: Board Collector

Stussy

My aim of compiling a comprehensive Californian 'Echo Beach' era innovation period collection came one step closer to reality recently with the acquisition of this early 80's Shawn Stussy shaped 6'8" rounded pin tail semi gun. Mr Stussy's skills as a shaper are only matched by his skills as a graphic designer and artist. I took this board out for a run at solid overhead Swami's and it performed as you would expect, very well. But the attraction for me is in the graphics, specifically the walking man with surfboard graphic that formed part of the first collection of imagery Shawn displayed on his booth at Surf Expo in the early 80's

As he describes in Jeff Parker's 'Echo Beach' documentary, he sold a few boards but what people really wanted to order were the fresh and innovative graphic tees.

And so it was, a revolutionary global surf and street wear empire was born.

The artist at work

The booth

Shawn Stussy at the Florida trade show with the tees and graphics that turned his career around.

Very nice, solid, glass in fins.

Gorgeous drip paint, hand spray.

Circa 1982

Nectar Thruster- Part 7.

Simon Anderson had this beautiful, immaculate, original 80's, purple rail spray, US built, Gary McNabb shaped, Nectar on display at Sacred Craft to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Thruster (3 fins of equal size) design.

Here it is along side its Australian cousin, one of the first Energy thrusters ever made.

Nectar Thruster- Part 6.

Gavin has been kind enough to share two of his remarkable Nectar thrusters with us.

The 7'2" gun bears an amazing similarity to Simon Anderson's famous Pipeline Masters winning board.

Simon Anderson at Sacred Craft 2011.

Gary McNabb 9317 7'2" Perry

I've never seen a US built Tom Carroll model Nectar thuster before.

A unique board and an excellent restoration.

Nectar Thruster- Part 5.

Luck has really been shining on me of late.

I found this Gary McNabb shaped 6'3", single hip, rounded square tail, Nectar team riders thruster in great condition in San Clemente for under $100. It looks like it could well have just been shot for the cover of Surfer in 1981. The fact that this design made the cover of a magazine is a testament to how important this design is to the history of surfboard design.

In fact how many other boards have scored their own cover shot?

Simon Anderson recounts how he got started with Gary Mac Nabb and Nectar to bring the Thruster design to the US in 1981

Again, the team rider for whom the board was shaped is a mystery to me.

It could be this guy, who went un-credited in a Nectar ad from 1981 or possibly John Glomb.

(The half completed tail repairs were done by me. Originally the tail was in good condition with just a single crack along the tail that I was afraid was going to let in water.)