Pepperdine University Libraries Malibu, Calif John Mazza Historic Surfboard Collection, Pepperdine University Special Collections and University Archives
Copyright to the photograph is retained by Pepperdine University. Physical rights to the item are retained by John Mazza, the John G. Mazza Loving Trust Dtd 5/17/90, and the Malibu Surfing Museum. Images are intended for educational and research use, and may be used for non-commercial purposes with appropriate attribution. Organizations and individuals seeking to use images for publication must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright, patents, trademarks, and other service marks.
Description
In 1981, Australian surfer and board shaper Simon Anderson designed the tri-fin Thruster, a shortboard with a three-fin system that gave riders more drive and maneuverability. The model, never patented, was immediately popular and was subsequently copied by board designers around the world. The tri-fin configuration allowed a wider “squashtail” outline, which improved speed, while the fin configuration increased traction. Within two years, the tri-fin design had essentially replaced the single- and twin-fin designs that preceded it on all shortboards, big-wave boards, and many longboards. Tri-fin design remains the standard for today’s surfboards. Produced by his own Energy Surfboards label, this “Original 3 Fin Thruster” is autographed by Anderson. 5 ft., 7 in.
Surfboard collection exhibited at Payson Library, Pepperdine University. The collection is owned by John Mazza, the John G. Mazza Loving Trust Dtd 5/17/90, and the Malibu Surfing Museum. Mazza (John) Collection of Historic Surfboards 0172: https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8j67q1b/
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