Surfers inspired by the exhibition reminisce about surfing in the early days. (Bary Rogerson, Jwan Millek, Gregor Divett)
About 100 guests attended the opening of the new Surfing Exhibition at the Raglan Museum this afternoon. The exhibition was opened by Cr Clint Baddeley after a welcome from Kaumatua Russell Riki and an introduction by Museum President, Pat Day. Dr Day outlined the history of surfing in Raglan and its importance to the local economy. He thanked Bob Comer for providing many of the items that made the exhibition possible and the Gallagher Group for sponsoring the exhibition. Bob’s son Matt Comer attended representing the Comer family. Some of the guests at the opening were original surfers who had surfed at Manu Bay in the 1960s.
Chas Lake with Museum President Pat Day.
Chas first surfed in the 1950s and along with Peter Miller was one of first New Zealanders to surf on a Californian Malibu board in 1959 and then build his own. In the 1960s Chas surfed at Manu Bay after Peter let him know about it.
I had the pleasure of viewing the NZ surf history exhibit today and truly enjoyed the experience. I have a keen interest in surfing history and learned much from the surfboards on display. Until this time I had been unaware of the multitude of different local surfboard builders dating back to the sixties and earlier.
The interactive video was an especially nice bit.
I remain interested in learning still more about New Zealand surfing history and would enjoy any exchange of information to build upon my archives.
Please feel free to make contact with me by ‘e’ mail at any time.
Aloha
Mark Fragale
Curator/Honolulu Surfing Musem
redfinhawaii@hotmail.com