584 - Bob McTavish: Part Three

584 - Bob McTavish: Part Three

From Surf Splendor by David Lee Scales

February 5, 2026 · 2h 1m · Episode 584

About this episode

Bob McTavish discusses the evolution of surfboard fins and their design influences.

In today's show Bob McTavish attributes his biggest design epiphanies to the evolution of the surfboard fin, and each of those to a personal relationship that sparked his inspiration. He shares how Dave Rastovich altered his perception on hydrodynamics, reveals the unfathomable generosity of Bill Bahne, the ingenuity of Tom Morey and Carl Pope, explains how the Sydney ferry and Greenough's tuna fishing's influenced fin design, reflects on surfing Noosa before the streets were paved, preaches the supremacy of asymmetry, reflects on the birth of the body board, and how Bunker Spreckles' El Rollos' altered his rail designs. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: David Lee Scales

Guest: Bob McTavish

Topics covered

  • surfboard design
  • fin evolution
  • hydrodynamics
  • surf culture
  • asymmetry in design
  • body board history

Keywords

  • surfboard fins
  • design epiphanies
  • surfing history
  • hydrodynamics
  • asymmetry
  • body board
  • Bunker Spreckles

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Noosa

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