Kōrero: Lifesaving and surfing

Surfboards are made in all shapes and sizes, depending on the surfer’s preferences. While many young surfers prefer short boards because of their manoeuvrability, the longer Malibu board has made a comeback. It is often favoured by those who have a more restrained surfing style, including older surfers who learned to surf on long boards. The contrast between the two boards is shown in this 1999 photograph of veteran surfer Mike Murden (foreground) with an 11ft 2in (3.7-metre) board he made, and his son Chris with a short board.