RIP Rod Hocker

I picked up my longboard SUP that he made me, on the Sunday before last from his workshop. I'm so glad I got to see him. I called it his new SUPerMAL. When Rod made a board, he'd send me all the details on length, volume and specs, pics in progress, a few suggestions (I had to keep "reminding" him on the round nose that I wanted). It's takes a while, but always so worth it!! I didn't get to try it out in the surf for a week as the wind and tides were all wrong that week. I did get in a little windy paddle in the harbour here - it floated, turned and paddled really well. I left him a voicemail that afternoon (Friday) telling him how much I loved it and couldn't wait to get it out in the waves. I knew he would have been out in that surf at Arrawarra the next day w that new swell and wind just right, so didn't expect to hear back from him. I knew that he would have loved to see it in action... With a heavy heart, I did finally get out to the point on some left over swell on the Monday, and it was just perfect. So smooth - easy to paddle and turn, and walk up and down. You would be proud Rod.
But you had the most pride for your family, whom you talked about all the time. You will be missed and loved forever.

his wife sue,posted on rods facebook page that he went down twice in huge surf,sounds like two separate times,and didnt come up the second time,eight guys out at the time got him up and to shore,a crew of canadian paramedics worked on him till the ambos arrived but he could not be revived.
still saddened by the loss of a mate.

funeral for rod was yesterday,i had a call from col kingsbury letting me know it was well attended,paddleout at arrawarra is 10am saturday 6th feb.
RIP Rod.

Massive air Hi-5 to big Rod.
Such a legend and funny guy.
Arrawarra pt will miss him!!!!
Everybody remember to live life right now, and make the most out of each day, as if it was our last.

Unfortunately my Surfshapes quiver is locked in, wanted so many more off the great man but these will have too do.


5'11 old school original mutant prone board, 6'8 mutant stand up, 7'8 pocket rocket stand up, clubbie knee paddler. These boards make up a small portion of Rods over 50 years of shaping, throw in surf skis, kite boards and racing sups and there wasn't much left he hadn't shaped.
Rods final paddle out the point is this Saturday 10am at Arrawarra so come and say goodbye to a mate and a shaping genus.

Firstpoint I just finished the mammoth task of sorting out all the old mans profiles and found a a lot of Annie's I've bundled them up and stashed them in the garage at arrawarra so next time your down feel free to drop in and pick them up. I think rod would of wanted you'se guys to have em. Sue knows where they are. If I can figure out how to send ya photos I will

Rod's memorial paddle-out today at Arrawarra.

I had 3 of his boards 7 6" 9 1" gun & mutant 6 8" all great boards it was always good to catch up with him at arrawarra such nice bloke was going up in a couple weeks

Nice..