Making it happen,

Some other surfers that ‘made it happen’ in the really early days…..’60s and ‘70’s + a bit of ‘80’s

Credits go to:-

Aussie Andy Houselander and Bill Faherty (Calif) both helped the Tiki team win 1st prize in Porthtowan ’68.   Andy sanded for Tiki in ’68.

Ian (Porkie) Morcom, renowned for his Ford Consul with coffin handles glassed on the doors. Ian now has a garage business in Newquay and is a part time Coastguard/folk singer.   Ian helped Tiki after working at the famous Bilbo factory.

Merv Beard, Shaped for a while, later to start Chapter surfboards and now resides in a famous bay in S.Ireland

Clive Lewis and Al Brookes, glassed and polished, both went on to start a surf shop in Braunton.

Nick Mirandon (USA), who Dave met in California in ‘69. A perfectionist, genius glasser and glosser. His efforts helped persuade Bing, Weber, G&S, and Waxmate to let Tiki open up the U.K and France with other brands, justifying a purpose built 10,000 sq ft manufacturing and distribution base in Braunton.  He worked with Tiki for 18 months to get the ball rolling.  There were few folk in S.Calif who didn’t know him. His son (they named him Croyde after the local beach) called in whilst visiting the UK several years ago.

Larry Gordon and Floyd Smith (USA), for advice and designs.

Dewey Weber, (USA) again for advice, designs and patience. In spite of the ‘fame’ he’d mentioned that several times the Co. had nearly ‘gone’. When over there in ‘69, it had taken Dave 5 visits to get to see him for discussions.

Mike Eaton (USA) (One of a pair of Bing’s Shapers), gave Dave invaluable and friendly advice during and after the ‘69.’70 meetings. He later went on to make Sunshine boards when Bing closed down.

Barry Bennett, (Aus) set Tiki on the path to independent quality blank production (Dion Foam). making economic inroads in to most of the UK and some of the French industry.

John Hall, (Aus) shaper and master craftsman, with Tiki for 5 years and went on to make his own boards in the UK. and then returned to Aus.

Al Neighbour, glasser, went on to making his own boards and now specialises in surf skiis locally

Al Atherton, an excellent craftsman at everything, went on to make his own boards locally under the Crystalite brand.

Dave White (Aus) glasser now has a very successful surfboard plant in Aus.

Randy Sleigh (Hawaii) magnificent shaper and was with us for the summer season

Dugga Warren (Aus) both in the early days and even fairly recently, (later with wife and 2 kids), shaped both quality and quantity. Now in S. Aus with his own company.

And last but certainly not least, Terry Fitzgerald, of HB fame, who breathed a breath of fresh air into the mid ‘80’s UK scene.  Joel and Kyle Fitzgerald have both carved their way to success.... See some shots on this site with Joel in the Maldives……

 

Tiki started in a garage in South Wales, making somewhat primeval boards, kits and popouts.  Later Dave met Tim at the London Boat show, and a partnership was formed to venture further into the surfing business.

As things progressed, a new base was sought in N.Devon and a move was made to a temporary small workshop just prior to Dave and Tim’s Calif. and Hawaii/Mexico trips.
 
Tiki is indebted to all the above who added ‘hybrid vigour’ to most aspects of Tiki in the early days.

Our apologies to quite a few colleagues and acquaintances not mentioned!

Click here to go to our History Gallery