Invest In Surfing Memorabilia And Avoid A Wipe-out, Dude

The Age

Saturday August 23, 2008

Alison Aprhys

THE economy may be rattling banks and real estate agents, but Mick Mock reckons there has never been a better time to invest in surfing memorabilia.

Mock, the founder and director of the annual Sydney Surf Auction, believes that unlike a new car or house, every surfer can afford to buy something that gives them a piece of Australian surfing history.

"Surfing memorabilia is affordable to most people who want to get something," says the proprietor of surfing memorabilia store Little Dragon. "For around $100-$200, the average surfer can buy a book or magazine, whereas they may be unable to spend a couple of thousand on a surfboard."

The respected surf collector feels that in the present economy smaller-ticket items such as books, magazines, photographs, ceramics and clothing will come into their own. "This year, I'll have more of these up for auction," he says.

Preparing for his eighth auction, Mock says that Australian surfing items are still undervalued and expects several US buyers to be in Sydney looking for bargains as usual.

In between taking calls and answering letters (he eschews emails) from collectors interested in buying or selling particular pieces, he hopes that the September 12 cut-off date for registering items for sale will allow people to clean out their garage and retrieve that forgotten board.

The October event has become an annual gathering of the tribes, with collectors from all over Australia and the US attending in the hope of finding something special.

This year, Mock expects a copy of the recent Surf-O-Rama - Treasures of Australian Surfing, rather than the latest mobile phone, to be the latest bidding accessory.

Written by veteran surf culture author Murray Walding, the tome is a veritable "what's what" of collectable surfing items. Its clear, concise text and listings are sure to cause a few surf collectors to grind their teeth in frustration as surf collecting's esoteric details become more public.

"This year will be good for cashed-up people such as surfing lawyers," predicts Mock, adding that the usual suspects such as industry figures, pro surfers and museums have already shown interest.

The auction will again take place at Freshwater's Harbord Diggers, opposite the beach where Duke Kahanamoku first demonstrated surfing.

© 2008 The Age

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