Sup Maniacs .. longboard sup special Ray and Linda Gleave

SUP Maniacs No 8 - Ray & Linda Gleave

A big welcome to both Ray & Linda Gleave



To Sup Maniacs Pty Ltd



Linda Gleave and @Ray Gleave



Some surfers make it look easy



Ray Gleave has been doing that for decades - across longboards, SUPs, and whatever craft best suits the day. His surfing is about flow, timing, and letting the wave do the work. No fuss, no rush - just clean lines shaped by years in the water and a deep understanding of how waves move.



Ray has seen surfing evolve through many eras, but his approach has stayed consistent: surf with respect, read the ocean properly, and enjoy the glide. Whether it's a traditional longboard or a longboard SUP, the foundation is the same - balance, positioning, and style.



Off the water, Ray is equally grounded. Over the years he's passed on hundreds of trophies to local competitions and disabled surfing events, helping others keep things going and giving those wins a second life. At contests, he's always approachable - happy to talk boards, technique, or simply watch how the next generation is progressing.



Alongside Ray is Linda Gleave, a committed SUP surfer, travelling partner, and constant presence in the lineup. Together they show that surfing isn't just about performance or results - it's about staying active, staying curious, and sharing time in the water.



This conversation looks at longboard SUP as a lifelong craft, the value of experience, and why doing things with respect still matters. That's SUP Maniacs ??



SUP Maniacs Interview - Ray & Linda Gleave



The Godfather of Glide, Giving Back, and Longboard SUP



Q1. Ray, you're recognised globally for your longboard style and flow. How did the transition to SUP feel for you, and how have you stayed true to that longboard DNA?



Ray:



I transitioned easily to SUP surfing by riding bigger boards than I probably needed at the time. I let the SUP draw its own lines, using the paddle in coordination with turns rather than over-using it - that was important for me to stay true to my longboard style.



I've ridden multiple lengths and designs, right down to seven-footers, but I keep returning to the traditional boards over 10 feet. That's my happy place. For me, the glide is where it's at.



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Q2. You've donated hundreds of trophies you've won over your career. What motivated that decision, and what does giving back mean to you?



Ray:



I donated most of my trophies simply because I didn't have the storage for them - they weren't on display. I took all the plaques off, with the idea that one day I might glue them onto a board.



I've actually re-won some of those trophies a second time. I've kept my world title trophies and a few decorative handmade pieces, but it feels good donating the rest. It helps reduce the cost of running events, and someone else benefits from an up-cycled memento. That part feels right.



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Q3. If you were to describe a perfect 10-point longboard SUP ride, what would it include?



Ray:



A perfect 10-point ride includes using all of the board when the wave allows. Clean, completed turns, fully committing to nose riding in the critical part of the wave, and finishing the wave smoothly.



My best manoeuvre is the drop-knee cutback - I use it on every turn.



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Q4. Nose riding is a strength of yours. What separates a good noseride from a high-scoring one?



Ray:



Nose riding requires balance and controlled positioning on the wave. You score the highest points by holding a nose ride in the most critical part of the wave.



Scoring depends on timing, the length of the ride, and performing it confidently. Commitment is everything.



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Q5. Fin choice has always been central to longboarding. How important is fin selection for you, especially in SUP?



Ray:



My preference in both longboarding and SUP is a single fin with the right flex. I use the rails to substitute for side fins.



I approach SUP surfing the same way I do longboarding - by designing my own boards with fine rails for ultimate performance.



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Q6. Linda, you've surfed, travelled, and competed alongside Ray for years. How has that shaped your SUP journey?



Linda:



I started SUP surfing in 2012, and Ray has gifted me years of knowledge and coaching - although I still consider myself an apprentice.



When we're surfing, he encourages me with positioning, suggests where I can improve, points out moves to work on, but most of all he cheers me on when I get a good ride. That support means a lot.



I've been fortunate to try many boards from Ray's ever-evolving quiver, but I feel most confident on a shorter SUP. My newest toy is a custom '64 Model - 7' x 25?" twinny - designed by Ray and shaped by a local legend. I hope to be SUP-ing in one form or another until a very fine age.



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Q7. Ray, SUP has faced resistance in parts of the surf world. Having seen these cycles before, how do you view SUP acceptance today?



Ray:



In the early days, SUP boards were built like boats. People were catching more than their share of waves, and some riders came from non-surfing backgrounds, which created unsafe situations.



Modern SUPs are far more refined and manoeuvrable. Acceptance comes down to rideability, choosing the right breaks, and knowing your place in the lineup.



Back in the '70s, I took my big, heavy longboard to Burleigh Heads and got heckled by shortboarders while walking around the hill. After my surf, the loudest one yelled, "Lucky you can ride that thing!"



That's not unfamiliar to what SUP riders still deal with at times.



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Q8. You're known for being approachable at events. How important is that on-site learning and knowledge sharing for the SUP scene?



Ray:



I really appreciate being at comps and seeing how SUP boards and surfing styles continue to evolve. I'm always up for a chat - to give and receive knowledge.



What took me years to learn is now available at the swipe of a finger. It's interesting how quickly people can improve their surfing these days.



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Q9. You're both surfing at an elite level well into your 60s. What keeps you fit and healthy?



Ray & Linda:



We both stay busy - movement is key for us. We often surf in ordinary or trying conditions to avoid crowds. We eat healthy and enjoy a cold one at the end of the day.



We don't follow a set exercise regime, but when time allows we'll surf two to three times a day. When we're not road-tripping, we rarely leave our local break. The frequent freight-train sweep gives us the perfect workout for balance and paddle fitness.



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Q10. Looking to the future, where do you see opportunities for longboard SUP to grow, especially internationally?



Ray:



Ideally, a SUP surfing academy could help train talented athletes and keep future generations engaged.



Age inclusion starts in our own backyard. One of the best heats at last year's Scotts Head Paddle Games was the over-70s division - they had the waves and they knew how to ride them. It showed that competition doesn't really have an age bracket.



Ray & Linda:



Surfing together is living our best life.



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