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KERRY O'BRIEN, PRESENTER: Over the past century surfing has gone from a fringe pastime to being firmly in the mainstream. Its fashion and its mythology are now at the heart of a multi-billion dollar industry. Crucial to its transformation was the short board revolution of the 1960s when surfboards became dramatically smaller and more manoeuvrable. But exactly who started this revolution has split the surfing world between those who credit Australia's legendary shaper Bob McTavish and America's Dick Brewer. The dispute is at the heart of the new Australian documentary Going Vertical, being released nationally tomorrow. John Taylor reports.
JOHN TAYLOR, REPORTER: In the 1950s and '60s, surfing was a sub-culture of endless summers, big boards and graceful gliding. But by the end of 1968, a wave of change had washed over surfing, what's now called the short board revolution.
BOB MCTAVISH, SURFBOARD MAKER: Before the short board revolution, boards went, "Neeeeh", (moves hand horizontally) like this. After the short board revolution, boards went like this (moves hand in a wave motion). That's how big a change.
DICK BREWER, : It's the most important event in the history of surfing.
JOHN TAYLOR: Two surfboard makers were at the centre of the revolution - American Dick Brewer and Australian Bob McTavish. And for decades, debate has raged over who really led the way,
PHIL JARRATT, NOOSA FESTIVAL ORGANISER: Will it ever be resolved? Because they're not gettin' any younger. It's a touchy subject.
JOHN TAYLOR: As a young man, Australian Bob McTavish embraced a now...