Just letting everyone on seabreeze know the terrible news that Rod Hocker suffered a heart attack and passed away in the surf at Arrawarra today. Rod put everything into his surfing and always pushed his limits, and was very progressive in the shaping and building of his SUPs and boards. My condolences to his family and we will miss his banter in the surf.
So sad to hear of Rod's passing. Yes logshack he was very progressive. I just picked up a new shape off Rod last Wednesday.
He called it the Paipo and was really excited about it. The northerlys have stopped me from trying out this new gem
and unfortunately I can't give Rod some feed back on his new shape. But then he could be shaping David Bowie a board right now
Rod was a great mate and a great shaper his knowledge is a massive loss to the industry. Rod loved the point and now he is a part of it , I will get to surf it with him everyday now RIP old mate.
I'll so miss our yarns in the car park, on the beach, at the factory. I'll ride my fine sleds with pride. Ride that wave forever my friend.......
While posting about shaping your technical increments were so enriching to me. Your passion will miss to mine.
RIP Rod, So glad I got to see you and chat at the factory this week. You will be missed and I will ride your boards with pride. Smitty he was glassing that board while we where talking. Ride forever Rod and say g'day to Simmo for me. My condolences to his family whom he lived his life around.
I am sitting here in total shock. I distinctly remember in late 2006 sitting at Rods house and him showing me a video of some SUP . He said " I reckon we should be having a crack at this" within a week or two we were fumbling around at the point on the first board he made.
Innovative and progressive a big loss.
RIP Rod .
I didn't know Rod well But I got him to shape me a custom surf SUP back in 2009 and it was one of the better SUPs I've owned. Back then he was making his own paddles too. Sorry to here of his passing. Thanks for contributing to my SUP education Rod.
Wow that news really hit hard I have known Rod since Windsurf and Kite surfing days!! Made me the best kiteboard I think I ever rode!! Had several beers with Rod at the Scotts Head paddle weekend last year and as always really enjoyed chatting with him about his latest shapes and thoughts!! RIP mate
Very sad news,I loved Rod's enthusiasm and lateral thinking,he will be sadly missed.
RIP.
Annie and I were a big part of rods sup development and were grateful for every board he shaped fo
r us,I spoke to him that day.RIP old mate,you were a true shaping genius,
Sad news. Rod was a really nice guy. I enjoyed listening to his story's over the years. Rest in peace mate.
Luke
I was camping at Arrawarra that fateful Saturday with my son Daniel. The swell was running, up to 6 foot sets, a bit messy with a light northerly. Around 4pm a storm built to the south west. It was spectacular with a defined leading edge so Dan and I took some photos from the beach as it approached. There were different layers of dark clouds swirling and changing as each minute passed. The rain came down and a strong south wester flattened the ocean. The beach cleared as everyone ran for cover. About 1/2 hour later, while still raining, the back edge of the storm approached. You could see the blue sky through the falling rain. Dan and I grabbed our boards and ran to the headland. The sun broke through and there was this incredible contrast, black as black out to sea, bright and blue to the west, and above was a sharp edge of rapidly departing storm clouds. There was mist rising around the shoreline. A huge flock of seagulls was circling the beach not knowing whether to go to sea or sit on the sand. The green colours of the headland were so intense. Everywhere we looked was a wonder of nature, and the surf, it was going off, only 5 others out! Glassy, no wind, long rides. The few of us there were having the surf of our lives. Then others started to join the fun and it wasn't long before Rod started paddling out, chatting away to each that he passed. I made a smart arse remark "About time you came out" and he replied "Hey I've been working!". I paddled with him for a while and he told me he had just sailed the last 3 days on his kite at Park Beach. I stopped about 2/3 of the way out and he continued to the back line-up where it was breaking much too heavy for my liking. Rod's a shredder and I've seen him push that SUP board like he was a teenager. It seemed like only a couple of minutes later and 2 or 3 guys shot past riding the foam and yelling for help. I looked over and could see 4 or so guys surrounding Rod. They were getting pounded by the sets. It was frantic but every board rider came over and helped get Rod to shore. Some fresh legs were waiting and it seemed some had medical training as they worked on him. The Ambulance arrived a couple of minutes later and despite their best efforts, Rod could not be revived. I'm not religious or overly spiritual but I am struggling to comprehend how a moment of such natural beauty can coincide with another moment of utter tragedy. Many questions swirl in my head but they will never get answered. I will certainly miss him.
I had just returned from Fiji and we flew over that storm...as we circled Coffs the whole area was pumping...waves everywhere as the storm moved away...as you mentioned gm1, it was a magical afternoon...I can not begin to describe the shock when receiving news of Rods fate the next day....Rod has been a mate for a long time and being in the same industry it was always great to talk design with Rod, he was very focused on his ideas but always open for discussion. I owe Rod a priceless debt. it was his dogged determination that got me into kite surfing...he said to me you have to do this...and then blocked every excuse I had for not doing it...I'm too old I said....but you are not dead he would say.....I do not have the time....we can make time he would say....I can't afford the gear...you can use mine he would say....then he would ring me and tell me to meet him whenever the wind was good for learning...to the point where I was thinking...this guy is relentless...I can still hear his voice yelling at me LET GO OF THE BAR!!
Around six or eight weeks ago I had pumped up my kite and was walking up wind to our favourite spot, Rod and a few mates had been there maybe 10 minutes before me and were already kiting...I noticed Rod coming into the shore and awkwardly drop his kite... then he did this funny goose step walking away from his kite...I thought this is weird...he then fell straight on his back in a few inches of water...he was out....by the time I had run the 50 or 60 mtrs to get to him a couple of waves had gone over his head...I knelt down beside him lifting his head to check his airways thinking I'm going to start the chest pumps when he came too and stared up at me....a few days later he told me he had booked himself in for a check up, and the next time I saw him he said all good, passed the stress test and I'm fine.
My sincere condolences to his family.....I am forever in your debt mate and may you rest in peace.
Thanks for the great kiting, sailing and suping over the years with you Rod.
Along with the wealth of design knowledge you were always generous enough to share, and the wonderful stories you told from all the way back to Gerro shaping/sailling days, you would just as regularly talk about Sue and the kids, with that same sparkle of pride and teenage enthusiasm that you always had for shaping and the ocean. In my estimation, that placed you right at the top of people deserving of respect.
The kiting, windsurfing and surfing community have lost a leader in innovation. I had the pleasure of having a few paddles with Rod 2 weeks ago, and I got to sample his new 6'8" Hammerhead. What a board!, Rod was like a 13yr old grommet he was so amped to get on the water. As Ron mentioned, he was relentless in getting other people onto the water. I will absolutely treasure the boards he made for me.
I didn't get the sad news until an hour ago, so had been sending messages to him yesterday arvo about supsailing one of his boards in perfect Currumbin 4', and how stoked I was, and he was setting up a new 7'2" hammerhead to sail, and I couldn't wait. His enthusiasm was obviously infectious.
Anyway, I ramble when sad, so will sign off.
Thanks for everything mate, I'll miss you. Huge condolences to the family.
Mike
Such a sad day. Rod was one of the most passionate sup manufacturers always thinking outside the box. Rod was instrumental in my earlier days of supping. I have a lot to be thankful for in the boards he made and his advice on technique. At times it was a bit of a wait for a board, but Rod always put his family before his work. Organising the kids for school, then picking them up in the afternoons. So sad for his family. Arrawarra point will never be the same without Rod's cheek and smile. A character that the sup industry will never replace. Condolences to his beautiful wife and family. RIP mate you will be missed.
Such sad news a real loss to the industry his loss goes right to the soul much condolences to family RIP ROD
My 2 board RH collection and now definite keepers.
+1 to all above comments.
While my contact with Rod was short it was truly inspiring and now have the best surfing boards I have had.
RIP
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Hi all I spoke with Sue today and with the undetermined circumstances surrounding Rods passing a autopsy is to be conducted. This means that the funeral is likely to be early next week with the paddle out at Arrawarra point that weekend.I will post the details when available.
Rod is my uncle, and after reading all this I just had to make a profile so I could thank you all. it makes my heart feel so warm to read all of your loving, kind words. Such devastating news but if there is one positive it's that he went the best way possible and that is doing what he loves. Love you so much Rod gonna miss you everyday and with every wave I'll feel safe and stoked that you'll be riding with me . Keep riding xxx
Annie on her favoutite surfshape at firstpoint noosa,rod made this 6'6" twinnie for himself as a prone board,at 64 ltrs its a perfect sup for a lightweight 
I would like everyone to see some photo's Rod sent me a while ago of him surfing in his prime at Kalbari in WA.
It was around 1979 and he has a trophy for getting 3rd in the State.
He said "I love that trophy cause it says I can surf at one time
"
Hi all,
The family has been informed that Rods passing was from drowning. The funeral service is on Monday 1st February 3pm at Keith Logue Crematorium, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour. All are invited to stay for Refreshments at Crematorium afterwards.
A paddle out is being organized by the family for Saturday 6th February, at Arrawarra Point, time to be advised closer to the day.
Sue and the family are very appreciative of all the kind and loving posts from Rods surfing family.
Thanks beersup,
HelI can't imagine him just drowning. We will never know I suppose. my uneducated guess would be he passed out again causing him to drown .
Very sad . I feel deeply for the family.
