Who made the first kneeboards? (that weren't flex spoons)

[Tony Wales]

The earliest reference I can find to modern kneeboarding is a photo by Don James in his book "Surfing San Onofre to Point Dume. 1936-1942".

It's a shot of a kneelo on a left hander, the surfer is Jackie Googan at San Onofre in 1937.

Jackie Coogan was an actor, he was “the kid” in Charlie Chaplin’s seminal 1921 movie “The Kid” and went on to be Uncle Fester in the 1960’s TV comedy The Addams Family. At the time of the photo Coogan was married to actress Betty Grable and they lived at Malibu.

So there you go! For all the eccentricities of the various members of the Addams Family perhaps the weirdest was that Uncle Fester was a kneelo!

[rick mottola]

very weird! and interesting!

[dua anjing]

The earliest reference I can find to modern kneeboarding is a photo by Don James in his book "Surfing San Onofre to Point Dume. 1936-1942".

It's a shot of a kneelo on a left hander, the surfer is Jackie Googan at San Onofre in 1937.

Jackie Coogan was an actor, he was “the kid” in Charlie Chaplin’s seminal 1921 movie “The Kid” and went on to be Uncle Fester in the 1960’s TV comedy The Addams Family. At the time of the photo Coogan was married to actress Betty Grable and they lived at Malibu.

So there you go! For all the eccentricities of the various members of the Addams Family perhaps the weirdest was that Uncle Fester was a kneelo!

Well at least that explains my receding hairline, obviously related to kneeboarding

[RMcKnee]

At the time of the photo Coogan was married to actress Betty Grable and they lived at Malibu.

Far out Tony! I never knew Coogan was married to Betty Grable. She was incredibly famous for her legs and was something of a pin-up girl during WWII. This is kind of the mid twentieth century equivalent of Mike Fernandez being married to Paris Hilton, except Betty had way more talent, much better looks and oodles more class.

[KenM]

McKnee, more geat stuff. I have that book by Nat too and it's guess where? Yep , in a box somewhere in the garage.
Tony, that's too juicy, I knew Jackie Coogan was a surfer but Uncle Fester as the father of modern kneeboarding, well, that says it all!

[kidrock]

So Uncle Fester was the first kneeboarder, huh?

Maybe Grampa Munster created the first Spoon.

Interesting, and maybe a little depressing as well. It would've made better print if the first kneeboarder were, say, Douglas Fairbanks or Howard Hughes...but Uncle Fester?

No wonder we're a bunch of outcasts.

[RMcKnee]

Maybe Grampa Munster created the first Spoon.

More likely Herman.
Don't laugh Kid, ever noticed how Greenough has that real square shaped hair-do? What's he hiding under that mullet?

Say it ain't so!!!

[Tony Wales]

At the time of the photo Coogan was married to actress Betty Grable and they lived at Malibu.

Far out Tony! I never knew Coogan was married to Betty Grable. She was incredibly famous for her legs and was something of a pin-up girl during WWII. This is kind of the mid twentieth century equivalent of Mike Fernandez being married to Paris Hilton, except Betty had way more talent, much better looks and oodles more class.

This is what Don James had to say about Coogan and Gable:

Jackie Coogan used to bring his wife, Betty Gable, with him to San Onofre, and she would complain constantly, saying things like "get me off this filthy beach".

"One day Coogan had sold all of Gable's furniture without her permission and then used the proceeds to purchase a new Murcury convertible. Jackie's transgression instigated a tremendous argument. He came out in the water to surf and said "Well, boys, it looks like I'm going to have extra time on my hands; I think I'll chrome my new motor."

Coogan and Gable were married on November 20, 1937, divorced on October 11, 1939. Looks like it was as hard back then to find a good chick to look after your towel as it is now .... (TW ducks for cover awaiting the wrath of the kneeboarding feminist elite ... )

[RMcKnee]

"One day Coogan had sold all of Gable's furniture without her permission and then used the proceeds to purchase a new Murcury convertible. Jackie's transgression instigated a tremendous argument. He came out in the water to surf and said "Well, boys, it looks like I'm going to have extra time on my hands; I think I'll chrome my new motor."

Only a surfer knows that feeling.Classic surfer stuff.
Jackie was obviously the real deal.

If I ever get another new board, this photo's going front and centre on the deck.
With pride.

[analbirth]

Rob, that would look so good. i could make that board for you.

[RMcKnee]

Mr Birth, if I ever get financial again you've got an order.

kneelingBrotha, I bet you never expected this to end up with the Addams family. Goes to show you; kneeboarders, as the roots of modern surfing, have roots like you wouldn't believe.

MODERATOR PLEASE!!!
I would like to move a motion that this thread be officially renamed "The Jackie Coogan Chromeplated Mercury Memorial Thread".

[RMcKnee]

all contest trophies should be copies of the phester photo, he's phat! yo yo yo!

Phabulous!!!

[SFKneelo]

I'm still speechless!

That Uncle Fester lightbulb pic is exactly the image that came to mind when that news broke... I want one on my board too!

Proposal for the next event:

hair-challenged or not (bald wig.)

Lightbulbs.

Life-time achievement tribute group photo.

Oh, the dreams I'll dream tonight! (Betty included!)

[kidrock]

Coogan must've been pretty glib to be able to snag a pelt like Betty Grable...it couldn't have been his impossible good looks.

Either he was a silver-tongued devil, or he was hung like a barn-sour mule.

[kidrock]

DUDE! its cause he was a kneelo! COME ON! twitch twitch!

Oh yeah, I must've forgot...what was I thinking? twitch twitch!