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pods for primates: a catalogue of surfboards in australia since 1900

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manufacturers : hayden surfboards

www.haydensurf.com

circa 1957
Hayden Kenny began surfing at Alexandra Headland on a hollow timber Gordon Woods' Okinuee.

1957 July,
First surfer to ride the points at Noosa Heads

1958
Second board, Balsawood/fibreglass board supplied by Gordon Woods.

circa 1960
First board, shaped at grandfather's cow bales Maryborough, Queensland.
Foam blank and materials supplied by Gordon Woods.

circa 1962
Factory moved to Alexandra Headland, opposite the beach.

circa 1964
Bob Cooper joins Algie Grud (dings) as staff.
He brings a huge quantity of experience and talent after 10 years in the Californian surfboard industry, including Velzy Surfboards and Yater Surfboards.

Hayden Kenny,
October 1964.
Photograph by Bob Cooper
Australian Surfers Journal
Volume 3 Number Two,
Autumn 2000.
Page 60.

Multiple rectangle decal, possible precedent Windandsea Surfboards, California.

Bob McTavish arrives from Wallace Surfboards, Brookvale.
He is joined by Russell Hughes and later Darryl 'Rooster' Dell.

circa 1965
George Greenough joins the crew at 'The Pit'
Hayden Sun Decal designed by Candy Calhoun (USA).

For a wonderful account of these days see
Alexandria Headlands1953.
SURF INTERNATIONAL Vol. 3 No3 1970 pp 40 to 43.
Noosa Nostalgia 1963, with some notes about design and waves.
Also see The Hot Generation Part 2

1966
Robert Conneely sponsored to San Diego World Titles.
Robert Conneely's Spaceship model.

circa 1967
Dot decal introduced

1967 Hayden Vee Bottom design, about 8 ft.
Robert Conneeley Spaceship Model, with
Hayden Dot

Note wide foam stringer

circa 1968
Factory relocated to 164 Alexandra Parade after a fire.
Hayden Kenny and Ken Adler (see San Juan Surfboards) shaping.
Glassing and Greenough spoons by Terry McClarty

1969 Hayden Pintail
8 ft 1/2''

1970
Robert Conneeley Expression Model.
See image, right.

1978
Factory relocated to Industrial Estate, Alexandra Headland.
Company becomes major supplier to Life Saving Clubs
of paddle boards and surfskis
- similar to Barry Bennett Surfboards, Brookvale.
The company was given great exposure with the success
of son, Grant Kenny, in competitive Life Saving events.

1979
Kent Manning; shaping.

1982
Ross Head, shaping.

circa 1987
The company is taken over by workers, Mick Hopper and Graham 'Cooky' John.

2000
Industrial Avenue, Kunda Park, Maroochydore Queensland, 07 54450 2452

Catalogue Entries

1967
Conneely Spaceship
7 ft 0''
#317

1969
Pintail
8 ft 1/2''
#303

1969
A Robert Conneeley Expression
7 ft 5''
#304

Please find me????

Board 6 :
Current Owner : Kim McKenzie
Logo Type : Small 'Hayden' Yellow dot.
Fin type : Greenough
Comments : This board shaped by Bob McTavish is in incredilbe condition. Featuring a yellow nose (patch), black GT stripe with twin pin stripes (cigar band), and red body. Glassed by Bob Cooper. Kim surfed the Queensland titles in February (19)68, and the Aussies (Titles) in May of the same year. This board was then put away and never ridden again. The tail starts to show the "V" influence that an experimental McTavish used as part of his designs.
From : Australian Long Boarder, No 14. page 45????
Note :
1. Estimated dimensions 8 ft x 23''
2. The board looks to have a leg rope block on the tail, which would indicate that the board has ben ridden since 1976.
3. Rather than starting 'to show the "V" influence', the board is more likely to be at the end of this design.
It would have been outdated at the 1968 Australian titles, see Midget Farrelly, 1968.

Advertisement 1970 : Conneely Hull

Image and text from Hayden Surfboards Ad, Tracks magazine circa 1970

Decals and Other

Image, left
George Greenough and Spoon made at Hayden Surfboards.
Caloundra, Queensland 1966-7
Photograph by Hayden Kenny

"Far Out Flexible Surfboard...
the wave of the future"
by Eric Blum as told to Al Lees
Popular Science magazine August 1969, page 92.

For Georges' picture of Hayden with the board see

The Australian Surfers' Journal
Vol 2 No. 2 Page 105.