Southside Open 1980

Sandshoes local Graham Cassidy was the driving force behind bringing the worlds best surfers to Cronulla for the $23000 Southside Open World Tour event. The 4 day waiting period was blessed with good to average waves which lucky considering  Cronullas usual fickle beachy standards. The Trials were held at Sandshoes and the 6 man heats found the small take off area a real battle where 72 riders were culled down to 13 only advancing to the main event.On the final day 2 surfers had stood out from the pack. Hawaiian Dane Kealoha and Queenslands Wayne Rabbit Bartholmew. A best of three set final saw Dane take the first with some explosive moves. The second went to Bugs and in the final heat Rabbit  had superior wave choice and walked away with the cheque presented by NSW Premier Nevil Wran. Info and pics from Waves Issue No 2.