Australian Prime Minister shapes "Surfboard One" for Barack Obama

June 15, 2014 | Surfing
Surfboard One: Tonny Abbott welcomes the Bennett Surfboards team

The Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has offered Barack Obama a custom-made longboard shaped at Bennett Surfboards.

The precious gift looks like a surfboard version of Air Force One, the US President's private aircraft. It features the Presidential Seal, as well as the Australian and US flags.

Obama, who has already proved to be a superior waterman, will be able to test the "Surfboard One" during his family holidays in the Hawaiian Islands.

Initially, Greg Bennett, Bennett Surfboards' factory manager, thought it was a hoax when the Prime Minister's office called about making a custom-made longboard for Barack Obama, in a week. But then, he understood it was for real.

"We left at 4.30am and drove down there and then when we got to Parliament we went to the underground car park, through a security door and then straight up through the middle of Parliament so no one could see the board," explains Tom Wentworth, from Bennett Surfboards.

"We put it up in the PM's tea room and then Tony came in. We had a few photos and had a laugh about surfing."

The nine-foot Presidential surfboard one of the most important orders ever to hit Bennett Surfboards' office. The Australian Prime Minister says Obama is going to give it a try.

"I think he's looking forward to getting on it sometime. He said 'I might be Hawaiian, but that doesn't mean that I'm the world's greatest surfboard rider', but he said 'that's the kind of big board that will help me, that will help me hone my surfing skills'. Let's hope Surfboard One is a common sight off Waikiki Beach," added Tony Abbott.

In April, 2014, Bennett Surfboards shaped a six-foot surfboard for Prince George, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.