Surfing Tamania Museum
Location:
Top Floor Red Herring Surf 104 Elizabeth Street Hobart
Hours:
9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
Curator:
Shayne Clark (Contact 0429 891 102)
Purpose
To collect, preserve, protect, and share significant items and stories about the history of Tasmanian surfing and its culture.
Values
- Authenticity and respect in the stories and information we share
- Inclusivity by representing the diversity of our surfing community
Now Displaying – Tasmanian Surfboard Shapers And Makers Exhibition
A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.
This Surfing Tasmania Surf Museum Exhibition showcases the story of fibreglass surfboard making in Tasmania from around the 1970s to current day.
Nearly 40 designers, shapers and makers from the northwest, northeast, and southeast surf coasts are represented here by more than 60 surfboards in all their glory, some a bit the worst for wear, others restored and the occasional replica.
From the beginnings of fibreglass surfboard making in the island state around 1970 as the longboard era came to a rapid end and performance surfing became the rage, enthusiasts began their shaping and making journeys, most for fun as weekend warriors, others for life and business.
The first commercial operation began with the arrival of Sydney mates Bruce Channon and Alan Blyth. The teamed up with Terry Horton, Leigh Steven, Ellis Leader to start Tern Surfboards in Macquarie Street, Hobart.
From that beginning and for over the next 50 years as surfing became a popular recreation, sport, and addiction for some, enthusiasts around Tasmania began their foam and resin adventures in sheds, mum and dad’s garages and workshops. The quality of their designing, shaping, glassing, sanding and finishing varied greatly but they were all taken by the challenges and rewards of surfboard making.
Most were self-taught, learned from mates, magazine etc, (nowadays from YouTube) others travelled to the Gold Coast, Sydney and Torquay where famous factories were always looking for young guns keen to work for low pay and conditions but where it was possible to learn the fine arts of shaping and making from the best. Some ventured overseas to fame and fortune. Wherever, surfers continue to take up the challenges will great passion around our island.
This exhibition pays homage to all Tasmanian shapers and makers who have created a pathway which continues to inspire the next generations of young guns to mow foam and squeegee resin, sand hot coats, install fin boxes and finish surfboards.
Please enjoy!
Shayne Clark
Surf Museum Curator.
Opening Night – November 2025
