I found this SURFER Cover image recently looking for something else on Google Images. At first I missed the amazing futurism of what it represents as it looked, well so like so many contemporary shots we see today. Then I thought hang on, that was 1984, the year that Tom Carroll won the World Title and Prince released ‘Purple Rain’. Jordy Smith hadn’t been born yet and the internet hadn’t been invented.
I can’t ID the surfer. I don’t think it is Dane Kealoha the legendary Hawaiian charger but who ever he is he was certainly providing a glimpse of things to come. There are two things that strike me about this image. Firstly the aerial. There were not many airs been boosted around the place in 1984. In fact to benchmark how futuristic this was in its day consider that the floater was thought to be pretty cutting edge around then. Secondly the 4 fin setup, showing that high performance quads have been around long before Dane Reynolds was born or Kelly Slater brought them back into vogue.
The first guy to positively ID this futuristic ripper scores a limited edition BOMBsurf T. If we can, we’ll try track him down and ask him about it and what it was like surfing and being on the cover of SURFER back in 1984.
Got something to say? Then leave a comment!
Posted by Warren Howard on the 19/02/2012 20:03
The surfer is Buttons Kealulani(not sure on spelling).
Posted by John McCarthy on the 19/02/2012 20:49
Hey Warren are you sure? We're actually talking to Buttons about something else right now (see the next issue of theBOMBsurf) but it would be easy to check with him. Any other takers?
Posted by Richard von Wildemann on the 19/02/2012 21:10
Larry "Rubberman" Bertlemann
Posted by Warren Howard on the 20/02/2012 06:24
It's Dane Keakulani
Posted by mark snowball on the 20/02/2012 08:37
Yeah,Buttons Kaluiokalani,but not riding a Ben Aipa T+C by the looks of things.Think LB had already faded by this time.Could also be Louie Ferreira.Tough one with no light on his face!?
Posted by chris on the 20/02/2012 08:49
Dane Keoloha
Posted by Patrick on the 20/02/2012 09:01
The surfer is Larry Bertlemann - http://www.surfwarez.com/ProductDetails.aspx?PID=788&c=0
Posted by Gabriel Kroes on the 20/02/2012 09:09
Montgomery Earnest Thomas Kaluhiokalani aka Buttons...
Posted by Gary Lightfoot on the 20/02/2012 09:10
Its Larry Bertelman
Posted by byron on the 20/02/2012 09:14
its Larry o's
Posted by Jamii on the 20/02/2012 09:25
Larry Bertlemann busting an air at Velzyland.
See link to the Astro deck team in Hawaii 83/84
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71uGoVclV2s/TzAcS5qcOAI/AAAAAAAAGoM/CjlYa5-6s8o/s1600/thrust5.jpg
Posted by Richard Myburgh on the 20/02/2012 10:06
The original rubberman Larry Bertleman!
Posted by Hugh Thompson on the 20/02/2012 10:28
Certainly looks like Buttons to me, but I don't remember him wearing that big-ass watch when he surfed. Buttons was so into the single fin stinger type boards with Mark Liddel and crew. Aerials were not uncommon during that period, just go back and see what Christian Fletcher was doing, as well as our own futuristic surfers, Martin Potter and Snake Park's Mark Wright, who could get air whenever he cared to. Unfortunately at the time it meant nothing and went over everyone's heads. Early 4fins were very popular with the Twinzer dominating for a while back then.
Posted by Hylton Lockitch on the 20/02/2012 10:50
Martin Potter
Posted by mix on the 20/02/2012 10:53
definitely Larry Bertlemann, got the issue in my collection, Was his last cover on Surfer ( he was at one stage holding the most covers ever)
He was so ahead of his time, with surfing style,riding twinnies and stingers.Plus his flamboyant self promotion and sponsorships outside of the surf industry set the bar for pro surfing today.
Also could surf big Sunset and Waimea if need be.
Him and Kevin Reed from Santa Cruz were the aerial pioneers. Massive contribution to surfing.
Posted by mix on the 20/02/2012 10:55
PS/ Check the QUAD !
Posted by Millerslocal on the 20/02/2012 11:04
Larry Bertelmann as shot by good mate Craig Fineman, who was also a famous skate photag at the time.
Posted by Barry Campbell on the 20/02/2012 12:16
That was right in my era. I would put my money on Larry Bertleman, saw him doing like that stuff in Hawaii, even before Mart the Dart was doing it! The other big hair charger of the time was Buttons, doing similar stuff, but he was a bigger guy than LB. My money’s on LB.
Posted by Jesse Langemann on the 20/02/2012 13:11
"used to do "Berts" on the asphalt banks in the school yards!" lol
Posted by John McCarthy on the 20/02/2012 14:45
Hey Guys thanks for all the input! Yea this surfing is inspiring to say the least especially considering it comes from 1984. The consensus seems to be going with LB. We're gonna try track Larry down to see if it is in fact him and see if he'll update us on what he's been up to for the last couple of decades. Richard von Wildemann you are looking good for a limited edition BOMBsurf T, can you mail me your postal and T size to john@thebombsurf.com?
Posted by Anton on the 20/02/2012 15:21
definitely larry, richard takes the t-shirt.
art brewer took the pic. block of wax for getting that right?
Posted by Henk on the 20/02/2012 16:22
This is Martin Potter
Posted by neville on the 20/02/2012 17:24
Martin Potter
Posted by Ryan McMeeking on the 20/02/2012 17:57
I think Warren's got it (Montgomery "Buttons" Kaluhiokalani) - my first choice would have been Potz, but I think he was riding Safari twinnies or T&C's at the time - with that haircut its gotta be Buttons!
Posted by Ashley Legg on the 20/02/2012 21:17
It's Larry Bertlemann
Posted by Bandit on the 21/02/2012 05:17
Larry Bertleman
Posted by ham on the 21/02/2012 08:55
chris osborn from the bluff was doing that in std6 .
He matriculated in 86
Posted by ham on the 21/02/2012 08:56
Dane Kealoha
Posted by bikoumou patrick on the 21/02/2012 17:29
Dane kehaloa
Posted by Rowan Whitfield on the 21/02/2012 18:08
Well, that looks very much like Dane? Larry Bertleman or Buttons is a good bet? also Michael Ho comes to mind. I tink it's Larry Bertleman, Michasl was'nt as big as that? Button's was a lancky kid?
Posted by Mouse Billson on the 21/02/2012 20:02
Dane Kiolao ( speeling surname not good)
Posted by William on the 23/02/2012 13:38
The Great Dane.
Posted by Larry Bertlemann on the 24/02/2012 06:39
The photo is me Larry Bertlemann but back in the 70"s
it"s called a Larrial!!!
Posted by John McC on the 27/02/2012 11:39
Hey guys check the cool follow up that Anton Louw did:
http://www.thebombsurf.com/blog/7/142/an-investigation-into-the-source-of-modern-ripping
Posted by Ofentse on the 21/03/2012 17:45
Pretty nice post. I just came by your blog and wanted to tshayat I've really liked reading your posts. Any wayI'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon!
Posted by scooter raynor on the 28/04/2012 03:47
its Larry Bertelmann!
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