Dick Pearce - unsung hero of British surfing
The Museum of British Surfing reported today the passing of Dick Pearce, who shaped traditional wooden surfboards in North Devon for the last fifty years.
Thousands of British surfers got their first start on one of Dick’s famous ‘surf riders’, and it’s a fitting tribute to him that they’re now going through a revival on our beaches and even have their own world championships. Please visit the Museum’s website for a fuller profile of Dick Pearce and his life.
Courtesy Museum of British Surfing
Dick Pearce was my Great Uncle and like so many people have said he was ‘a true legend and gentleman’. He introduced me to the world of surfing aged 6, where i learnt on a polystrene board, progressing to one of his wooden boards. I remember Uncle Dick showing me around the ‘Tannery’ where he made the wooden surf riders, South Molton, when i was about 10 years old, it was amazing to see how such a popular and fun surf ‘board’ was created using this wonderful machinery and what was bascially a piece of plywood.
1Now in my 30s I still love the whole sufing ‘life’ and am truely thankful to Uncle Dick for the introduction to the surfing world. He was such a kind, passionate and truely incredible man, with a warm heart and will be sorely missed by all that knew him.