SS BILL FISHER

Maker Herb Robson (Australian)

Builder Herb Robson (Australian)

Designer Herb Robson (Australian)

Date1958

Object number00039659

NameSurf ski

MediumWood

DimensionsOverall: 600 x 770 x 4600 mm (15092.6ft.)
Vessel Dimensions: 4.58 m × 0.77 m (15.03 ft × 2.53 ft)

ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Estate of John Mervin 'Jack' O'Brien

Terms

DescriptionDouble Robson 4.8 metre surf ski called BIG DOLPHIN and renamed SS BILL FISHER, modified for solo use. Used with one or two varnished wooden double ended paddles with a St Christopher medal attached to deck near the tail. Built by Herb Robson for John Mervyn 'Jack' O'Brien in 1958. O'Brien was a surf and fitness enthusiast and SS BILL FISHER was one of at least three skis that he owned and used off the northern beaches of Sydney where he lived. HistoryJohn 'Jack' O'Brien, former Queenscliff lifesaver and professional boxer, was a pioneer of endurance solo paddling using single and double surf skis. Over the course of ten trips from 1940 to 1962 he attempted or set non-stop paddling records on ocean trips between Wollongong, Sydney and Newcastle. His training regime included cycling 48 km a day, following a strict vegetarian diet and 24 hour endurance paddling sessions. Being tied to his craft in rough seas, navigating by day and night and avoiding hazards such as reefs, rocks and sharks were all part of the challenge. In 1952 he claimed a world record for the greatest distance for non-stop ocean paddling in a 24 hour period, paddling 128km in 22 hours between Watson's Bay and Newcastle. Although his claims were contested in the media and subsequently bettered by others, he is remembered for pushing the boundaries of ocean paddling on surf skis.SignificanceIt is an example of an important stage in the evolution of the surf ski as it forms a link between the original heavy planked boats and the much lighter craft that now exist. SS BILL FISHER shares the square section shapes and wide beam of the original craft, but is made much lighter using marine plywood.