Merv Larson bought this ski in late 1964. The story is as follows...

This is actually the 3rd ski brought to the US from..... Austraila. The first 2 came with Phil Coles and Gordon Jefferies for a Surf Llifesaving Team event with LA County. This is a spec ski for lifesaving, not a wave ski as many of your comments thought. No rudder, no footwells and barely an indent for your bottom..something like 45 lbs and 18' long.
Merv saw them paddle these skis in Carpinteria racing around the oil rigs with the Dorys. The skis were so far ahead, Merv ordered one on the spot.

The ski in the piture is located at the Maritime Museum in Santa Barbara, another one is displayed in the Bath House, East Beach, Santa Barbara. The location of the 3rd one is unknown.

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1. Merv was also the first to build surf skis in the US. When I met Merv in 1974 glass Hayden spec skis were available in the US. Merv found me a used one first and theyn he got a mold (or made one, I can't remember. He built me a beuatiful clear glass ski. He worked hard to round up 8-10 of us for the lifeguard ski races. If you paddle or race a ski the answer to the question: Who's your Daddy? MERV!
   Posted by Tony L.   on  09/29   at  03:54 PM
2. Love this sh....t remember seeing guys on these when I was a kid, how far has the sport come. Articles like this are gold because if those south african types read it they realise that they are followers.
   Posted by dean morgan   on  10/13   at  04:51 AM

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