Three fin 'thruster' surfboards by Energy Surfboards
Object No. 88/18
These surfboards are an example of a significant Australian innovation in surfboard design. In the late 1970s, Australian Mark Richards dominated world championship surfing. He introduced a short, two-finned surfboard suited to his light weight as well as to small surf. But Simon Anderson, a tall and heavier professional surfer, found the twin fin 'twitchy' (hard to control) and unsuited to bigger waves. He experimented with a triple-fin prototype, eventually enlarging the area of the board to accept three fins and reducing the size of the central fin. 'Tracks' magazine, the surfer's bible, said that Anderson's innovation was the most significant change in the 80 year history of surfboard design. Anderson didn't patent or register the design. For a short time the thruster gave his employer, Energy Surfboards, a competitive advantage, but it was soon copied all over the world. These surfboards are examples of the three fin surfboards produced by Simon Anderson and Energy Surfboards in the 1980s.
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Summary
Object Statement
Surfboards (2) Energy Flyer Square Tail and Round Tail Thrusters, Energy Surfboards, Australia, 1987-1988
Physical Description
Surfboards, (2) Energy Flyer Square Tail and Round Tail Thrusters, Energy Surfboards, Australia, 1987-1988
PRODUCTION
Notes
Designed and made by Energy Surfboards/Simon Anderson, Narrabeen, NSW, 1987-88 The three fin surfboard, or 'thruster', was first developed by Australian surfer Simon Anderson in 1980. His employer Energy Surfboards made the three fin thrusters in Narrabeen, NSW, Australia. For years prior to this surfboards had only one fin. In 1976 the twin fin was introduced to Australia, but the addition of the third fin improved stability and power (thrust) when executing turns. Anderson did not patent his idea, and soon the majority of surboards carried the three fin design. 'Simon's thruster is a real wave buster!' Bob Beale, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 February 1994, p 3. 'The laid back legend who gave the world three fins,' Roland Fishman, Sydney Morning Herald, 15 July 1990, p44.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Energy Surfboards
Acquisition Date
8 January 1988
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