Norm Casey and Steve Core

Steve Core remembers his early days…..”Kogarah High School. Established 1920. I graduated from there in 1964 – so almost 50 years ago. Brings back some interesting old memories of my early St.George roots in the ’60s when I was in my early teens. This is where I was first introduced to surfing by school mates when we were inspired by the original ‘surf boom’ of the eary sixties and ‘Beach Boys’ music. We used to catch the train from Kogarah to Cronulla to go surfing in the early ’60s and leave our boards at the Cronulla Stor-A-Board for .40¢ a week. I had my first job after school in 1963 working at the Norm Casey Surf Shop on the Princes Highway in Rockdale – about 2Ks away”. Below Norm Caseys Rockdale store logo.

 

Bobby Brown Quasimodo

This shot of Bobby taken at North Cronulla in ’62 by Jack Eden is one of the most iconic Aussie surf pictures of all time. It captures the sixties  in an era known for pulling silly stunts and having a good time. Today this might look ridiculous to the groms but it shows that surfers wernt taking themselves to serious back then and were having a lot more fun. Photos like this by Jack Eden are available to buy online.

 

Dave Shaw and Geoff Doig

If I remember correctly, Dave took this shot at Shark Island of Geoff Doig using his new custom built water housing. It was a vast improvement and up grade on the Nikonos he was renoun for uing in the past. A short time after this shot was captured Dave had his new rig ripped from his hand during a shoot and it was never seen again.

Ross Marshall Road Song

This photo was part of the Surfing World photo Annual called Road Song featuring Ross Marshall and Craig Naylor at Blackrock. It was a huge kick  for the pair of Midway lads who’s profile blew up after the issue came out.

Midway Shack

Bob Weeks photos captured the lifestyle as well as the action in the 60’s. This is Midway with a surfers shack roughly built on the beach.Many of Bobs classic pics are available on the internet to buy.

Benz Bikinis

When the big pro comps came to Cronulla during the 80’s Bikini parades were usually on the agenda and local brand Benz Bikinis featured heavily. Think this was at one of the Beaurapaire event around 85 photo Chris Stroh

Scotty Baxter

Elouera Beach diehard and contest behind the scenes man Mr Scotty Baxter dragged himself away from the Dunny Bowl to sample some Island magic around 1990 photo Chris Stroh

Southern Comfort Surfboards-Early Days

Bruce Weller

Sandshoes regular and Southern Comfort team rider Bruce Weller was a popular and well respected surfer throughout the 70’s. This shot of Bruce  taken at Shoes.

 

 

The Original Southern Comfort Factory.

An old house at 31 Parraweena rd Taren Point was the site of the first Southern Comfort factory. Run by Denny Childs the shaper, Bob Colligan the glasser and Wayne Roach the finisher. The backyard was fully equipped out to meet the growing demand. Photo courtesy of Bruce Weller.