RAY IN FOR LONG HAUL
SURF SCENE COLUMN
THE first World Surf League event in Queensland, the Noosa Longboard Open, will be broadcast live on 7plus, from Saturday through to Tuesday.
However there’s one longboard legend who won’t be live on the TV coverage and that’s former Australian and multiple malibu champion Ray Gleave, of Kingscliff.
Regarded as the “Godfather of Style” with his classic hang10 noseriding ability and dropknee cutbacks, this malibu maestro is a throwback to the traditional 1960s longboard style.
Gleave, who turns 61 next month, started surfing in 1971. Born in Murwillumbah, he was a country boy at heart and began surfing when he moved to Kingscliff
“It was challenging to learn with no one to teach me how,” said Gleave, who possesses a natural style with flow and rhythm that connects his turns in flawless fashion.
Instead of surfing on a shortboard, he turned to longboarding because “I enjoyed it more.”
Surfing is mostly about having fun and catching waves. Cruising on a longboard suited Gleave’s laidback, easygoing manner.
He won many events including an ASP World Tour event at Surfers Paradise in 1990 and many Malfunction titles from the mid-80s to the new millennium.
“I have lost count of the number of comps I have entered. I donated 360 of my trophies to charity surfing events, minus the plaques,” he said.
His favourite event was a runner-up place in the ISA world titles in 1992 at Hossegor, France.
Gleave was on the way to winning his first world title but during the final he chose to rescue a struggling swimmer in distress.
This selfless act reflects the type of human being Gleave is; he sacrificed his world title to save another person’s life.
“My motivation for surfing comes from my love of longboarding and my best surf trips are the ones when I’m not at work,” said Gleave, who loves travelling with his wife Linda and camping out at surf spots off the beaten track.
“My favourite wave is an uncrowded break,” he said.
When longboarding returned in the early 80s not everyone was happy about the “mals” taking all the waves with such dominating paddling power. He felt the brunt of localism when attempting to surf a contest at Burleigh.
“I was snarled at by the locals due to my choice of weapon, until I came out of the water and the comment was, ‘Lucky you can ride that thing’.”
Gleave commands huge respect as a waterman and the style he carries in the water and on land.
He is inspired by the godfather of the shortboard, revolution shaper Bob McTavish.
“I love Bob’s enthusiasm and together with his son Ben they are still backing me at age 60. They are both willing to try anything with design,” he said.
His choice of boards at the moment are 9 foot 4, and an 11foot single fin.
Gleave reckons he will surf until he dies: “If there’s surf in heaven, I will be there.”
His secret to maintaining his fitness is to keep moving.
“My tips for staying fit and healthy are my love of surfing, I have a healthy diet, I indulge a little and I think young.”