I had the chance.
That which can be assorted without evidence was read in an illegal magazine.
Cool story, Bill. Amazing how it came full circle. Mike
Mr Bill - That board is a beauty!
The subject surfboard came to Bird, without a fin. The board will be finned with a 7 5/8th inch deep fin, with a 6 inch base. The fin is hollow, with black walnut scales, and is just under one inch thick. It is very well foiled, by Bill Obayashi @ FU. He has been foiling fins since at least 1967/68. The fin will have a hydrodynamic matte finish. The board will be surfed by Bird, after it is made water tight. He is not planning to do a cosmetic restoration. It has been fun, being re-involved with this surfboard.
bitchen lookin board, Bill, shaped with serious intentions
how we love surfboards, the totems of our tribe
run the hand down the rail of a cherished ride and the memory floodgates open
when the time draws near, will keep my early 60's Wardy parked where I can see it
gonna take my last ride on her, all the way to the other side
Gotta take that one last ride...........................
No; It's not an ironing board.