Bob Cooper is an American/Australian surfer, shaper and entrepreneur born in 1937 in California. Bob started surfing at Malibu Beach in 1952, later working for the likes of Dale Velzy, Reynolds Yater and Tom Morey. Bob was one of the first Americans to travel to Australia, bringing with him USA surfboard-building leading innovation. Around 1963, Bob visited Queensland, Australia where he worked with Bob McTavish, Russell Hughes and Algie Grud at the Hayden Kenny factory on the Sunshine Coast. Bob went back-and-forth between Australia and the USA, eventually leaving the US for good at the height of his surfing popularity in California. Bob and his new wife first moved to France for a year in 1968, and then settled permanently in Australia in 1969. Bob and his wife set up Cooper’s Surf Shop in Coffs Harbour, NSW in 1969, with this store at one time being the largest surf shop in Australia. Bob was a keen driver of the initial shortboard revolution of the 1970’s. Bob’s craftsmanship skills and knowledge of the latest shaping and glassing techniques and trends helped make him one of the most innovative shapers in Australia at the time. Bob crafted surfboards that helped launch and shape the modern era of surfing, especially in Australia. Bob made boards his entire life, sadly passing away in 2020 at age 82. He is considered one of Australia's most respected and influential shapers and surfing mentors, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of shapers and surfers in Australia and around the world.
