| British SUP pioneer Charlie Force passes away at 82 |
| Wednesday, 28 November 2012 15:52 |
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The pioneer of standup paddleboarding in the United Kingdom has passed away at 82. Charlie Force shaped a hollow wooden surfboard and rode it in 1953.
Back in 1953, standup paddleboarding was still new to many surfers in the world. Charlie Force broke the trends and built a hollow wooden surfboard that was successfully tested in Newquay Bay. The inspiration came from Australia. Force, a carpenter and builder, saw an Australian lifeguard enjoying a ride with a rectangular board, in a magazine. After finishing the surfboard shape work, he had designed a square-nosed 10' longboard. "The board was really quite stable. It didn't take too long before I learnt how to pick up speed and catch some waves. It was a new sensation. Really fun!", said Force in an interview. Later, Charlie Force would design a sailboard and four-wheel-drive submersible, showing his passion for oceanic inventions. "The Surfing Tribe", a book by Roger Mansfield, unveils the complete story of Charlie Force's life. Also, discover how to shape a surfboard. |










