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"You
wouldn't be an Aussie" you wouldn't be true blue
if Australian Made, meant nothing to you
| Ron commenced his surfing career in 1960. After becoming passionate about the sport, his creative side kicked in. He started shaping in 1970 and it has been his passion ever since, ever trying to perfect and enhance designs, for improved performance, he likes to think outside the square when it comes to surfboard design, and is very innovative. His love of the ocean has lead him to compete at a national level, in both short and longboard events. A finalist in every short board Aussie title from 1995 to 2001 winning in 96 and 98. His quiver of boards range from fish, short boards, guns to long boards, and his inspiration for research and development has never wained, nor has his desire and love of catching waves wether its travelling to exotic locations or his local beaches. |
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Ronnie came from Maroubra on the tail of an old yank friend of mine named pork chops, chops ranted and raved about his shaping, and so I gave him a try. He followed instructions well, then I said he could make one of his own, it was a caramel bottom, red tint insert deck, black pinline, semi gun, about eight feet with a hand made lions head sticker, it was a beauty and I knew if I gave Ron his head he could do it !! History is what we traveled on. Ron has always been his own man, and the envelope of design was there to be pushed. I am still interested in his boards they are always unique in theory, designs, colours and finishes, all scream of a strong individuality and desire to move the game forward. The surf scene is currently stagnant with the barrage of machine Chinese, 3rd world pop outs and stupid buying public, blown out of the, the so called surf schools and programs, underpinned by the fast buck entrepreneurs, who can spot a money making trend in the herd mentality of the press button computer aged, cyber couch potatoes.The Herd nerd contemplates a weekend of fresh air, salt ,sand and the jammed line up at his local break "go baby".
Ron contribution is totally underestimated, and under publicised by press and public, which is his saviour. He is "his own tune dancer" with a drum of the 60-70's when "sole" had no name and the surf experience was bigger than what society promised the conformers. All the praise to the originals, Ronnie has never sold out, if you get one of his boards, it will go like 40 years of spirit was in it, if you don't like that, "TAKE YOUR BUCKET AND GO HOME!"
Bob Cooper
DINASAUR OR ARTIST OF MY CRAFT There are no fancy shaping machines - no team of workers - no hi tech factory. Just me and my shed and i like it that way...............thankyou very much. |
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