Comments on: The Virgin by Neal Purchase senior 1966 https://blogs.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/surfcity/?p=1892 an Historic Houses Trust blog Tue, 25 Jun 2019 13:52:54 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.2 By: Jack Clancy https://blogs.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/surfcity/?p=1892&cpage=1#comment-17175 Tue, 25 Jun 2019 13:52:54 +0000 https://blogs.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/surfcity/?p=1892#comment-17175 I recall well Neal at Nth Steyne trying out a board, one he shaped I believe and at least a foot shorter than the Virgin. I thought it all looked so clumsy compared with the graceful drop knee turns going left and big sweeping forehand cranks to the right (or the other if goofy) on longer boards…over 8’6″….then comfortably up to the nose if the wave allowed… Neal had to work hard on that board, almost jumping, punching it downwards to drop it down the wave….and that became the way it was for some years. I think Twizzle and Baddie got into them pretty quickly…Otten Platt and those great blokes from the 60’s also. Not sure Mick Dooley did though… Neal shaped my board at Denny’s about 1966 from memory.It was about 8’6 and great top shape. It worked so well in fast thin waves… I still have it, “never to part”. Neal was really keen on getting the short boards ‘right’, good stuff from such a reserved bloke. I think that’s when Denny gave him a run, shaping.

I thought “these short boards will never take off”…and paddling them….that took a lot of effort, they were almost vertical when you had to try to sit on them, it was like straddling a tree-trunk…and being shark bait!! As it turns out I was wrong. A new kind of athlete and artist emerged and magic things happened on and above the wave. I hope to see Neal soon and bring the ‘old’ board along. So many memories…Do get in touch Neal, I’m up your way I think,…love to have a yarn.

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