Design from Tris Surfboards, Porthtowan, Cornwall drawn by Keith Flack in the 1970s
(click image to enlarge)
Surfing as a communal sport first took hold in the British Isles in Jersey. Visiting South African lifeguards inspired the formation of the Jersey Surfboard Club in St Ouens Bay in 1959. On the mainland Cornwall, particularly Newquay, was the focus of activity. Australian lifeguards, hired to reduce the rising number of summer drownings on the beaches, brought with them their surfing expertise and examples of new fibreglass surfboards. Knowledge spread by word of mouth and practical example to all areas of the British Isles where there are good waves.Surfing in Britain went partially underground for almost a decade in the 70s with the rise of the hippy ‘soul-surfer’ culture and its decline of interest in competition. This logo, from a surf shop in Porthtowan, Cornwall, belongs to this era. This was drawn by Keith Flack and Tris surf shop still exists in Porthowan today.
Today it is estimated that there are 300,000 surfers in Britain and that the sport generates £200m a year nationwide with half of that in the South West region alone.
The Surf’s Up! exhibition is on display at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall from 9 June 2005 until January 2006.
