I lived in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, surfing at either 14th Street, Hermosa Beach, or in front of my parents' home at the Manhattan Beach pier, when the Auga first showed its finless, unusual concave bottom. Given Bing's creativity, I have no doubt he created it. My dim recollection has been proved off by months by Bing's detailed business records, but I do recall guys from Bing's team riding the Auga in a crouched down style, doing endless spinners at some point in the early '70s.
Truly futuristic!
I then spent summer 1975 in Lahaina, working at Lahaina Guitar, and saw several former-Bing team guys continuing their improvisations, to my recollection, at Olawalu.
I believe that Dale Simonson of mat and finless fame has a collection of great stories about the Auga.
Bing, this board should have been discussed in the book. Perhaps Paul can add it to the second edition.
I am so lucky to have been a Bing guy from grade school through winter 1973-1974.
Rory Wicks
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