Rarely does good luck come my way when it come to finding quality, old boards cheap. My day job has me chained to a desk so I don't get out on the road much to scavenge rubbish tips, junk shops and deceased estate auctions as much as I'd like. My best chance comes from using my eagle eye to spot something of value that's been poorly listed on eBay. The best example of this is when I once found a Lightning Bolt twin fin listed under 'Canoes'.
Recently I spotted a listing from the Western Sydney suburb of Milpera, that's more famous for the 1984 father's day bikie massacre between the Comancheros and Banditos than it is for surfboards.
The seller had listed just one photo of a dinged BB logo.
Now, Barry Bennett is a fine shaper and an important figure in the development of surfboards in Australia, founding Dion chemicals and blowing the first polyurethane blanks in Australia. But Bennetts are pretty common and not that collectible.
Unless, as I've mentioned before, you find one by of the guest shapers like Nat young or Gerry Lopez.
So I put a bid on it and was winning the auction at $46.
Then, 12 hours before the auction ended the seller posted new photos. I immediately recognized the plan shape and thick rails, that matched my red Nat and was stoked to see the cross legged Buddha logo of Nat Young.
I was so excited!
12 hours to go and I was winning at $46. I upped my bid and called my friend , who shall remain nameless.
I told him how I couldn't believe my luck and how excited I was. I told him where the listing was and told him to go look it up and check it out.
It is a this point the story goes bad.
He claims there was some confusion as to my intentions with the auction. The story ends in a cavalcade of anger and accusation as the auction ends and I find I've been out bid by this very same nameless character. Like the wise King Solomon who ordered the baby cut in 2 I have made him agree to on sell it so neither of us will get to keep it but hopefully it will go to a more loving home.
For its not about possession, its about discovery and appreciation.
For its not about possession, its about discovery and appreciation.
Score!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a freind you need to Delete !!, Nice board, hope you learnt your lesson !
ReplyDeleteHa was talking to s brook ale shaper who worked at bennetts in the 70's and he told me that they used to sign all those boards themselves. They were known as ghost shapers so good luck if it was shaped by nat
ReplyDeleteNup! Its the real deal,Nats curvy nose temp that no one else shaping there liked as well as limited orders ment No shadow shaping went on,plus if it did Bazza would have signed it.
ReplyDeleteIve got an original Nat Falline single fin plus two fin setup thingy i found in a garbage pickup at Warriwood near mint wait for it... shaped by Phil Murry!.With Nats thick chunky curvy nose,goes slow but turns fast.Looks like just before thruster was created.
ReplyDeleteHEY I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT A LITTLE HISTORY ON MY NAT YOUNG SURFBOARD. ITS 6'7" SINGLE FIN WITH FIN B OX OR REPLACEABLE FIN. IT IS IN GLORIOUS SHAPE AND HAS A PIC OF A BARE BREASTED WAHINI ON THE BOTTOM OF THE NOSE CAN ANYONE OFFER WHAT THEY KNOW? IS ANYONE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THIS BOARD?
ReplyDeletei have a nat young surfboard 6'7" single fin with fin box or interchangeable fin and it has a picture of a bare breasted wahini at the bottom of the nose. just trying to get some history on it and know if anyone was interested in buying it
ReplyDeleteHi Blaine,
DeleteWe'd love to see some pics. You can email damion@boardcollector.com
Once we have a look I'm sure someone will be keen to make you an offer.
Damion.