Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
Simon Anderson invented Thruster 30 years ago
Monday, 19 July 2010 14:10

Simon Anderson: three is the magic number

This year marks the 30-year anniversary of legendary Australian surfer and shaper Simon Anderson's seminal Thruster surfboard design. On August 14 & 15 Sacred Craft will honor Simon Anderson during the Tribute to the Masters Shape-off presented by US Blanks.

"Simon Anderson's surfing suited single-fins, but the events at the time were all being won on twins. Frustration led him to consider a weird-looking mix -- three smaller fins, one set three inches from the tail, the other two set 11 inches up and on either rail a la the twinnie," explained surf historian/writer Nick Carroll.

"The first Thruster, made in October 1980, went with Anderson to Hawaii that winter, then on to California, where he convinced Nectar's Gary McNabb to make a Thruster model. Back in Sydney, he went to work at his own factory, Energy, and made two more Thrusters. On one of his boards, he won the Bells-Coke double again, and surfing history took its biggest turn since polyurethane foam".

"Simon never took full commercial advantage of his Thruster concept. 'I'm too lazy' was his judgment, but perhaps closer to the truth is that it was never in his nature to deny others a chance to enjoy their surfing."

The six shapers, which will include defending champion Pat Rawson, will be asked to replicate the Thruster that Anderson rode during his legendary 1981 Bells Beach victory, an event that featured the largest waves ever ridden during that historic contest.

"I'm very stoked to have the Thruster's 30-year anniversary honored at Sacred Craft," said Australia's Simon Anderson. "It'll be good fun to get back to the States and see some old friends and see what is happening with board design over there."

“US Blanks is once again proud to be a part of the Sacred Craft Expo and the Tribute to the Masters Shape-Off honoring Simon Anderson. We feel that Simon is the perfect honoree for this year’s Tribute as his contributions to design and innovation have certainly left a profound and lasting mark on the industry.”

The Sacred Craft Consumer Surfboard Expo is open to the public and takes place August 14 & 15 at the award winning 'Sail Pavilion' in the San Diego Convention Center. Sacred Craft includes live shaping, laminating, art, music, film, book signings, legends, and hundreds of world-class surfboard shapers, designers and lovers of the craft.

Source: Surfboard Show


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

The best surf watches in the world
Wave Height Forecast
Wind Speed and Direction Forecast
Wave Period
Surf Videos
Surf Books
Surf Movies
Online Surfing Games

SURFING

Jordy Smith wins the Billabong Rio Pro 2013
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

Jordy Smith has conquered the Billabong Pro Rio 2013, in clean two-to-four foot (1 meter) waves, at the primary site of Barra da Tijuca, in front of thousands of surf fans.
The best ocean conditions of the entire Billabong Pro Rio 2013 came in the finals' day, with Jordy Smith beating Adriano de Souza in the last heat of the last day of the event waiting period. Win it or break it. Adriano de Souza and Jordy Smith were up and riding with different trumps under their belts. The Brazilian w [ ... ]


Guinness confirms Shawn Dollar's 61-foot paddle-in wave record
19/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Guinness World Records have officially certified Shawn Dollar's 61-foot wave, at the Cortes Bank, off the coast of California, as a new paddle-in world record.
The 30-year-old resident of Santa Cruz, California, caught the superlative wave on December 21, 2012 during a terrifying session at the Cortes Bank, a notorious offshore hazard to shipping located over 100 miles west of San Diego in international waters. A panel of experts measured the wave at 61 feet on the face. Dollar caught th [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Death loop" kills kitesurfer in Quebec
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

A 32-year-old kitesurfer has passed away when he was sailing on the Lake of Two Mountains, in Quebec, Canada.
Julien Blanchard was enjoying a kitesurfing session in the part of the river delta widening of the Ottawa River, in Quebec, when he suffered what is commonly called the "death loop". The rider was dragged to his death on the lake, after fell and being kept underwater by his kite for about 20 minutes.


Kiteboard Open 2013 set for Noordwijk
13/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Kiteboard Open 2013 will run between the 18th-20th May, in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
During three days, the west of the Netherlands is invaded by some of the best regional kitesurfers in a beach lifestyle festival. Ruben Lenten, Kevin and Jalou Langeree will be showing off in the Kiteboard Open 2013, at the their home spot.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


World's best tube riders fly to El Gringo
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

The 2013 IBA GoPro Arica Chilean Challenge kicks off on the 17th May, in Arica, Chile, at the infamous El Gringo bodyboarding spot.
The third stop of the 2013 IBA World Tour is a Grand Slam Series events, which means there's a lot at stake. With $40,000 in prize money and 2000 points for the winner, Chile is a must. Moreover, the Arica Chilean Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and all riders will be trying to claim the trophy, in front of thousands of hardcore bodyboarding fans.  [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News