North Shore NewsTom Morey was an engineer who designed many things but the Boogie Board was his most famous contribution to the surfing world. Morey made the lightweight flexible surf riding machine in his backyard in Hawaii in 1971. He used newspapers in the first one, heat sealing them to the foam. He first named the craft S.N.A.K.E but later the boogie for the “wiggle and jiggle” of it all. He was honored recently at a gala fundraiser by the California Surf Museum in Oceanside California. Not only did he work for many engineering firms, Douglas Aircraft and more but he also was the first to make a fin box that also changed the way surfboards are made. Morey was a really interesting guy. He pioneered the first ever wave riding event that paid prize money and also invented a paper hat that was widely sold. He was a drummer, an inventor and a full on likable fun guy! He will be missed!
