Your oldest surf t and why you've kept it

[Squidlips]

What are your oldest surf t-shirts, and why cant you just throw them away?

Mine:

A 14 year old billabong 'only a surfer knows the feeling' t shirt with 2 surfers in front of a tropical scene and smoking volcano. was my fave clubbing t shirt and conquered many a fair damsel. now with stretched neck, moth holes and occasional hot rock burns lives in a special place, stuffed at the back of the wardrobe.

It never gets worn and I dont know why, I just cant throw it away!

[Beanpole]

You are a collector. This afliction will continue to grow until you have a vintage t shirt collection. Stop now. Wear them as pyjamas or paint your house with them on or give them to a young relative to destroy. Do it now before its too late.

[Nick Carroll]

Inaugural 1975 Newport Plus Boardriders member's t-shirt.

Qualifiers t-shirt from the 1981 Quiksilver Trials at Bells. You only got one if you made it through, so there were only 16 ever given out.

I'm no collector, they just happened to have survived the years somehow.

[Trev]

I've got a T and 2 long sleeved T's from the 1997 Australian Longboard Championships at Port Macquarie.
Still wear them occasionaly.

I also have a "Skyfire" (forerunner to Riverfire) T shirt from about 1993.
My wife reckons 've got too many T shirts but I collect them from all over the world whenever I'm travelling.
Besides, I don't wear much else these days (being retired and all )
If I want to dress up I wear a polo shirt.
And my leather shoes go mouldy between outings..............

Shit. Trumped by Carroll.

[2nd Reef]

Beaurepaires Open 1984 in mint condition. It's barely been worn. It's pink.

I didn't keep it, but I bought a shirt from Vinnies a few years back with a really old Tracks logo on it. I'd probably place it early 80's.

That's all...

[purple pyramids]

i still have a 'hang loose hawaii' t-shirt from the 70s. does that count as a surf t-shirt? it's a kid's size, too small to wear.

[2nd Reef]

Also got a New Race shirt from the late 70's. Another Vinnies find. Used to be a bit of a Birdman fan.

[Beanpole]

Best was an iron on I had from the 1970? OZ Titles at Coolangatta. That lasted for years but got smaller and holier(not in the religious sense) and I got bigger

Used to enjoy wearing a couple of hogs breath ones but quickly realised you look like a complete tool walking around in comp t shirts that you dudded out in Particularly if you run into old peers who have won numerous longboarding comps. Now good for sleepn in and painting the house as prescribed earlier.

Wish I had an old Kingscliff Boardriders.

[marcus]

a shark island challenge t from 1999 with me on the back in a barrell.
all holes in it now.
don't know what to do with it, but figure i'll want it one day in years to come for some old keepsake memory or whatever.

[chrisb]

Used to enjoy wearing a couple of hogs breath ones

As far as HB's go, I wouldn't advertise a restaurant that served me crappy burnt steaks as was my experience at the Coffs HB.

As for my oldest surf t-shirt, I have a grey early '90's "Endless Summer 2" t-shirt. However I wish I also had an original "Endless Summer" t-shirt from the '60's. I'm quite happy to advertise a good product.

[Beanpole]

Hogs Breath used to do an awesome steak at Bondi before they closed. At least they sponsored the comp. I actually used to like how monumentally cheesy the whole enterprise was so did the kids.

I've got a few old surf ones that are all about to go belly up including an old Oniell one that has a hole where the logo is supposed to be.

I like seeing the distressed look being sold for squillions when the whole rationale is that the wearer is a boho bum who actually lived in these jeans/t shirt/sweater until it wore out rather than a disco bunny in a suit from 9 to 5 and whos life experience revolves around being distressed if theyre latte isn't done right, they missed their hair dressing appointment or their coke dealer is out of town.
Paying top dollar to look like a bum-thank you Andy Warhol.

[Trev]

Haven't been to HB in Coffs but been to plenty of others from Terrigal to Castle Hill to Caloundra and haven't had a bad meal yet. More importantly, my wife likes it, too. So it's win/win. (bit of corporate speak there )
You can now buy curly chips like theirs in Aldi.

[grazza]

I got a 30 year old Aloha T, moth-eaten and stretched out of shape, sitting in my drawer. I was wearing when my son was born, 23+ years ago, and it's there in the photo as I'm giving him his first cuddle. I could never toss it.

[Trev]

You are a collector. This afliction will continue to grow until you have a vintage t shirt collection. Stop now. Wear them as pyjamas or paint your house with them on or give them to a young relative to destroy. Do it now before its too late.

seems to be plenty of collectors on here..

[el rancho]

none for myself to be honest. surf shirts are pretty rank and mum woulda chucked the ones i had when i was a kid.

BUT my Dad still has a coupla early 90s doozies, a dang Rip Curl Bells Pro, burgundy in colour is the main one i can remember...

i do however have some fluoro orange Billabong boardies, proper quick-dry fabric, button-up fly, finish above the knee. quality stuff. i rocked them all last summer

[matt...]

not actually a t-shirt, but a singlet...
it's a mambo cannibal white singlet from about '83 or '84 from memory.
good quality cotton, perfect for cleaning the windows of my car after a wash!

[puurri]

does a Captain Goodvibes T count??

[astro]

YES