Equipment

Chris Jones

Chris Jones has been surfing in Cornwall since  he was 15 in the 1980s.

Mark Iles

Mark Iles is a Brighton based surfer and the owner of Mellow Wave surf shop.

Kevin Cross

An Australian, Kevin Cross came to Devon in 1971 via South Africa. From there he shaped surfboards under the name of Creamed Honey.

Bob Groves

Bob Groves surfed and shaped boards across the South West and the South coast. He also worked at Bilbo surf shop in Newquay.

Steve England

Steve England is the Editor of Carve surfing magazine. He grew up surfing Porthtowan in Cornwall, after his parents moved down from Lancashire.

Steve England

Steve England is the Editor of Carve surfing magazine. He grew up surfing Porthtowan in Cornwall, after his parents moved down from Lancashire.

Tim Heyland

Tim Heyland founded Tiki Surf Shop in Wales in the 1960s before moving down to North Devon.

Tim Heyland

Tim Heyland founded Tiki Surf Shop in Wales in the 1960s before moving down to North Devon.

John Adams

John Adams helped pioneer surfing around Penzance and Sennen in West Cornwall in the early 60s. He also ran 'The Winter Gardens' a dancehall in Penzance, a hang out for local surfers and set up Three S Films which created some early British surf films.

John Adams

John Adams helped pioneer surfing around Penzance and Sennen in West Cornwall in the early 60s. He also ran 'The Winter Gardens' a dancehall in Penzance, a hang out for local surfers and set up Three S Films which created some early British surf films.

Steven Wilkinson

Steven Wilkinson is Technical Director of Swell Surf Products making boards for people to learn on.

Steve Harewood

Successful surfer Steve Harewood started shaping boards in Jersey in 1970.

Charlie Hunt

Charlie Hunt  joined Mullion Surf Life Saving Club on Polurrian beach as a youngster and says that’s what inspired him to take up surfing.

Essex Tyler

Born Newlyn, Cornwall, 1973, Essex Tyler starred in British surf film “Blue Juice” in the 1990s. He is the son of Chris Tyler who set up the Skewjack Surf Club near Sennen. He was brought up on the site of the club and surfing and the culture that went with it was all he knew.

Nick Radcliffe

Nick Radcliffe started surfing aged 12 in St Agnes and got his first surfboard in 1973 for £15.

Nick Radcliffe

Nick Radcliffe started surfing aged 12 in St Agnes and got his first surfboard in 1973 for £15.

Nick Radcliffe

Nick Radcliffe started surfing aged 12 in St Agnes and got his first surfboard in 1973 for £15.

Nick Radcliffe

Nick Radcliffe started surfing aged 12 in St Agnes and got his first surfboard in 1973 for £15.

Nick Radcliffe

Nick Radcliffe started surfing aged 12 in St Agnes and got his first surfboard in 1973 for £15.

Stuart Keogh

Stuart Keogh first came to Cornwall in 1969 and opened Keo surfboards in 1969. He organised the Newquay Surf Classic Pro Am in 1981 and ran many other competitions after that.

Pip Staffieri

Pip Staffieri was an ice-cream seller in Newquay. He was inspired to build a board around 1940 when he saw a picture of Hawaiian's surfing in his dentist's encyclopaedia and some time later was spurred into action after the chance vision of a beautiful wooden surfboard on a Cornish beach.

Ian Morcom

Ian Morcom AKA 'Porky' started surfing in Newquay in the early 60s. Also a surfboard builder and shaper he worked for Bilbo in Newquay and Tiki in Wales and North Devon.

Ian Morcom

Ian Morcom AKA 'Porky' started surfing in Newquay in the early 60s. Also a surfboard builder and shaper he worked for Bilbo in Newquay and Tiki in Wales and North Devon.

Andy Bennetts

Andy Bennetts is one of the pioneers of Scottish surfing. Along with Bill Batten and Ian Wishart he set up the Scottish Surfing Federation in the 1970s and encouraged the development of the surfing scene in Scotland.

Alan Bleakley

The first person Alan Bleakley saw surfing was an Australian lifeguard, Bob Head, on Great Western beach, Newquay. His first board was one of Bob Head’s which he got courtesy of a card game for his 15^th birthday.

Alan Bleakley

The first person Alan Bleakley saw surfing was an Australian lifeguard, Bob Head, on Great Western beach, Newquay. His first board was one of Bob Head’s which he got courtesy of a card game for his 15^th birthday.

Bob Warry

Bob Warry built his own hollow boards in 1964 in Guernsey and competed during this time.

Bob Warry

Bob Warry built his own hollow boards in 1964 in Guernsey and competed during this time.

Russell O'Connor

Russell O'Connor grew up in Watford but travelled to Cornwall and Brighton to surf during the 1960s before eventually moving to Cornwall. His dad was a carpenter and built him his first board based on images found in magazines.

Nick Noble

Nick Noble grew up surfing in Saltburn and still runs a surf school there.

Nick Noble

Nick Noble grew up surfing in Saltburn and still runs a surf school there.

Bob Powers

Bob Powers was one of the first board shapers in North Devon. He witnessed the development of fibreglass when an apprentice at a company during World War Two.

Bill Bailey

Co-founder of Bilbo, one of the first purpose built surfboard factories in the world, Bill Bailey had a huge impact on the development of surfing in Britain.

Lawrence Wright

Lawrence Wright and his brother Tony made their own boards in North Devon during the 1960s.

Roger Mansfield

Roger Mansfield was born in Newquay. He learned to surf aged 6 and was British Surfing Champion in 1970. He curated the 'Surf's Up' exhibition in 2004 and wrote 'The Surfing Tribe - A History of British Surfing' in 2009. He is Research Consultant for 'The First Wave'.

Steve Skinner

Steve Skinner grew up bellyboarding in Jersey and took to stand-up surfing in the early 70s. He set up the Jersey Longboard Club in 1991 and was President of Jersey’s surf club in 95-96 before moving to Cornwall. His son is professional surfer Ben Skinner.

Steve Skinner

Steve Skinner grew up bellyboarding in Jersey and took to stand-up surfing in the early 70s. He set up the Jersey Longboard Club in 1991 and was President of Jersey’s surf club in 95-96 before moving to Cornwall. His son is professional surfer Ben Skinner.

Ian Hill

Ian Hill was one of the first people to surf using a Malibu board in Northern Ireland. He was a pioneer of surfing in the country and went on to start one of the first surf shops in his area. His son is Andy Hill.

Ian Hill

Ian Hill was one of the first people to surf using a Malibu board in Northern Ireland. He was a pioneer of surfing in the country and went on to start one of the first surf shops in his area. His son is Andy Hill.

Ian Hill

Ian Hill was one of the first people to surf using a Malibu board in Northern Ireland. He was a pioneer of surfing in the country and went on to start one of the first surf shops in his area. His son is Andy Hill.

Malcolm Findlay

Malcolm Findlay was a lifeguard and surfer in Fraserburgh on the East coast of Scotland. When he started surfing in the 60s he was one of the first surfers in Scotland.

David Bracey

David Bracey got his first board in 1965 and surfed for the first time at Fistral, Newquay and after that often surfed in Porthtowan.

David Bracey

David Bracey got his first board in 1965 and surfed for the first time at Fistral, Newquay and after that often surfed in Porthtowan.

Johnny Manetta

Johnny Manetta moved to Cornwall from London in 1969/70. He has been shaping boards and part of Tris Surf Shop in Porthtowan since 1974 and organised the Cornish and Open through the 70s and 80s.

Gordon Burgis

Gordon Burgis started surfing in Jersey in the late 50s and won numerous British titles over the following two decades competing at a European and World level.

Peter Newell

Peter Newell remembers surfing in Anglesey in the mid 1960s and spent time surfing in North Devon from the 1970s onwards. He made his own boards and experimented with board shapes.

Peter Newell

Peter Newell remembers surfing in Anglesey in the mid 1960s and spent time surfing in North Devon from the 1970s onwards. He made his own boards and experimented with board shapes.

Richard Trewella

Richard Trewella spent his childhood on Great Western Beach in Newquay. He and his friends started with 'chicken run boards' until the late 50s when his friend saw a demonstration at Porthtowan Surf Life Saving Club. At first he and a friend built 14 ft longboards from plywood but in '62 he built his first lightweight board.

Roger Mansfield

Roger Mansfield was born in Newquay. He learned to surf aged 6 and was British Surfing Champion in 1970. He curated the 'Surf's Up' exhibition in 2004 and wrote 'The Surfing Tribe - A History of British Surfing' in 2009. He is Research Consultant for 'The First Wave'.

Roger Berry

Roger Berry began belly boarding with his dad Ken in the 40s on boards they made from coffins. They saw photos of stand-up surfing in a May 1954 issue of National Geographic and crafted a hollow board without plans that winter. They were some of the first stand-up surfers in Guernsey.

Roger Berry

Roger Berry began belly boarding with his dad Ken in the 40s on boards they made from coffins. They saw photos of stand-up surfing in a May 1954 issue of National Geographic and crafted a hollow board without plans that winter. They were some of the first stand-up surfers in Guernsey.

Roger Berry

Roger Berry began belly boarding with his dad Ken in the 40s on boards they made from coffins. They saw photos of stand-up surfing in a May 1954 issue of National Geographic and crafted a hollow board without plans that winter. They were some of the first stand-up surfers in Guernsey.

Roger Berry

Roger Berry began belly boarding with his dad Ken in the 40s on boards they made from coffins. They saw photos of stand-up surfing in a May 1954 issue of National Geographic and crafted a hollow board without plans that winter. They were some of the first stand-up surfers in Guernsey.

Sam Lamiroy

British National open champion in 2003 and 2006 and 16th in the world at the 2006 ISA world games, Sam Lamiroy learnt to surf in Tynemouth, Newcastle aged 10.

Jayce Robinson

Jayce Robinson started surf lifesaving at a young age and started surfing aged 8. He won the UK pro tour in 2012 and the English Championships in 2010. He is based in St Ives.

Jayce Robinson

Jayce Robinson started surf lifesaving at a young age and started surfing aged 8. He won the UK pro tour in 2012 and the English Championships in 2010. He is based in St Ives.

Ian Wishart

Ian Wishart pioneered surfing in Scotland with Bill Batten and Andy Bennetts in the late 60s. Together they formed the Scottish Surfing Federation. Photo by Andy Bennetts.

Ian Wishart

Ian Wishart pioneered surfing in Scotland with Bill Batten and Andy Bennetts in the late 60s. Together they formed the Scottish Surfing Federation. Photo by Andy Bennetts.

Gabe Davies

Gabe Davies is a British surfing champion and big wave surfer from Newcastle.

Norman Frost

Norman Frost joined Porthtowan SLSC in the late 1950s. He founded Swell Surf Products, building surfboards that were easy to learn on. He is now a Director of Sustainable Composites, creating surfboards made of more eco-materials. He is married to Pip Frost.

Norman Frost

Norman Frost joined Porthtowan SLSC in the late 1950s. He founded Swell Surf Products, building surfboards that were easy to learn on. He is now a Director of Sustainable Composites, creating surfboards made of more eco-materials. He is married to Pip Frost.

Norman Frost

Norman Frost joined Porthtowan SLSC in the late 1950s. He founded Swell Surf Products, building surfboards that were easy to learn on. He is now a Director of Sustainable Composites, creating surfboards made of more eco-materials. He is married to Pip Frost.

Norman Frost

Norman Frost joined Porthtowan SLSC in the late 1950s. He founded Swell Surf Products, building surfboards that were easy to learn on. He is now a Director of Sustainable Composites, creating surfboards made of more eco-materials. He is married to Pip Frost.

Norman Frost

Norman Frost joined Porthtowan SLSC in the late 1950s. He founded Swell Surf Products, building surfboards that were easy to learn on. He is now a Director of Sustainable Composites, creating surfboards made of more eco-materials. He is married to Pip Frost.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Alan Duke

Alan Duke grew up in Northern Ireland. His first experience surfing was bellyboarding on an ironing board. Other people were surfing plywood boards but the first time he saw a real board was in a Colgate advert on TV.

Bill Batten

Bill Batten was one of the first pioneers of surfing in Scotland. He returned from New Zealand in 1968 and brought a board back with him. He founded the Scottish Surfing Federation with Andy Bennetts,Ian Wishart and others in 1975.

Bill Batten

Bill Batten was one of the first pioneers of surfing in Scotland. He returned from New Zealand in 1968 and brought a board back with him. He founded the Scottish Surfing Federation with Andy Bennetts,Ian Wishart and others in 1975.

Bill Batten

Bill Batten was one of the first pioneers of surfing in Scotland. He returned from New Zealand in 1968 and brought a board back with him. He founded the Scottish Surfing Federation with Andy Bennetts,Ian Wishart and others in 1975.

Martin Geary

Martin Geary  came to Newquay in 1966 as deckchair man and lifeguard on Tolcarne Beach. He started building surfboards co-founding Martin Richards Surfboards later known as Outer Limits. Arthritis stopped him surfing and surfboard building.

Martin Geary

Martin Geary  came to Newquay in 1966 as deckchair man and lifeguard on Tolcarne Beach. He started building surfboards co-founding Martin Richards Surfboards later known as Outer Limits. Arthritis stopped him surfing and surfboard building.

Martin Geary

Martin Geary  came to Newquay in 1966 as deckchair man and lifeguard on Tolcarne Beach. He started building surfboards co-founding Martin Richards Surfboards later known as Outer Limits. Arthritis stopped him surfing and surfboard building.

Mark Bailey

A Poldu lifeguard in the 70s, Mark Bailey grew up in Sennen as a teenager and surfed Porthleven Reef early on.

Mark Bailey

A Poldu lifeguard in the 70s, Mark Bailey grew up in Sennen as a teenager and surfed Porthleven Reef early on.

Chris Jones

Chris Jones started making surfboards in Newquay in 1965 when working at the Bilbo surfboard factory. He was a competitive surfer winning the English, British and European titles in the same year.

Chris Jones

Chris Jones started making surfboards in Newquay in 1965 when working at the Bilbo surfboard factory. He was a competitive surfer winning the English, British and European titles in the same year.

Chris Jones

Chris Jones started making surfboards in Newquay in 1965 when working at the Bilbo surfboard factory. He was a competitive surfer winning the English, British and European titles in the same year.

Andy Hill

Andy Hill runs Troggs surf shop in Portrush, Northern Ireland and competed for Ireland in the 80s and 90s. His father, Ian Hill, was one NI's first surfers.

Linda Sharp

Linda Sharp won numerous competitions over 20 years of surfing from the early 1970s including European, British and Welsh titles. She is one of the most successful British female surfers.

John Roughton

John Roughton and friends John Smith and Ian Davies started surfing in Saltburn in the mid 1960s.

John Roughton

John Roughton and friends John Smith and Ian Davies started surfing in Saltburn in the mid 1960s.

John Roughton

John Roughton and friends John Smith and Ian Davies started surfing in Saltburn in the mid 1960s.

John Roughton

John Roughton and friends John Smith and Ian Davies started surfing in Saltburn in the mid 1960s.

Minnow Green

Robert Green joined Hayle SLSC in 1966 and got his first board in 1967. Called Minnow because he was competent in the water and was small, he was 3 times British Double Ski Champion. Now based in St Agnes, Minnow set up the British Longboarding Union in 1996.

Minnow Green

Robert Green joined Hayle SLSC in 1966 and got his first board in 1967. Called Minnow because he was competent in the water and was small, he was 3 times British Double Ski Champion. Now based in St Agnes, Minnow set up the British Longboarding Union in 1996.

Chris Griffiths

Chris 'Guts' Griffiths won numerous Welsh, British and European titles during the 80s and 90s. Today he and shapes boards on the Gower in Wales.

Gerald Simmons

Gerald Simmons was one of the first Surf Life Savers in Britain when he passed his bronze medallion in 1955. A member of St Agnes Surf Life Saving Club he rode a British made hollow wooden surfboard in the late 1950s.

Gwyn Haslock

One of the first women surfers in Britain Gwyn Haslock bought her first board in 1965/6  (aged 21) and surfed every weekend from then on. She had a car and drove from her home in Truro to Tolcarne in Newquay. Her first wave was caught on a 10ft board called Big Bertha.

Gwyn Haslock

One of the first women surfers in Britain Gwyn Haslock bought her first board in 1965/6  (aged 21) and surfed every weekend from then on. She had a car and drove from her home in Truro to Tolcarne in Newquay. Her first wave was caught on a 10ft board called Big Bertha.

Tris Cokes

Tris Cokes was brought up in Porthtowan, Cornwall. He opened Tris Surf shop in 1971 and shaped many boards. He now runs Homeblown, manufacturing more environmentally friendly surfboard blanks.

Tris Cokes

Tris Cokes was brought up in Porthtowan, Cornwall. He opened Tris Surf shop in 1971 and shaped many boards. He now runs Homeblown, manufacturing more environmentally friendly surfboard blanks.

Tris Cokes

Tris Cokes was brought up in Porthtowan, Cornwall. He opened Tris Surf shop in 1971 and shaped many boards. He now runs Homeblown, manufacturing more environmentally friendly surfboard blanks.

Tris Cokes

Tris Cokes was brought up in Porthtowan, Cornwall. He opened Tris Surf shop in 1971 and shaped many boards. He now runs Homeblown, manufacturing more environmentally friendly surfboard blanks.

Tris Cokes

Tris Cokes was brought up in Porthtowan, Cornwall. He opened Tris Surf shop in 1971 and shaped many boards. He now runs Homeblown, manufacturing more environmentally friendly surfboard blanks.

Johnny Manetta

Johnny Manetta moved to Cornwall from London in 1969/70. He has been shaping boards and part of Tris Surf Shop in Porthtowan since 1974 and organised the Cornish and Open through the 70s and 80s.

Johnny Manetta

Johnny Manetta moved to Cornwall from London in 1969/70. He has been shaping boards and part of Tris Surf Shop in Porthtowan since 1974 and organised the Cornish and Open through the 70s and 80s.

Johnny Manetta

Johnny Manetta moved to Cornwall from London in 1969/70. He has been shaping boards and part of Tris Surf Shop in Porthtowan since 1974 and organised the Cornish and Open through the 70s and 80s.

Graham Looker

Graham Looker got into surfing in the mid-60s and worked for Gul from the mid-90s until 2011.

Graham Stinson

Graham Stinson was born in Belfast but used to travel up to the coast every summer where he encountered wooden boards and later pop-out surfboards. He transferred to Coleraine and started travelling to and competing along the west coast of Ireland.

Graham Stinson

Graham Stinson was born in Belfast but used to travel up to the coast every summer where he encountered wooden boards and later pop-out surfboards. He transferred to Coleraine and started travelling to and competing along the west coast of Ireland.

Pete Ash

Pete Ash moved to Cornwall in the late 1960s aged 12. He got into surfing through his father who had been posted to Australia during the war and brought boards and surfing ideas back to postwar Britain.

Pete Ash

Pete Ash moved to Cornwall in the late 1960s aged 12. He got into surfing through his father who had been posted to Australia during the war and brought boards and surfing ideas back to postwar Britain.

Chops Lascelles

Surfer and shaper Chops Lascelles was born in Queensland before moving to the UK in 1974. He initially came to Perranporth in Cornwall to get work as a lifeguard.

Sam Bleakley

Sam Bleakley took up longboarding in the early 1990s and became European champion. The son of Alan ‘Fuz’ Bleakely, he lives in Gwenver, nr Sennen. He started surfing with his father aged 5.

Sam Bleakley

Sam Bleakley took up longboarding in the early 1990s and became European champion. The son of Alan ‘Fuz’ Bleakely, he lives in Gwenver, nr Sennen. He started surfing with his father aged 5.

Sam Bleakley

Sam Bleakley took up longboarding in the early 1990s and became European champion. The son of Alan ‘Fuz’ Bleakely, he lives in Gwenver, nr Sennen. He started surfing with his father aged 5.

Dave Griffin

Dave Griffin and his friends were some of the first people to regularly surf in St Ives. They began in the early 60s as teenagers, partly inspired by the st Ives Surf Life Saving Club.

Nigel Semmens

English, British and European champion, Nigel Semmens started surfing in his hometown of Newquay in 1971 - when he was 14. He later set up and was head shaper for Ocean Magic.

Nigel Semmens

English, British and European champion, Nigel Semmens started surfing in his hometown of Newquay in 1971 - when he was 14. He later set up and was head shaper for Ocean Magic.

Nigel Semmens

English, British and European champion, Nigel Semmens started surfing in his hometown of Newquay in 1971 - when he was 14. He later set up and was head shaper for Ocean Magic.

Chops Lascelles

Surfer and shaper Chops Lascelles was born in Queensland before moving to the UK in 1974. He initially came to Perranporth in Cornwall to get work as a lifeguard.

Dan (Mole) Joel

Dan Joel, AKA: Mole is known for the big wave riding he did on the West Coast of Ireland in his early 30s (2008). A Porthleven boy, he was inspired by older guys like Budgie, Bernie, Milky and Dave Burr who were riding the reef.

Dan (Mole) Joel

Dan Joel, AKA: Mole is known for the big wave riding he did on the West Coast of Ireland in his early 30s (2008). A Porthleven boy, he was inspired by older guys like Budgie, Bernie, Milky and Dave Burr who were riding the reef.

Dan (Mole) Joel

Dan Joel, AKA: Mole is known for the big wave riding he did on the West Coast of Ireland in his early 30s (2008). A Porthleven boy, he was inspired by older guys like Budgie, Bernie, Milky and Dave Burr who were riding the reef.

Chops Lascelles

Surfer and shaper Chops Lascelles was born in Queensland before moving to the UK in 1974. He initially came to Perranporth in Cornwall to get work as a lifeguard.

Alan Bleakley

The first person Alan Bleakley saw surfing was an Australian lifeguard, Bob Head, on Great Western beach, Newquay. His first board was one of Bob Head’s which he got courtesy of a card game for his 15^th birthday.

Ian Morcom

Ian Morcom AKA 'Porky' started surfing in Newquay in the early 60s. Also a surfboard builder and shaper he worked for Bilbo in Newquay and Tiki in Wales and North Devon.