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.