Thrust into the spotlight
Thrust
May 9, 2011
Photos by Spencer Hornby
Simon Anderson launches his new biography on the 30th anniversary of his defining moment at ’81 Bells.
There were more world titles in the room than fins in Kelly Slater’s quiver when Simon Anderson launched his new biography, Thrust, during the Rip Curl Pro.
While Rip Curl celebrated the 50th anniversary of the very first Bells event, it was also 30 years since Simon changed surfboard design forever with his historic display on a 6’6” three-finned Thruster in huge waves on Easter Saturday, 1981.
And to mark the occasion Surfing World unveiled the definitive biography of the great man, in front of a packed crowd at Quiksilver’s Torquay HQ. Simon was his typically dry and humble self as he addressed the gathering, including world champs Martin Potter, Pam Burridge, Damien Hardman, Layne Beachley and Stephanie Gilmore.
Thrust is the result of a year-long collaboration between Simon and SW’s own Tim Baker, the best-selling author of Occy, High Surf and Bustin’ Down The Door. An illustrious list of surfing’s greatest writers and photographers also contributed to this landmark publication, including Phil Jarratt, Andrew Kidman, Derek Hynd, Hugh McLeod, Peter Crawford, Jeff Divine, Dan Merkel, and many others.
The result is a stunning, 200 page coffee table style book which tells the remarkable story of how a kid from Collaroy went on to completely alter the surfing landscape.
Co-author Tim Baker, fellow surf journalists Kirk Willcox and Phil Jarratt, and two-time world champ Damien Hardman paid tribute to Simon’s many achievements on the night before the great man himself eventually spoke. Among the evenings more memorable revelations, Damien recalled his first visit to Bells with Simon in 1982 as an over-awed grommet, and how Simon insisted Damien address him only as Admiral Anderson.
Thrust documents Simon’s remarkable career as an elite surfer/shaper, including in recent times his contest winning boards for world champs Kelly Slater and the late Andy Irons.
The book did a brisk trade on the night, especially the 300 limited collector’s editions of Thrust, boxed, leather bound and individually numbered and signed by Simon, which were eagerly snapped up at $300 a pop.
Thrust is one surfing book that every surfer should own, and showcases the talents of one of surfing’s greatest innovators over four decades. Thrust is available for order through the Surfing World website or from most good book stores.
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