Frank Neilsen RIP

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:39 pm

We lost a great suporter of Kneelos recently.
Frank was a good friend of Damien Coase who ran the Central Coast Christmas Kneeboard Classic for many years -over 100 competitors some years.
Frank was a judge and head judge at this event over the years.
He also was a judge and head judge at the World Kneelo titles in NZ.

Condolences to his family, his son Dave was well known surfer who got some results in air comps thru the 90's.

barry · Post by **barry** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:48 pm

Sad to hear Jamie
I remember talking with Frank in nz
He was a very nice guy and his passing is a loss to
the entire surfing community.
my prayers go out to his family.

Steeno · Post by **Steeno** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:42 pm

will be missed....legend

Tony Wales · Post by **Tony Wales** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:49 pm

Very sad news, I judged on many panels with Frank in the 80s and 90s. Vale Frank Nielson.

jamie · Post by **jamie** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:06 pm

Franks funeral was held earlier today.
Many Central Coast kneelos were in attendance along with many surfers, freinds and family.

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:35 pm

Good on ya Jamie

I shed a few tears for the old bugger today and i dare say writing this will bring on a few more.

Frank was sick for a long time.

He was my art teacher at school and his sons Grant and Dave have been mates of mine for years. Frank was, as mentioned , a revered head judge for surfing australia and always took kneeboarding and kneeboarders seriously. He even made room for a kneeboard division at "Franks splash about!" his very own charity surf contest.
I remember when i was a kid , at one Christmas Classic i drew Farrer, Novakov and Colman in a heat. Frank must have seen the lack of confidence on my face. He pulled me aside and told me i had one hell of a cutback and had as much chance as anyone else at progressing

of course i was ousted, but i still appreciated the pep talk

.
He wanted me to follow my art when i left school, which i have failed to do and i always felt a twinge of guilt when i ran into him around town

.

What a brilliant, funny, gifted and honourable man Frank was. Umina and the entire central coast lost a good man last week.

RIP Frank.

PS Jamie if you saw me at Palm Dale today, sorry i didn't say G'day. didn't much feel like socialising.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:54 pm

Nice testimonial, Ross, especially for those of us who never had the privilege of meeting the man.

hart · Post by **hart** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:25 am

vale Frank Neilsen with regards and respect to his family

hart

rest in peace @ Christmas +