Charlie has sent in photos of this Keo which his dad bought in Newquay in around 1972. Keo are probably more well known for producing pop outs from the early 70s, but there were some good custom boards made as well, mainly by guest shapers rather than Stuart Keogh himself. Keogh owned a surf shop in Newquay's Fore st and was based in Newquay and for a while Holywell bay, and he also made moulded kneeboards and ply bellyboards.This Keo is shaped by Greg Stokes, who doesn't ring a bell with me or a few guys I have asked, so he is most likely to be a travelling surfer from abroad. Google says he's from South Africa and still shapes today - although it might not be the same Greg Stokes. Quite a few of the hot travelling surfers who came through England shaped a few boards to make some money to keep travelling. So this board could be an example of what the South Africans were riding at the time. Wide and rounded it looks a nice flowing shape.
This is Henry's Keo, made in the same period, not sure who shaped it but its probably by a local . Its a popular shape of the time, narrower and with the wide point higher up the board. Nicely made with colour overlays and resin tints, and Australian Barry Bennet foam.
thanks to Charlie and Henry. If anyone remembers Greg Stokes please let me know.
1973 from surf insight
Greg Stokes is alive and well in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. He still surfs (and wins)his division (Legends) at the SA Champs (he did again last year).
ReplyDeleteHis shapes are the best, at least I can vouch for his longboards, of which I have had a few, the best being a 9'6" green single-fin. It is a real longboard, amazing for tuberiding, nose-stuff and, and... I only rant because Greg is not only a great shaper but a real gentleman. He has some interesting history in board design and shaping which I suspect pre-dates some of the other folks around the world... a story there.
All the best
Alan Robb
www.stoked.co.za
www.dingfix.co.za
Kommetjie
South Africa
I agree, Greg would be classed as one of the top board builder, shapers in the surfing world. My own first 3 short boards were built by Greg
ReplyDeletehi there. old post new comment. I also bought a 9. longboard in cape town in 2005. Gregg stoke shape. loved it. radical board. it unfortunately snapped couple of years ago. planning on shaping one myself following that board as reference.
ReplyDeleteGreg Stokes is my Father and he shaped his first surfboard at the age of 13. He is still shaping today! A man of many talents who is a true craftsmen and a legend in the shaping world.
ReplyDeleteHello Greg Stoke ' son,
DeleteI bought a couple of years ago a second hand surfboard shaped by your father on 2002. The board is still alive and so cool, but here's my problem : I lost my 3 fins, and here in France I can't manage to find some of these particular type : cruciform fixation.
If hopefully U get this message, would be so great to talk about this.
Sincerely yours.
Ben
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI worked at Keo's back then while travelling from Oz. The South Africans were just leaving Newquay as we arrived and we took over a few of their jobs. I made a Keo over there and brought it back to Oz. It's probably long gone by now. Wayne Barry
Keo had a factory on walker lines ind estate bodmin making pop outs.boat hulls and a beach buggy body. The custom board factory was by the railway station in Newquay
ReplyDeleteHi have early board i am now 73 had board for about 45 years any idea best place to sell
ReplyDeleteDanny Roff
Hi I still have my gregg stokes 6ft I bought in earl 70 s I’m 73 now my son and now my granddaughter use it happy days
DeleteI have one, it seems shorter than a full board, I know nothing about them but if any body would be interested in it im need Doncaster in the UK
ReplyDeleteMark.christopher@btinternet.com
We knew the Keogh's back then for one summer when we lived in Holywell Bay. My father an ex Aston Martin panel beater showed them how to use Wet and Dry paper properly, so they didn't lose all the skin from their hands. that would have been around 1970.
ReplyDelete