Hot Buttered surfboard shaped by Terry Fitzgerald and sprayed by Martin Worthington
Designer
Martyn Worthington
Maker
Terry Fitzgerald
(Australian)
Date1974
Object number00001327
NameSurfboard
MediumFibreglass
DimensionsOverall: 90 x 2100 x 518 mm, 6.1 kg
Display Dimensions: 220 x 486 x 2080 mm
Display Dimensions: 220 x 486 x 2080 mm
Copyright© Martin Worthington and Hot Buttered International Pty Ltd
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Dr Simon Leslie
DescriptionShaped by Terry Fitzgerald, this 2.2 metre surfboard was produced in 1974 using fibreglass and polyester resin. Design features include a wing 'swallow' tail, a single low aspect fin and a dion foam blank. The surfboard was spray painted by Martin Worthington with a tropical scene which incorporates a huge wave and brand name 'Hot Buttered'.HistoryThe end of World War II opened up new possibilities in surfboard design. Many new materials had become available through advances in technology during the war. As a result, fiberglass coated Malibu’s were developed in the late 1950s. These allowed surfers a greater range of manoeuvres than early wooden boards. The 1950s also saw experimentation in surfboard design, with additions such as a fin aiding manoeuvrability and stability. The Malibu shape was introduced to Australia in 1956 when a group of Californian lifeguards brought with them new Malibu boards made by Joe Quigg and the Velzy-Jacobs duo. Australian began experimenting with balsa, foam and fiberglass designs, and eventually the Malibu went into mass-production.
During the 1970s Hot Buttered was one of Australia's leading brands of surfboard, and is still highly regarded. The 'swallow' tail design of this surfboard was an innovation of Terry Fitzgerald, Champion surfer and proprietor of Hot Buttered. Mark Worthington's sprays were recognised as some of the best in the world, and were also a significant selling point of Hot Buttered boards. Sprays were introduced around 1973, with wave scenes among the most popular. During the 1980s and 1990s it was rare to see a surfboard without a spray of some sort, as it made glassing boards much easier, and helped avoid pin lining.
The original owner surfed mainly at Jervis Bay, though the board has also been used at Margaret River in Western Australia, and Bali.SignificanceThis fiberglass board provides an important record of trends in board manufacture and shaping, and its surface design is representative of 1970s surfboard art.
