KH – One of a Kind

KH Dbah Tuberider Photo: Peter Crawford

1976, Dee Why Beach, NSW

I was watching this young guy carve up a shorey at Dee Why in the Final qualifying event for The O’Neill Pro Kneeboard contest. He won the event from a skinny young fella from Maroubra. His name: Ken Horton; the skinny bloke: David Parkes. They have been friends ever since, as a matter of fact we all have after I met them both that day on the beach.

What I found amazing was Ken Horton’s beautiful style: flow, grace and power; positioning himself in the pocket; never far from the power source; lovely to watch. Why was it amazing? Ken was 16 years old, yet he looked like he had been surfing that way for years. 

Class Act

Kneeboard contest surfing was tough stuff in the ‘70s. Australia had 6-man heats, every surfer wanting to win; no quarter asked; none given. That stylish, 16 year old surfer from Mona Vale was up against hard-core grizzlies. And he came through because of his natural ability and style. 

Making the Final of the O’Neill Kneeboard Pro, KH went on to represent his State many times.

Different Boards

In school, KH was an athlete, the type of guy who could run all day and never give up; the type of guy you want on your team. He learnt to surf big, powerful waves as a grommet, following the older crew around to ‘Rock Pool’, the grunty right-hander and big lefts at outside Mona Vale. He can tube ride with the best of them, probably better.

His boards were unique and still are. He has stayed faithful to his beliefs in what works for him, because he knows exactly what does work for him.

KH has contributed so much to the progression of kneeboard surfing, maybe more than he even knows. The balance, power and speed enveloped in his beautiful style has had only a positive effect on us all. He has influenced many a kneeboard rider. In the ‘70s there were individuals that shaped all of us individually and who helped lift the standard of kneeboard surfing. KH is one of those Influencers. He is One of A Kind, a gem, a rare gem.

My memories with KH are precious to me. Listening to George Benson’s album, “Breezin” before we went surfing together; him laughing at me balancing peas on a knife whilst eating his wonderful mum’s Sunday roast; the insane tubes he got in Victoria when he came to stay. KH has had that many barrels his eyes look like 2 spinning green-blue tubes with the sun reflecting off the roof! And he has this totally surf-stoked demeanor – always happy and smiling. 

In summary, glean what you can from many; become your own person; develop your own, unique style. Give credit back to the ones who have helped shape your style.

In a small way, this is a thank you to Ken for being that unique, inspiring, One of A Kind.

NL

4 thoughts on “KH – One of a Kind

  1. Hi Neil.
    I grew up surfing the Mornington Peninsula. The Point, PT Leo and a lot of Flinders.
    My first kneeboard was an Island I bought from Ted Braindamage, I mean Bainbridge.
    Clear single fin in a box with small finlets? you’d stuck where we put thruster fins now.
    Yellow and blue stripe down the stringer line.
    I’m sure you remember it. LOL
    I was struggling to stand up (too slow), first wave on you board, took off and instantly started turning top to bottom right in front of my mates who were struggling to get to their feet.
    They stopped calling me cripple once I started picking off waves outside of them. Ha
    I never got to meet you so taking the time to thank you for putting on to kneeboarding.
    Haven’t been in the water for years, looking forward to getting back into it (not a midlife crises just a lifestyle choice).
    Mid eighties I ran into Adrian Marlborough,(little cat Anthony’s little brother and his mate Dave, Black Cat. Billy Yusko.
    Cat was riding your boards, so much better than Pete Wilks at Triggers, but I couldn’t tell Wilks that ,cause they always looked after us at Triggers.
    Adrian would drag me down to the Island every chance we got.
    Wagging school and jumping on the fairy. We always got to the beach late in the arvo, which didn’t stop Adrian dragging me out some beachy before it got too dark.
    “It’s grindin dead babies.”
    And the times out at Express, “just take off at the end. You’ll be right”
    Yeah right, black pit was right.
    He was nuts but trying to do what he was doing pushed me so far.
    He was always hassling me about “squat rotating”.
    Pointing out how your board shapes weren’t flat underneath like Pete Wilkinsons, so he could roll rail to rail.
    He was right of coarse.
    Lived on the Island for a while, Ventnor and Rhyll.
    I think I saw you out at Penguin Parade, Torqouise Ford Pvan?
    Didn’t have my board so watched you (not a stalker) having fun screming on shore late arvo, must have been desperate if it was you. Wetty was purple and yellow?
    Probably wrong, the mull bowl was always offshore back then.
    Definitely getting a board especially now these new fandangled shark repellers are available.
    Stuck 200 k’s west of Rockhampton for the next few months but will be moving to mid Qld coast.
    Hope to surf Lady Musgrave Island.
    I’ll stop boring you with the past and flick around your site.
    Have you still got templates from your late 80’s boards?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.