Dave Allen

I remember Dave from way back in school. He was always the stylish soul surfer and when everyone else cut their hair in the 80’s he kept it long. Living on the hill just behind Wanda clubhouse Dave was a permanent fixture  tearing up the beachies from Greenhills to Elouera where this shot was taken by Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Brad Whittaker and Dane Wilson

When the Mal resurgence hit in the 90’s Cronulla pair Brad Whittaker and Dane Wilson were the two standouts on the Southside . Tim Vanderlaan captured this classic retro style pic at Voodoo around that time.

 

The Kane Brothers

Mick and Matt Kane were a pair of knock around characters who went hard in and out of the surf. The Brothers  hanged out at Northies Beach in the 70’s with the Alley Boys. Unfortunately the pair have since passed on. Photo below of Matt at The Point in ’77 by Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Steve Yates

Steve was a regular around Wanda Beach in the 70’s and 80’s often seen filming when he wasn’t out surfing. Yatsey has two claim to fames. He swam the English Channel in the 70’s and he appears in the original Puberty Blues film as the lifeguard who gets dacked in the beach fight. photo Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Scotty Topper

In the late 70’s and throughout the best part of the 80’s Wanda Beach was the home territory for a nuggety young kid called Scotty Topper. Scot was a powerful surfer who was one of the best contest performers on the local scene. Below Scotty at Wanda Circa 70’s photo Tim Vanderlaan.

 

Tim Vanderlaan Camera Board 80’s

Tim Vanderlaan is well known around Cronulla for his innovative camera skills and ability on a Mal. Tim began experimenting with homemade camera board built housings in the 80’s here he explains the process.’

“My early 1980’s board cam attempts (pre go pro days) A heavy camera with motor drive, in a even bigger water housing & bolted to the nose of the board, activated by a wire running the length of the board, coiled around the leggie, thro my wettie into a switch in my hand… most times the wire would break as the wire wouldn’t stretch enough with the leg rope resulting in an electrical “short”, a wasted roll of film and being continually zapped by the broken “shorted” wire all the way back to the beach”. Below 2 self portraits using the camera board.

 

 

Frank Latta ’73

Frank Latta was the Southsides main competitive force and most successful rider in the early 70’s. This shot taken at The Bells Beach comp at Easter ’73 by Clearline.

 

Southwave

Plenty of swell  lately, Southwave has been on the spot capturing all the action check out some classic pumping waves at  http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/southwave.surf?fref=ts

The Point

Early 70’s double spread of The Point from Surfing World photo unknown taken by Steve Scherrine.

Peter Glasson

Local shaper and big wave charger Peter Glasson surfing in the NSW State Titles early 70’s photo Geoff Luton.