Mark Rabbidge of RETRO Longboards has been a leader in surf craft design since the 1970s, shaping his first board in 1966 when his regular shaper queried the rails he wanted on his new board. " He wouldn't do it I did" said Mark. "The thing is it worked and ideas about surfboard design grew from there."

Mark shaped for many of Brookvale's iconic surfboard manufacturers and saw first hand many changes in surfboard design. After many years of being a 'shaper for hire' Mark focussed more on building his own brands and ideas about surfboard design. Rabbidge Shapes and Designs have been out there for many years and the "Retro Longboards" brand was born in 1990.

Mark was instrumental in the resurgence of longboarding with his own designs and him wanting to get back in the water after too much time working a regular job. Being too big for a standard shortboard, Mark made some throwback designs that saw him improve his level of stoke and turn heads in the water at North Narrabeen. A few other guys were on the same path over the next five years he won many world rated events against the world's best longboard surfers. Mark doesn't think of himself as a longboarder, just a surfer who rides equipment to suit the conditions.

Married to former world champion surfer Pam Burridge and spending many years on tour with Pam or with the professional longboard tour gave Mark a close look at the highest levels of surfing in the 80's and early 90's with lots of pro surfers riding Mark's shapes over that period.

When a professional longboard tour was born with legends like Nat Young heading the field, Mark finished a heartbreaker close runner-up for the world title in 1987 and had a top five showing over the ensuing years.

Now living in the relative quiet of Bendalong on the New South Wales South Coast Mark still sees the highest level of surfing through local team riders and other surfers who rip at world class breaks in the Ulladulla area.

Rabbidge surf design makes boards in Ulladulla, Australia - Not China, Taiwan or some other third world country (sorry, developing country). "Don't sell out our heritage, there will be no more local shapers soon".

Mark's description;

All my longboards are a subtle blend of curves and concaves with no hard edges so the board effortlessly glides and flows with the wave.

The squash tail design shortens the rail line making this board feel shorter than it actually is. This, combined with a little tail lift, makes the board easy to turn. This Malibu will handle small surf to waves well overhead, it’s capacity is only limited by the skill of the rider. It’s fast ‘down the line’ yet quite forgiving, it was shaped for top performance in medium sized waves but works well in bigger surf too! It will handle a wide range of conditions and suit surfers whether young or older.

Being 9'2" x 22 3/8" x 3 1/8" Malibu there is plenty of buoyancy for easy paddling but it’s easy to get your arm around when carrying and it’s GREAT TO RIDE.......This Retro Mal really helps perpetuate the smooth Longboard style. With its flatter rocker, this Malibu goes well in anything whether point breaks or beach breaks. It's a nice weight and may be ridden in traditional style with the big 9" f/glass single fin, for an extra $15 you can have side bite fins. With 60/40 rails and 'squash' tail to enhance manoeuvrability. This board has GOOD ROCKER and is IDEAL for all the CLASSIC MOVES. There have been a few small professional repairs and there are some heel dents from use, typical of a used but well very made Australian board. This is an excellent opportunity to buy a really well made hand crafted board by this renowned shaper at less than half new 'custom' price. Just wax-up and hit your favourite surf spot.....

I'm clearing other boards incl. McTavish, Jackson, Robert August, Noosa Longboards, Wayne Deane, Kenno plus more. Lengths vary from 9’0” to10’ plus, I've just got too many boards, so some have to go.

Any questions please ask.

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