Greg Clough originally founded the Aloha brand, and has been an iconic force in the surfing world. Greg’s timeless designs have powered everything. From Pro surfers on the world tour, to countless locals enjoying fun waves and great sessions. So to experience the original Hawaiian Aloha vibe check Greg’s world leading GRC surfboard designs here at Manly Surfboards.
Background
Long before the Aloha brand had established itself on the Australian surf scene, founder Greg Clough, GRC for short, had already embraced the ‘aloha lifestyle’. Greg had spent most of his teen years surfing, hanging out and working in the surfboard industry.
Then in 1969 Greg’s future began to materialise. This was in the form of his own surfboard company called Connexion started with friends on Queensland’s Sunshine coast.
With growing success Connexion moved to Kirra. Here Greg was in touch with what at that time was the happening heart of the Australian surf scene. So the demanding needs of the surfers and waves of the Gold Coast proved the ideal foundation for Greg’s shaping future.
International Exploration
Soon it was Greg’s time to explore the challenges of new surf frontiers. So in 1974 packing up wife, Kay, and dog, Rusty, Greg jumped on a plane to the US.
Quickly gaining insight into the direction of the California surf industry Greg was wanting to explore more. So with family GRC set off to South Africa, at that time a growing hub of international surfing. Rusty the dog meanwhile having spent more time in quarantine than in California.
It was a time gaining additional expertise, designing and building boards for more of the world’s top surfers and waves. Then it was off to Europe continuing to gain expertise, formulating the plan for his dream surfboard company.
Aloha Starts
In 1978 it all fell into place. Sydney’s Northern Beaches was rapidly becoming the centre of world surfing. There were more Champions and surf professionals based on that part of the coast than anywhere else.
So returning home Greg was in his element.
Bringing a world of knowledge, design and expertise Greg’s reputation for producing magic surfboards grew fast within the elite of the surfing fraternity. Greg notes he’d toured the world only to realise his dream in his own backyard.
With no money a wife and dog, GRC started Aloha Surfboards in Manly Vale and has never looked back.
Aloha’s momentum picked up quickly. With stints following the World Tour and guest-shaping in Japan and the United States Greg’s brand became known to the entire surfing world.
Design Excellence & Aloha Lifestyle
The elite surfing of the World Tour has helped shape GRC design excellence, while the attraction of its core Aloha-ethos has never diminished. The honour role of Team Riders reads like a Who’s Who of surfing champions. Most joining in their Junior ranks seeing Greg’s design’s as a key to their surfing success.
In 1979 two soon-to-be World Champions came on board. A young Barton Lynch soon joined by Damien Hardman. A few years later Aloha’s first girl team member Pam Burridge went on to claim the Womens World Championship title.
Other big names that have ridden GRC designed surfboards include Richard Cram, Shane Powell, Chris Davidson, Beau Emerton, Luke Egan, Johnny Boy Gommes, Nathan Hedge, Richie Lovett, Dayyan Neve and Kai Otton.
World Tour & Local Results
With all this professional energy flowing through the Aloha factory exceptional designs were a natural result. So not only were Aloha’s Team getting international competitive success, countless local surfers were getting their best equipment and their best surf sessions.
Today Greg’s designs are as exceptional as ever. They cover every aspect of your surfing lifestyle. From Aloha-style longboards to performance shortboards, hybrid and fish surfboards, and everything in-between.
So get your Aloha-vibe going and check out Greg Clough’s GRC surfboards.
