Simon Anderson is one of the most important, and underated, figures in surfing. Born in Sydney, Australia on July 7, 1954 Simon achieved some fame as a pro surfer in the 70's and 80's but his main contribution to surfing is his invention of the three fin "Thruster" system for surfboards in the early '80's. The high point of Simon's pro surfing career was in 1977, when he won the Bells' Easter event and Sydney's Coke Surfabout back to back on single fin surfboards that were then the industry standard. The wins put him into the top 10 and made him a contender for the world title. Regretably at this time Mark Richards, another surfing great, developed the twin fin system, where the single fin in the middle and rear of the surfboard was replaced with two smaller fins at the side and further forward, an innovation that ensured that during sharp turns on steep waves one fin was in the water to provide direction and control. In a matter of months twin fin boards were winning all the events, whereas Simon's size (over 6 feet tall) and style was more suited to the single fin system. Growing frustration led Simon to experiment with an even more radical set up, three fins; one fin at the back of the board and two fins further forward and to the side. This set up ensured that under most circumstances the middle and a side fin were in the water at all times, offering improved control and drive. Simon took his revolutionary set up to the U.S. where he met with limited sucess but on returning to Sydney and his board making factory, Simon created two more Thrusters which he used to great effect, winning the Bells - Coke double again. The Thruster era had begun, Simon Anderson's three fin system is by far the most popular layout for short boards to this day. Jump to: navigation, search Surfing outside Kaneohe Bay, Hawai‘i. ... Mark Richards is a surfer from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. ...